Back to Work page »

Belper Strutt's North Mill Museum

More about this work

Thread:Threading through time

Commissioned by Beam for Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Great Place Scheme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England

Beam website - Illuminating Threads of Belper’s Rich Heritage

L12m x W4m x H2.5m approx.
Loom parts and reed, metal base, 320 old mill bobbins, cotton, wood, 4 speakers, 2 raspberry pi, PIR sensor, LED lighting

Seiko brought together two concepts for this work. The first, “Threading through Time” is a site specific installation combining hundreds of old mill bobbins, cotton thread and a soundscape installed into the historic basement area of Strutt’s North Mill museum in Belper from 18th October – 3 November 2019. Seiko researched and recorded sounds from inside different textile mills, including the Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage Site and Usui Seishi, the largest silk mill in Japan, John Smedley Ltd, and Masson Mills.

Seiko also spoke to people who work and have worked in textile mills, as she is interested in how the rhythm of the machinery stays in people’s minds and how they are remembered. A soundscape made from these recordings plays when triggered by a visitor from 4 surround speakers to create an immersive experience.