As sources indicate, string art invented by Mary Everest Boole at the end of the 19th century renders mathematical ideas more accessible to children. It was popularized as a decorative craft in the late 1960s through kits and books.
These days many practice the art as a labor of love and also a means of stunning and entertaining others. But here in Ethiopia it is rarely one gets individuals who practice string art. From such finger counted individuals The Ethiopian Herald has just sat down with a youth to discuss about string art and his life in practicing the art. Excerpts
Herald: Would you tell us about yourself please?
Amanuel: My name is Amanuel Lemi. I was born in Bishoftu /Debrezeit town. After I attended my high school there I came to Arbaminch University to attend my first degree. I have a first degree in civil engineering and also I received my MA degree in the same field from this university. And now I’m a lecturer at Arba Minich University.
Herald: How do you define string art?
Amanuel: String Art is an art which is performed using string, chipboard and nails. There are also two types of string art. The first one is geometrical string art. In this art we can perform the art in triangle and rectangle shapes. It can also allow us to create different pictures through creating circles. This geometrical string art needs some mathematical and architectural touch. It also needs better color selection to make more beautiful art.
A free string art is the second type which allows one to work in any shape. Via this art practitioners give vent to ideas that spawn in their mind.
Herald: How was you got attracted to this art?
Amanuel: I started practicing string art when I was busy and stressed. I was a postgraduate student. I had been watching videos as a pastime and entertainment. Once, I watched a video featuring a man busy in string art .I found the task easy and very much interesting. I immediately downloaded the video and tried to do the same thing. As the saying goes easier said than done doing it was not as easy as simply watching others doing it. I tried to come up with better things practicing the craft again and again. Finally I came up with the same shape in the video. Then I felt happy and started translating the art into practice working on plank and chip wood. Practice makes perfect, so after a long practice I succeeded to blend colors of my choice and managed to explain my ideas.
Herald: Is there any connection between String Art and your profession, engineering? How do you manage to handle both professions together?
Amanuel: Sometimes engineering and String Art have commonalities they share but not always. Geometrical string art presupposes two things visualizing needed geometry and perceiving architectural touch. When it comes to these two there is connection with engineering. But when it comes to the Free String art there is no connection, the picture is already known before it comes to the ground. Accordingly, it is not necessary to be an engineer to engage in String Art. Everyone can enjoy the art.
Herald: How much could you express your feeling and ideas through the art?
Amanuel: Expressing all one’s feelings on geometrical string art has somewhat a limitation because one works in a given shape. But one can express one’s feelings through colors one is using. I give more emphasis to our tricolor. Nonetheless, the free string art is better to express one’s internal ideas as it has not limited shapes. In my String Art, Ethiopia comes to the center stage.
When I engage in a geometric art, I liken things with the Ethiopian flag colors to create a sense of national feeling touch. For instance the design could be a map, leaves or in any other thing, most of the time I try to show my Ethiopia for others. When I engage in the free art, I zero in on my clients’ feeling. It may be a logo or picture or words. If they ask me to do gift artifacts special for birthdays, weddings or other events, I craft the gift as per the prescription.
Herald: When do you work it? Do you have an idea to change your art to a business?
Amanuel: I engage in the art when I have free time. But at this time as the cloud is eclipsed by covid-19 most of us are staying at home. As such we have an opportune moment to do more artistic things. So I’m doing it better than before. And I’m teaching for family members how to do it and how we can generate income from it. It is difficult for me to change my art to formal business as I’m busy due to my professional engagement. So I preferred that teaching my families and I have a plan to open String Art store with my wife and brother and it will happen soon.
Herald: Ethiopian youths are not familiar with String Art. What do you think about it and what should be done?
Amanuel: Yes it is not usual in our community to enjoy the art. But now some are starting to practice it. Still most of the people are not familiar with the art. They think it is difficult .But this art is very easy and enjoyable to practice every day.
Herald: What is your plan for the future regarding the art?
Amanuel: I have two plans down the road. The first one is teaching interested individuals follow suit after acquiring knowledge .The second one is opening a gallery-like store. This enables people to access my handicrafts easily at the shop to beautify their home. I have also a plan to stage exhibition with other professionals and I need to develop the society’s awareness and practice the art as they are familiar with music, painting or other arts.
Herald: At last, do you have anything to add?
Amanuel: Finally, I want to advise your esteemed readers particularly youths that it is necessary to use every access to develop skills. Nowadays, at lots of places there is enough internet access. Not only on arts, if youths use their free time effectively it is possible to create changes in lots of sectors. Short online courses are available for selftraining and if they use social media for positive action, positive changes will not be long in crystalizing. Youths should not shy away from challenging their limits when they come across something new. Instead they should say to themselves “Let me try it” I believe this way they can do their best!
Herald: Thank you very much
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 24/2020
Amanuel: You are welcome.
BYGENET FEKADE
