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Exhibition Nazca – Discovering the world of Andean culture, weaving and wool

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An interactive exhibition organised by Terre des Hommes Suisse and the Peruvian ‘La Florida’ association, with the participation of ‘Traditions pour Demain’ (Traditions for Tomorrow’) and with the support of the Geneva Federation of Cooperation.

Contact 022 737 36 36 to reserve

ArTissages (literally WovenArt)

Peru is renowned for its woven products. Issue of a thousand year old tradition, this sector is at the moment facing serious economic difficulties and needs to find new outlets. The Nazca project was born to help the weavers. Its objectives are to improve the image of textile arts, to make them known and appreciated both as the heritage of an ancestral art and yet as a truly contemporary creation. It also aims at promoting this form of art so as to allow the weavers to support themselves, preferably in their home communities.

WovenArt represents the coming together of artists and weavers, the latter interpreting the designs of the former. True works of art demonstrating the potential creativity of the artisans, effected in sheep’s wool coloured with vegetable dyes and in natural alpaca wool.

Only some of these woven products are presented in the Nazca Exhibition but the complete collection of 25 works may be viewed and ordered on demand. A catalogue is available which explains the steps to follow, as well as containing information about the products, the Artists and the Weavers.

Artisans in the Andes

In addition to its artistic value, weaving is one of many crafts which allow thousands of Peruvian families to survive. Principal activity for many, craftwork is also a source of income which may be supplementary but necessary, especially for small peasant farmers in the mountains. With the support of development programmes in education and healthcare, these financial contributions help to avoid the rural exodus.

To explore these WovenArts, Terre des Hommes Switzerland and La Florida-Peru, together with Traditions for Tomorrow, propose various interactive versions of the exhibition:

  • Discovering WovenArt (La découverte des ArTissages)
  • Wool in all its forms – From fleece to yarn (La laine dans tous ses états)
  • The Andean People – Lifestyles and the socio-economic risks (Les populations andines)