Rafael Kouto creates a futuristic scenario to reflect on the social consequences of the pandemic and the climate. The act of washing clothes, in the context of dyeing techniques of African cultures and the climate-induced melting of glaciers, becomes a central and social action. In this living installation, Kouto continues the "melt and dye" printing technique that he explored at Spazio Lampo in Chiasso in the part 01, curated by Carolina Sanchez. Geometric elements made of ice and textile colour pigments lie on fabric that is dyed as soon as the ice melts. The installation symbolises the village fountain, a central meeting point in many cultures for centuries for washing laundry and dyeing textiles together. In Kouto's project, people meet for the "Melt and Dye" activity and at the same time to see how the coloured ice of the glaciers melts as a result of global warming and changes the world. The installation is constantly changing. The melted ice colours the textiles forever. The textiles show traces of the natural but irreversible process.
With this installation, Rafael Kouto wants to demonstrate that collaborative work needs publicly accessible and usable spaces. It is a plea for cultivating relationships through shared activities, it makes us realise how valuable this is for strengthening social cohesion. Visitors are invited to bring their own used clothes on the opening evening to have them dyed. The dyed clothes can be collected the following day.
In collaboration with: Alonso Studio
Sound installation: Black Fluo
