Working with Irregularity: Bamboo Weaves

There’s often a tension between human conception and working with natural materials. The ‘random weave’ technique, in particular (involves no plan, fixings, lashing) invites me to just go where the bamboo wants to go.

In architectural terms, bamboo weaves are often called gridshells. And one of their remarkable features is that the irregularity is often stronger than a more geometric form. You could climb on the bamboo structures I’ve built at festivals.

Weaving bamboo – and having no plan – is playful, it’s like a game. It’s very much a flow state: there is constant decision making, but it emerges as the process unfolds. Working with irregularity is like that.

The species choice is important here – Chinese Moso tends to split easily; often use fresher bamboo is the better choice.

Many Asian bamboo artists use weaves (such as Wang Wen-Chih’s sinuous forms). Light also creates great shadow play, adding another dimension.