Nazanin Hedayat Munroe. (c) 2018 Talismanic Kaftan (left) and Talismanic gown

Over the past few years, I have been researching and experimenting with Smart Textiles, fabrics with electronic components that interact with the wearer. My latest body of work includes Wearables, which I construct using digitally printed fabrics and embedding them with programmable LED lights coded using a micro controller, such as Adadfruit Neopixels and Circuit Playground Express.

The “Talismanic Kaftan” (2018) is printed with a Khamsa, a Middle Eastern protective symbol usually made of metal representing a hand, which I have transformed to become a repeat pattern digitally printed on cotton. The wearer of the garment communicates her comfort level with the viewer through the activity of the lights: a steady light means you’re ok, blinking red lights mean you’re too close. Still fine-tuning the code for this one. On view at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY (May 6-28, 2018). 

Detail, Talismanic Kaftan: LEDs changing colors. 

Nazanin Hedayat Munroe. Glowing Garden. (c) 2018. Digital print on cotton, with Neopixels and micro controller.

Nazanin Hedayat Munroe. Talismanic Gown (detail). 2018. Digital print on chiffon and cotton