Isabel Cordeiro

Made of Matter, Formed by Motion  

For a performance in Hotel Maria Kapel in Hoorn, The Netherlands, Isabel Cordeiro developed an unusual network of ropes in the TextielLab. The structure was specially made for a performance piece. In it, Cordeiro and two other artists were suspended in the ropes, along with blocks of frozen Markermeer water which started to melt during the performance. The piece was a reflection on how we are constantly subjected to the gravitational pull that ties us to each other as material bodies and as individuals in this world.

With passementerie expert Elian Beeker, Cordeiro designed three harnesses and 16 sculptural rope works – some up to 20 metres long – on the circular braiding machine. Creative use of this machine produced loops, which were formed into sculptural, three-dimensional shapes. As the performance was aerial, strength was essential. Climbing rope was covered with cotton (16 threads per bobbin) on the braiding machine to give the work the necessary stability as well as a matte appearance. Because almost all the harnesses and rope works were ultimately connected to each other in space, knotting techniques were also used in the production process.

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Photos by Hotel Maria Kapel/Bart Treuren