Tangled Fibers of Being

”Tangled Fibers of Being”, a submission for the 2024 Upcycled Design Competition at the Wilson School of Design partnered with Our Social Fabric is inspired by the theme Gaia. MacFarlane was awarded the “Peoples Choice Award” for her submission “Tangled Fibers of Being”.

Gaia theory suggests that all living organisms on planet Earth contribute to the self-regulating system that sustains Earth’s inhabitable conditions. Where the problem arises is when there is a disruption within this system, causing an imbalance.

Microplastics, more specifically microplastic fibres have caused a shift in nature, the environment and the ecosystems we rely on.

My design intends to bring awareness to the environmental issue that is microplastic fibres; provoking discussion on the effects of human actions. This design aims to contrast fluidity with tension by blending the soft, draped silhouette (symbolizing the beauty of Gaia), with the rough, tangled, irregular fabric (representing the human disconnect to the planet).

The tangled threads among nature contrast those with the unnatural substances becoming one; no longer being able to differentiate one from the other. Similarly to how as humans, we often turn the other way when issues arise causing us to be blindsided from both the cause and the solution. James Lovelock states that “we’ve lost touch with the natural world and are unaware of the changes that happen in it.” My goal with this design is to help others regain connection with our extraordinary home, and all it has to offer, developing mindful awareness towards how we care for it.