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Umai Mat by Marina Begman

Umai Mat by Marina Begman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award in Silwer in Meubelontwerp Competition Category.


SilwerMeubels· 2020

Umai Mat

by Marina Begman

Client: Marina Begman

A' Design Award in Silwer Winner in Meubels Category

38,702

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #102374

Colors

The Design

About Umai Mat

Hierdie mat is vervaardig in antieke nomadiese tegnieke, beskerm deur UNESCO se lys van ontasbare kulturele erfenis met dringende veilige bewaring. Dit bring die beste uit wol te danke aan gradiëntwolskakerings en fyn handwerk wat volumetriese tekstuur skep. Hierdie mat is 100 persent met die hand gemaak, en is gemaak van natuurlike skakerings van wol plus geelkleurige kleur met uieskil. 'N Goue draad wat deur die mat gaan, maak 'n verklaring en herinner aan die hare wat vrylik in die wind vloei - hare van die nomadiese godin Umay - beskermer van vroue en kinders.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Silwer

Umai Mat is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Silwer, 'n buitengewoon prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan topklas-, pragtige en indrukwekkende ontwerpe. Wenners in Silwer is geweldig briljante en uiters kreatiewe werke wat die uitstaande kundigheid, talent en skerpsinnigheid van hul ontwerpers illustreer. Daar word verwag dat Umai Mat 'n wonderlike vertoonstuk is wat merkwaardig professioneel en diepgaande innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Silwer gewen het, is 'n hoogs noemenswaardige, bewonderde uitvinding wat die grense van kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie bevoordeel en uitbrei. Umai Mat is 'n wyd beny skepping wat begeertes oproep, positiewe gevoelens bring en verbasing en verwondering wek.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
One hundred percent natural sheep wool hand-felted and hand-stitched, dyed with herbs. Wool texture comes out beautifully through natural color combination and detailed stitching. Using an ancient and rare nomadic technique of rug making, included in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safekeeping, the best of natural material is brought out, making it state of the art rug or wall decoration for modern home
Dimensions & Packaging
3000 mm x 2000 mm x 15 mm
Tags
felt, wool, handmade rug, shyrdak
Production Technology
Creating Hair of Umay is a complex endeavour, following ancient techniques of shyrdak making and research of central asian legends included interviewing the elder women artisans in Naryn. Wool, the primary material, is sheared from sheep in the spring. It is then washed, dried, coloured, and pressed into sheets. The sheets are cut into beautiful patterns and hand stitched together. These patterns are quilted onto a large piece of plain wool base, creating a soft, thick, high-quality carpet.
Design Challenge
The rug is fully hand-stitched, cannot be imitated by a sewing machine. It takes one experienced woman-artisan 3 days to stitch one m2. It takes 6 sheep to make one rug of 3m by 2m size. The whole process is hand-made and very labor intensive.
Research
First, the technique itself was researched. Secondly, the ancient legends of central asian nomads were learned.The technique research included academic research about shyrdak making, traveling to Kyrgyzstan to remote mountainous region Naryn, where this technique is still kept by elder women, interviewing them, as well as participating in shyrdak making to experience and understanding the technique firsthand.
The research of nomadic legends included reading central asian literature and interviewing a university professor on Kyrgyz literature and history.
Inspiration
Inspired by a legend of Turkic and Mongolian people, about ancient goddess Umai - a benevolent spirit, the patroness of children and women. The mother goddess was depicted with golden hair, with a comb-shaped hairstyle. The rug drawing is depicting her loose hair in the wind
Project Duration
A custom rug takes two months to make including delivery. Workshop is located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Operation Flow
It is a piece of art that could decorate your floor or wall.
Also helps with acoustics to limit noise pollution. It retains warmth when it is cold, and keeps a space cool when it is hot. It's antibacterial, and doesn't absorb odours.
Team Members
Aliya Rakhman
Image Credits
Image #1: Photographer Dias Nurmagambetov, Variations, 2020
Image #2: Photographer Dias Nurmagambetov, Variations, 2020
Image #3: Photographer Dias Nurmagambetov, Variations, 2020
Image #4: Photographer Dias Nurmagambetov, Variations, 2020
Image #5: Photographer Dias Nurmagambetov, Variations, 2020

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