Silk Vortex by Akiko Ikeuchi

All images copyright of Akiko Ikeuchi

For over two decades japanese artist Akiko Ikeuchi has been creating room-sized vortices of silk, tying hundreds of small knots in coloured thread to form elaborate gallery installations. Beginning with intricate plans resembling architectural diagrams, ikeuchi first lays a foundation structure using cotton thread. Next, a second layer using fine silk thread is slowly knotted into a mesh, a process that spans nearly a month for an installation such as the one depicted. The resulting artwork straddles a interesting balance, appearing both imposing in scale yet almost completely weightless.