Angeles Jacobi is featured in the New Voices series, which highlights emerging artists who showcase their art on ArtConnect.

As threads become undone, metaphors are intertwined in the experimental work of Angeles Jacobi. Expanding the field of textile art, Jacobi creates moving pieces whose carefully choreographed elements reflect both the intricacy of life and the meandering lines between past and future.

Jacobi’s work is characterized by an unusual yet striking element: a motorized spindle-like mechanism that gradually unwinds the fibers of each textile piece as it slowly turns. By incorporating duration and ephemerality into her work, Jacobi introduces elements which are not traditionally present within the field of textile art. Harnessing the impact of metaphor, Jacobi’s artworks become visual representations of vast themes such as the passage of time or the process of digitization. When exhibited, viewers are invited to perceive Jacobi’s work at different stages of its evolution. At the end of the process of unraveling, de-threaded tableaus stand next to wound-up balls of yarn; the materials themselves are granted new meaning and the chance of taking on a different form, thereby entering into another cycle. As the spindle turns and the textile unravels, Jacobi’s ephemeral and experimental artworks serve as poignant reminders of our own mortality, as well as the beauty and complexity of life itself.

To give our readers a chance to get to know this emerging artist, Angeles was invited to be interviewed on ArtConnect Magazine.

Could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Who are you as an artist?

I'm an interdisciplinary artist based in Berlin. My practice revolves around the use of textiles, embroidery, and weaving, which I combine with a spindle-shaped mechanism to create works that slowly unravel over time. This technique allows me to explore themes of ephemerality, change, and rebirth in my pieces. Through my art, I aim to challenge the boundaries between different disciplines and explore the ways in which art can bridge the gap between the past and the future.

I know your work has some connection to your childhood. Can you describe to our readers what you call your “childhood obsession” and the role it plays in your work?

I remember as a child being fascinated with watching the threads of my sweaters unravel. Despite my parents telling me not to unravel my clothes, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the process of things coming undone. This childhood memory stayed with me and inspired me to create my own work that unravels over time.

“Through my art, I aim to challenge the boundaries between different disciplines and explore the ways in which art can bridge the gap between the past and the future.”

You coined the term “unembroidering.” What does this term mean to you and what is its significance to your work?

"Unembroidering" is a term I came up with to describe the process of unraveling my textile pieces. It's a way for me to explore the concept of time and its passage, as well as to challenge the traditional notion of embroidery as a fixed, unchanging art form. 
Through the process of unembroidering, I'm able to create pieces that are in a constant state of change and evolution, reflecting the impermanence of life itself.

Can you walk us through your artistic process? What goes through your mind as you weave or embroider your pieces, and then finally witness their process of unraveling?

When I create my works, I always keep in mind that change is a natural part of life, and that nothing stays the same forever. I use this concept as a starting point for my artworks, and the unembroidering technique plays a significant role in this. Not only does it represent the idea of change and transformation, but it also creates a new form, almost back to its original shape, that is beautiful in its own right. This cycle of creation, transformation, and rebirth is something that deeply inspires me.

 As I work on my pieces, I'm constantly thinking about the layers of meaning that I want to convey. Once the piece is completed, and the unembroidering process begins, I experience a range of emotions, from excitement to apprehension. I never know exactly what the final result will be, but that unpredictability is what makes the process so fascinating to me. In the end, witnessing the unraveling process is like seeing a new creation emerge from the old, and it reminds me that even as things change and come to an end, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful to arise.

When did you move to Berlin and what inspired that move? How has it been for your artistic path?

I moved to Berlin in 2015, drawn by the city's vibrant arts scene and its history of innovation and creativity. Being in Berlin has allowed me to connect with other artists and explore new ideas and techniques that have influenced my artistic path.

I want to ask about a specific artwork of yours, Too Many Things in Between, But I Am Sure We Will Make it Through. What inspired this work? Why did you choose to incorporate sculpture and how did it influence the choreography of this piece?

Too Many Things in Between, But I Am Sure We Will Make it Through was inspired by the idea of navigating through obstacles and challenges in life. I chose to incorporate sculpture to add a three-dimensional aspect to the piece and create a sense of movement and interaction between the different elements. The addition of sculpture influenced the choreography of the piece by introducing a physicality and weight to the unraveling process. It was a great experience to add a new discipline to my work, and it allowed me to expand my creative process and explore new possibilities for my art.

To what extent does your art represent your personal experiences? How can art give meaning to our lives?

My art represents my personal experiences in a metaphorical way. It's a way for me to explore my own thoughts and emotions, but also to connect with others who might relate to the themes I'm exploring. I believe that art can give meaning to our lives by helping us to reflect on our experiences and find new ways of understanding them.

To follow on from the last question, in your work, duration and ephemerality combine with the metaphor-richness of weaving to create complex moving pieces. Can art ever take on a life of its own?

Yes, I believe that art can take on a life of its own. When I create a piece that has the potential to change over time, it becomes something that's not entirely under my control. It's a living, evolving thing that can take on new meanings and interpretations depending on the viewer's experience of it.

“Witnessing the unraveling process is like seeing a new creation emerge from the old, and it reminds me that even as things change and come to an end, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful to arise.”

2023 has been a big year for your art practice. Has there been a highlight for you so far?

2023 has been a great year for my art practice so far. I've had several exhibitions and collaborations that have allowed me to showcase my work to a wider audience and connect with other artists and creatives. One of the highlights of 2023 so far has been my solo exhibition "Sobre Límites y Fronteras" (About Limits & Boundaries) at Uno + Uno in Buenos Aires. I had the opportunity to display some of my newer works and collaborate with some amazing artists while also meeting many wonderful people.

What’s next for you? Anything exciting coming up?

As for what's next, I am currently working on some new pieces that I'm excited to share with the world, and I'm also exploring the possibility of future exhibitions and collaborations both in Berlin and internationally.

See more of Angeles’ work

Website | Instagram | ArtConnect

Interview by Ollie Dougherty

New Voices highlights emerging artists who showcase their unique perspectives and innovative techniques on ArtConnect. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you would like to be featured in a personal interview on ArtConnect Magazine, read through the open call and apply here.