I Want to Weave the Weft of Time: The Film

The documentary I Want to Weave the Weft of Time explores the skills, patience, and artistry of Sardinia’s hand weavers, the tessitrici artigianali.

The video features the acclaimed traditional Sardinian handweavers Isa Frongia, her mother Susanna Frongia, and cousin Anna Maria Pirastu, as well as Bruna Cossu, an architect who has returned to Sardinia to reclaim her spirit and learn the art and ways of the tessitrici artigianali.

Traditional hand weaving was nearly lost, and for many years has been invisible and unvalued. This art is thriving in the Frongia women’s unique studio, where the women continue to weave by hand in the ancient pibiones tradition. Their art requires great engineering skill, mathematical ability, patience, and physical dexterity. The textiles they create are unparalleled, and a testament to the Frongia’s skill and commitment to preserving this art form.

The trailer is below; the full film (29 minutes) is available on Vimeo.

(Fai clicca qui per leggere il testo all’Italiano)

If you would like to schedule a screening and director’s talk for your school, weaving guild, store, or group, please contact me.

My heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful original musical score goes to composer Ruth Mendelson and the musicians:

Lauren Passarelli, Guitar
Michael Ripoll Diego, Guitar
Miguel Rodriguez, Guitar
Shawn Tubbs, Guitar
Josquin Des Pres, Bass
Tommy Aros, Drums and Percussion
Lucy Pope, Violin
Beth Welty, Violin
David Siegel, Violin
Diego Mondrogan, Violin
Neo, Vocals
Ruth Mendelson, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards

Note: I’m working on other films, short and longer, featuring other weavers. Find some shorts posted on individual pages under Meet the Artists. Some shorts are not yet released, as the artists featured have requested that I expand the film to include their colleagues. And I sometimes post “beach meditations” and other footage of Sardinia in the News and Events section.