Fiber artist Amanda Triplett worked collaboratively with Art History, Art, and Environmental Science students at Lewis & Clark on the Exquisite Gorge Project II: Section 2 the Spring Semester of 2022. Students were guided by the artist to make data-driven, fiber sculptural elements that would be incorporated under, around, and above the river tapestry created by Amanda. 

Amanda and student artists researched data visualization, looking at data science, artists and cultures who use data as a medium, and environmental data collected directly from the Columbia River. The group consulted with data librarians, environmental science experts, a community organizer and activist, among other experts in their fields. A field trip to Bonneville Dam, while not within Section 2, yielded much information, materials, and inspiration for our artists.

Students then spent time making fiber material experiments from recycled textile scraps, salvaged yarn, and thread. Through knot-making, wrapping, deconstruction, sewing and more, students were asked to push against the boundaries of what they know about fiber arts and play with the materials in new ways. Brainstorms and sketches brought the environmental science data and fiber material experiments together.  Student artists, Brynne Anderson, Melissa Even, Margo Gaillard, Jones Kelly, Haley Ledford and Ella Martin, then created data-driven sculptural textile pieces to go into Section 2.

For Section 2 of the Exquisite Gorge Project II: Fiber Arts, the community of Lewis & Clark came together to create a truly interdisciplinary exploration between art, data, and environment!