weavings

One of the wonderful aspects and contributions of the history of humankind - or, at least, one of my favorites - is fabric. This is an odd facet to explore but it is a behavior that distinguishes us from most species (exceptions including for example some spiders and their webs; some species of birds who weave their nests). We humans think of fabric as that which we use to cover and ornament our bodies.  There are tapestries that are embroidered (some, such as Les Tapisseries de Bayeux, recording historical events), and samplers embroidered with numbers and letters and quotations (the fundamental learnings of a schoolchild). There are curtains and altarcloths, blankets, nets, and tents. There are fabrics of plant fibers such as cotton and hemp, and there are fabrics of petroleum such as polyester and rayon. There are fabrics of the fur of various mammals such as goats and sheep, and fabrics of the silk of caterpillars. There is cloth imprinted with fascinating art, fanciful designs, and images of people, buildings, animals, trees, plants, and popular landmarks.

The traits of the weavings - fine and dense or open and rugged - the fascinating weaves and patterns - capture my attention and awe. The colors of the threads and yarns, the soft weight and especially the flow (or drape) of the fabrics make me happy. The delicacy and finesse of the work of tailors and seamstresses can be so remarkable. A simple shirt can be a work of great craft and artistry.

There is something graph paper basic in the physics of weaving that brings up the workings of the universe, the fabric of the dimensions, of time and space. The fabric of the mind and its connections to data entered via our senses, and whatever possible reality that data represents, is a big horizon. Our familiarity with tangible interweavings such as fabric provides a physical analogy that opens our mind.