Burke Residency 14: Nin Studio

EMMA: Hi Britt! I’ve very much enjoyed delving into the world of Nin Studio and am pleased to be able to send some questions along your way. Thank you for taking the time to commune with me! Could you introduce yourself to our readers and share the story of Nin Studio?

BRITT: Hi Emma, it's my pleasure to delve in with you <3. I am Brittany Maton and I founded the project about 4 years ago when I lived in San Francisco. Nin started when I became interested in the creative process of turning energy into form and sharing that with others. The first 2 years of the project I focused primarily on sculpture and then moved into clothing.

E: You describe Nin Studio as a “concept project inspired by primordial intuition,” I’d love to hear you elaborate more on how you understand primordial intuition and how you see it expressing itself in your work.

B: This is one of my favorite topics but one that is so abstract to define in words. I feel every being has an essence, something that is unique and that allows us to be more connected to ourselves and each other. I think primordial intuition is an instinct of the soul.

In the act of intuitive creation I am working to share a unique message and hope that through this, human, planetary and cosmic connections can be made. I aim for the pieces to have a feeling of deep belonging inside them so the wearer feels safe, understood and in line with their inner essence as well.

E: You approach Nin Studio from the perspective of an artist—could you talk a bit about the relationship you see between art and clothing as well as the intention you have in bringing textiles and ceramics together?

B: Art is a beautiful attempt to see our true selves in our most raw form; the project attempts to communicate an honest perspective. The more honest the work is, the more it connects to other beings.

The two aspects of fabric and ceramic are leading me to look at the ritual in objects and to experience the alchemy that happens in the making of them; Nin allows me to share this conversation with others, through the process of creating in form we find connection that is formless.

I am still understanding how the textile and ceramic go together, they haven’t woven together yet but I sense that they will, I look forward to sharing that.

E: I find a remarkable crispness present in your vision of the organic and I’m wondering if you could talk about your perspective on shape, lines, and forms in your designs. How do you approach these things in terms of clothing the body?

B: It's important to my work and intention that it doesn’t come from the mind but comes from literally the body and hand communication with form. It’s a very hands-on process and I think this is fundamental to it being organic.

The creative process is usually to recycle inspiration from the past, current and future to make something connected in the moment. This inspiration can sometimes come up out of nowhere and sometimes I will see something that triggers the need to explore it and understand it in my own way; this guides the initial sculpture and then is followed by how it functions with the body and the aesthetics of it.

E: Nin Studio expresses an inquisitive soulfulness and I’m wondering if sustainability is connected to this intuitive sense of spirituality. Could you share your approach to sustainability and how it relates to Nin’s larger expressiveness?

B: I love how you worded this question. I think we were all born with the understanding of sustainability but as we develop in ego we get lost in form and all work to return again to the true reality of sustainability.

The project is about the transformation of matter, so sustainability and the recycling of energy is a key part of how the project expresses itself. The act of creating is something I do believe is a sustainable thing for the human spirit, perhaps it's something that is a necessity for our species.  In the crisis that we face we are constantly asked to sensitize ourselves to how we act and how we create. How are we receiving and giving and are these paths and outcomes sustainable?

I try to create a community/network that has a foundation of support, love and sharing. This can be from within my team to the small businesses that I source the fabric from.

Another key element in the approach is to not force anything but to keep in line with the natural flow of things. This also means not rushing and not controlling too much. I think this is a lesson we are all trying to learn as a species, how can we monetarily work in a sustainable way and still exist in the capitalistic / industrialized systems? It can be pretty overwhelming and difficult at times but it's beautiful to know we are all in some way a part of this collective struggle.

E: A concern for storytelling and communication seems to resound throughout your work with Nin Studio—there seems to be an exploration into how we understand, inhabit, and convey the various dimensions of lived experience. Does this resonate with you? If so, I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have here.

B: Yes, definitely. I believe that creativity is a shared language that can transcend limitations around and within us. We are all just energy and the world of form is illusion, in hinduism we are living in the world of Maya - illusion. In moments of understanding these boundaries become a lot more malleable and our interconnection to other living beings and energies become a lot more obvious.

E: To end on a more personal note, what other curiosities or pleasures have you been exploring lately outside of your work with Nin?

B: I recently purchased a Sudoku book! I am enjoying having a cup of tea or coffee and problem solving on paper and not in real life haha. Also the act of cooking and sharing food and wine with a close one has been a grounding source of connection during these times. I have been sleeping a lot this week and am learning to explore dreamscapes; the dream world is something so exciting and fascinating to me! Usually I explore water themed activities in my dreams.

E: Britt, thank you again. I’m looking forward to encountering Nin Studio at Burke!

B: Thank you for having me! I am so excited to share the pieces with the Burke community!

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