Susana Mattanó – Argentina

The Attributes of Number 3

Category: Traditional

Description

Fusion is not only connection but also interaction with passion. The result of diferent elements playing toghether in the creation of a new meaning. For me, the concept of fusion can be describe through the attibutes of number 3 because it “resonates with the energies of optimism and joy, inspiration and creativity, speech and communication, good taste, imagination and intelligence, sociability and society, friendliness, kindness and compassion. Number 3 also relates to art, humour, energy, growth, expansion and the principles of increase, spontaneity, broad-minded thinking, synthesis, triad, heaven-human-earth, past-present-future, thought-word-action, demonstrates love through creative imagination, comprehensive, fulfilment, encouragement, assistance, talent and skills, culture, wit, a love of fun and pleasure, freedom-seeking, adventure, exuberance, brilliance, free-form, being brave, non-confrontational, free-form, rhythm, passion, surprise, sensitivity, self-expression, affability, enthusiasm, youthfulness, enlivenment, psychic ability, manifesting and manifestation.(…) The Number 3 symbolizes the principles of growth. When the initiating force of 1 unites with the germinating energy of 2, there is fruitfulness = 3, the Trinity. 3 signifies that there is a synthesis present-that imagination and an outpouring of energy is in action.The ‘thought’ of 1 and the ‘fertility’ of 2 results in the ‘creativity’ of 3.”1

In my piece number 3 is present through 3 brims; 3 colours (black, purpure, pink); 3 kind of straw(sinamay, silk, lace); 3 kind of ribbons (satin, grosgrain and herringbone ribbon) and 3 contintents where supplies and blocks come from (South America: Argentina; Europa: London; Oceania: Australia). Fusion -connection and interacation- can be seen in complementary colours too (body hat and trim). As 3 was considered the number of harmony, wisdom and understanding and the number of time as Past Present Future / Birth Life Death / Beginning Middle End it resumes the whole process of hatting.

Materials

• natural silk chantú
• satin straw
• sinamay straw
• buckram
• herringbone ribbon
• grosgrain ribbon
• peacock feathers
• sewing thread
• wire
• elastic bias
• satin bias

Techniques

• Crown: buckram as base/ straw with piped technique in crown/ lined /internal finish with grosgrain head band.
• Brims made with stiffened sinamay and straw with buckram wired and binded. Connecting technique of both. Binding technique (satin bias) on brims and herringbone ribbon sew with hand stitches.

Tools

• Crown block
• brim block
• needles N° 7
• thimble
• scissors
• sewing machine