In June, Nest opens its doors for a unique collective creation process: Draden van ons Nederlandse slavernijverleden. For five days, work will take place in the exhibition space on a monumental wall tapestry that depicts the colonial slavery history of South Holland. From June 23rd to June 27th everyone can collaborate on this project. Read more about this special week at Nest here.

Today's workshop is lead by Carolien Macnack. Carlien Macnack is an artist and educator specializing in heritage education and participatory methods. She will guide participants in creating the collective textile work, where craftsmanship and shared memories take center stage. No textile experience is needed – interest, attention, and an open mind are central to this workshop.

In collaboration with De Balie On Tour – the traveling platform of the Amsterdam debate and culture center – a public discussion will take place on the role of textiles in shaping and remembering the slavery past.

The central question: why is a tapestry a meaningful medium to depict and question colonial history? The conversation will explore the history of textiles – from cotton as the driving force behind transatlantic slavery to exploitation in today’s global textile industry. It will also address how racism and inequality, which once fueled these systems, continue to influence our society today.