ABOUT

For the summer of 2012 I was awarded an undergraduate research grant from Washington University in St. Louis to study textiles in South East Asia. 

The Research
My goal this summer is to research textile manufacturing, design and costs in South East Asia. It will begin with several weeks of research here in the United States where I will be researching in local libraries through books and dissertations. After I have gained a sufficient background knowledge on the basics of textiles in S.E. Asia, from June 25 to July 24, I will travel to Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap) Vietnam (Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi, Halong City), Laos (Luang Prabang), Burma (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay) and Thailand (Bangkok). By the end of the trip I will know how a textile is made, beginning to end, in each area and the history and influences behind the differing designs.

By making the connections between South East Asian cultures and their traditional textiles—along with how they have changed over the course of time, outside influences and economic growth—understanding of the inner-workings of their arts and other manifestations of their beliefs can be achieved on a more dynamic, and one could argue deeper, level then other research has proven to provide. The impact of tourism will not go unnoticed- and making conclusions about it’s effects on these cities will provide insight into the impact of travel and capitalism in these South East Asian countries.

SparkNotes- 

I'll be romping around SE Asia and studying textiles- how they differ between countries and how traditional designs have been changed for the modern clientele.