Woven Together: the looms across CMU
Something that caught my eye this semester is a set of looms that have appeared on campus. They sprang up over the summer and were connected with our orientation efforts. CMU used the theme “Woven Together” as part of the program this year.
It's interesting because it works on many levels. Literally, we are nicknamed The Tartans, which is a twilled woolen fabric with a plaid design. And while the Carnegie Mellon mascot is a Scottish terrier, the dog is always wearing a tartan scarf or jacket..
From a fabric and textile perspective, this theme works well. It also resonates when thinking about interdisciplinarity and the highly international composition of our university. The theme "Woven Together" symbolizes how diverse threads—representing different cultures, disciplines, and perspectives—interlace to create a unified community. The looms provide a physical and symbolic representation of this concept.
The theme highlights how various aspects of our identities—such as culture, gender, and academic interests—overlap and influence our experiences. In a global community like ours, the intertwining of these identities fosters a more inclusive and dynamic environment.
In terms of interdisciplinarity, "Woven Together" reflects how different academic disciplines can collaborate and explore complex problems. Just as threads of different colors and textures combine to create intricate patterns, interdisciplinary efforts can lead to breakthroughs that wouldn't be possible within isolated fields.
The idea
I was able to talk with Charlie Hymowitz, one of the lead orientation counselors, and I asked him about the looms. I was curious how the idea emerged. He noted that the concept was sparked by a fellow classmate who had created the weaving machines for one of her courses. When he saw a community loom positioned in an open area at the center of campus, Charlie thought it could be an interesting installation for orientation week.
He provided me with this blurb about the artist and her work:
“Hazel Froling is a senior in architecture and is interested in crafts as a means of creating social connections across campus. She started this project last spring with hopes of building community during finals week and is so excited that the orientation counselors have incorporated it into orientation week. By bringing together students from all over campus, the project fosters a shared sense of belonging, collaboration, and calm through mindful, hands-on work. Hazel hopes this project highlights that however you may be feeling during this week of immense change, you are not alone.”
