Hypnopompic Rug Collection by Kustaa Saksi

‘Blood Brothers’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 241 x 170 cm

‘Herbarium of Dreams’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 243 x 170 cm

‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 243 x 170 cm

‘Arachne’s Web’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 234 x 170 cm

‘Arbor Vitae’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 245 x 170 cm

‘Snowy Owl’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 244 x 170 cm

‘Chirp, Chirp’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 244 x 170 cm

‘In the Fish Trap’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 243 x 170 cm

‘Herbarium of Dreams’ (2013). Limited edition of 6 / Jacquard Weave 243 x 170 cm

‘Hypnopompic’ by Finnish designer Kustaa Saksi is a collection of eight limited edition jacquard woven tapestries developed and produced in the TextielMuseum Tilburg’s own TextielLab. In many ways, these rugs are like fairytales for adults, inspired by a member of Saksi’s family who suffers from hypnopompic hallucinations – a state of sensory confusion leading out of sleep, when the state of awakening gets mixed with the dream world into a surreal reality.

Saksi’s designs lend themselves perfectly to the term ‘psychedelic’ in their use of abstract imagery and colour. On another level these surreal landscapes also refer to optical art, as Saksi explains: ‘The vivid textures and colours create new, radiant, psychedelic worlds.’

Through his medical research, Saksi has managed to link the state of ‘hypnopompic hallucinations’ with a view of the history of art and design. ‘I refer to scientific studies of the subject in my search for inspiration,’ he says. ‘The hypnopompic state has also been affiliated with visual delusions caused by migraine. These graphic patterns, designs and textures are thought to have contributed to the traditions of ornamentation, mosaic and textile.’