Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Manuel Wandl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Manuel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In February 2020, as part of an ongoing project by the University of Applied Arts Vienna Austria and the private art- and cultural association Nubuke Foundation in Ghana, the development and implementation of a weaving device were carried out. The project idea originated from the artist and co-founder Kofi Setordji, who focused on improving working conditions and standardizing the quality of fabric production for weavers in northern Ghana. My colleague Christoph Kaltenbrunner and I were dispatched by the university for this purpose. The on-site field research, planning, and implementation were conducted with the assistance of local professionals and craftswomen. Two prototypes were realized within a 6-day period. This project posed a challenge for me in terms of my profession as a artistic weaver, as it was the first time I had to address different aspects of weaving, such as operation, implementation, health considerations, and technical device manufacturing. I particularly enjoyed collaborating with other craftsmen to work towards a common goal. I believe the most crucial aspect was being able to implement something that could make their work easier and potentially have a social impact.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For over 20 years, I have been engaged in textile art, primarily focusing on weaving. I teach hand weaving at the University of Applied Arts and the vocational art school Herbststrasse, both located in Vienna. My artistic and academic research also revolves around weaving, with a particular emphasis on the diverse approaches and methodologies found in various cultures and eras.

In national and international projects, I strive to employ my knowledge and skills in a culturally inclusive manner. Examples of this include art exhibitions in collaboration with Khristina Vysotskaya in Belarus, Aboubakar Fofana in Mali, and, as mentioned earlier, in Ghana. In my home country of Austria, I initiate art exhibitions, art festivals, and actively participate in various networks.

Another area that drives me to diverse artistic endeavors is the theme of sustainability and the appreciation of craftsmanship and materials. In the realm of design, I aim to highlight the value of materials. One project I recently initiated is KapuJeans, a denim label where I rework worn-out pants and jackets, placing them in new contexts.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To be curious and open. I believe that in our society today, there is too little time given to things that bring us happiness and contentment. I often observe at exhibitions that people walk through without really looking, as if scrolling through Instagram and eagerly awaiting something better, faster, or more impressive. In doing so, they miss out on what they have actually already overlooked. However, for artists and creatives, it’s precisely about these details, taking forever to tell a story. It’s not about quick profit – that can be done in the stock market (or not). It’s about emotion and narratives, like the fairy tales we were read as children that continue to resonate, even though we may have lost our belief in fairy tales long ago.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Making things with textiles, like weaving, has lots of possibilities. At first, you just have an idea, but that idea helps you decide many things. You think about what material to use, how it should feel, how it looks, what it can do, what feelings it should show, if it can shine or move, if it’s big or small, thick or thin, and more. These questions are often hard to answer in the beginning. Each project is like going on an adventure. You learn things, get new ideas, or find new ways to solve problems. It might feel like a lot when you think about all these things, but in the end, it’s nice when what you imagined becomes real. My goal in this adventure is simply to go on the adventure itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freeweaver.art
• Instagram: free.weaver
• Other: www.kapujeans.art

Image Credits
Manuel Wandl