Artist transforms forest into immersive textile experience
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In Misiones, Argentina, artist Julieta Rodríguez collaborated with local weavers to create “Selva Sentida” (Felt Jungle), a textile installation that recreates the sensations of the rainforest.
Rodríguez, who grew up in Misiones, sought to bring the memories of the forest, its sounds, humidity, and layered landscape, into an artistic space. She and the weavers spent 400 hours using techniques like macramé and crochet to transform cotton and organic wool into an enveloping artwork. The installation debuted at UNE, Espacio Abierto.
Ciudad Natural in Posadas, turning a walkway into an immersive experience. Rodríguez aimed to evoke the feeling of being surrounded by the forest before understanding it, using layers of interwoven threads to represent the forest canopy, undergrowth, and the hidden life beneath the surface. She views the threads not as representations of plants, but as a physical manifestation of the memories the forest left within her.
Currently in Japan researching algae for use in biological textiles, Rodríguez continues to explore the connections between natural landscapes and artistic expression from her design studio, Perleea. She emphasizes the importance of manual work and circular economy principles in her practice, collaborating with artisans to create sustainable and meaningful pieces that reflect her personal history and the enduring influence of the Misiones rainforest.
