Hannah Auerbach George
Past Futures: Regenerated Protein Fibres in the Archive
Conducted in collaboration with the V&A, this research focuses on 'forgotten technologies' held within archive collections specifically. Using a mixed-methods approach of fibre analysis and documentary evidence the project will uncover further examples of these fibres, re-establish their place in the historical record, and apply the material knowledge gained to contemporary textile development. A wider methodology of using models from history to inform current discourses on sustainability is applied to develop new insights into collective material knowledge. This project builds upon Hannah's previous research fellowship with the V&A, titled 'Rethinking Material Resources', which explored the archival collections through the lens of sustainable material knowledge.
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Biography
Hannah Auerbach George is a LAHP funded CDA PhD student based in the Material Science Research Centre at the Royal College of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Originally trained in woven textile design, Hannah pairs her contemporary knowledge of the textiles industry and skills as a maker with a strong research interest in historical technologies and their application to current discourses on sustainability. Hannah is a lecturer in Textile Design at the University of the Arts London, Norwich University of the Arts and Winchester School of Art.
Degrees
MA Textile Design, Royal College of Art, 2013–15.
BA Textile Design, Winchester School of Art, 2010–13.
Exhibitions
Future Fabrics Expo, Innovations, 2023
Publications
Auerbach George, H., Tregenza, L., Stenton, M., Kapsali, V., Blackburn, R. S., Houghton, J. A. (2023) ‘Challenging perceptions of fast and slow in contemporary fashion: A review of the paper dresses trend in the United Kingdom and the United States during the 1960s’. International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, 2 (1), pp. 29-52. DOI: 10.1386/sft_00019_1
Auerbach George, H., Stenton, M., Kapsali, V., Blackburn, R. S., Houghton, J. A. (2022) ‘Referencing Historical Practices and Emergent Technologies in the Future Development of Sustainable Textiles: A Case Study Exploring “Ardil”, a UK-Based Regenerated Protein Fibre’. Sustainability, 14 (14). DOI: 10.3390/su14148414
Auerbach George, H. (2022) ‘Peanuts in the archive: Imperial Chemical Industries, Tibor Reich and the British Industries Fair’. V&A blog.