INDIGO RESEARCH RESIDENCY

applications due April 30th

Overview

Tatter Library & the Pratt Dye Garden invite Pratt faculty and graduate students to apply for a 1 month (research component) & 3 day (workshop component) residency exploring indigo's profound cross-cultural significance and diverse traditional dyeing methodologies. This unique opportunity allows scholars to investigate the global diaspora of indigo knowledge while engaging with primary materials in our specialized textile collections and culminates in a special workshop with master dyer Aboubakar Fofana at the Pratt Dye Garden.

This residency may complement or extend applicants' existing scholarly or creative work, offering new perspectives and research directions.

Residency Details

Duration: 4 weeks preceding workshop (May/ June)
Location: Tatter Library with culminating workshop at Pratt Dye Garden
Eligibility: Open to Pratt faculty and graduate students

Library Access: Library research will be conducted during regular library business hours - 11am to 5pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and every other Saturday within the month leading up to the workshop.

Research Focus

Applicants are encouraged to develop their own research questions around indigo's cultural significance and technical applications. Below are suggested research tracks that might inspire your proposal, though we welcome innovative approaches beyond these examples:

Global Circulation and Cultural Exchange

Historical trade routes and cross-cultural exchange of indigo practices
Regional variations in fermentation, reduction, and application techniques
Material artifacts and textile traditions centered around indigo dyeing

Environmental Approaches and Sustainability

Environmental implications and sustainable practices in natural indigo cultivation
Regional adaptations to local ecosystems and plant varieties
Integration of traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary practice

Social History and Cultural Reclamation

Colonial exploitation and post-colonial reclamations of indigo knowledge
Material culture as expression of identity and resistance
Contemporary revival movements and knowledge preservation efforts

Culminating Workshop Options

Applicants should direct their research proposal toward one of the following workshop options with Aboubakar Fofana, which will influence the focus and outcomes of their residency:

Workshop Option 1: Shades of Indigo Workshop

Available Dates (choose one):

Option A: June 3rd – 5th, 2025, 10am – 4pm EST Daily

Option B: June 7th – 9th, 2025, 10am – 4pm EST Daily

In this indigo workshop, Aboubakar Fofana focuses on powdered indigo and setting up a fructose vat. Over three days, participants will learn environmentally friendly techniques and how careful preparation results in a deep beautiful vat, ready for dipping. This workshop explains the unique chemistry of indigo and principles of setting up and caring for a vat. Participants will then dye a set of color gradation samples with Aboubakar's assistance. The workshop will include several large indigo vats of different strengths to achieve different tones, with instruction on the basics of dipping a gradation of hues. Participants will come away with the knowledge to create and maintain their own vats and achieve the best results with this ancient and singular dye-stuff.

Workshop Option 2: Black Dye Workshop

Dates: June 27th – 29th, 2025, 10am – 4pm EST Daily

Aboubakar Fofana's inaugural Black Dye Workshop is a rare opportunity to learn to achieve this elusive color while exploring an ancient Malian tradition steeped in spiritual cosmology. In this immersive workshop, Aboubakar Fofana, a revered artist and natural dyer, unveils his techniques that harmonize the vibrant essence of indigo with the rich, earthy character of mud from the Niger River in Mali. His approach is not merely about dyeing fabric—it is a profound cultural exchange that invites you to explore the alchemy of nature and tradition.

*If your research and availability applies to either Option 1 or Option 2, please indicate this in your application

Program Highlights

Access to Tatter Library's specialized textile collections and research materials
Weekly supported research sessions with TATTER’s library team
Culminating workshop with renowned indigo master Aboubakar Fofana
Opportunity to develop original research with material outcomes
Opportunity for research results to exist permanently in the Tatter Library archive
Online publication of research findings on The Fold, Tatter Library’s blog, in the form of a 500 word blog post with accompanying images. Tatter photographer available to photograph material results
Integration of research into Pratt academic community and your existing body of work

Application Requirements

CV/Resume (max 2 pages)
Research proposal (500-750 words) outlining:
- State your speculative research questions and goals
- Outline your proposed interest or approach
- Identify which culminating workshop aligns with your research
- Describe your envisioned deliverables (conceptual pieces, articles, etc.)
- Explain how this connects to your existing work or interests
Timeline for completing your proposed project by Monday, September 1st

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Originality and significance of proposed research
Feasibility within the timeframe
Connection to indigo's cultural histories and diasporic contexts
Alignment with chosen workshop focus
Potential for meaningful deliverables and contributions to scholarship
Interdisciplinary approach and methodological innovation

Important Dates

Application Deadline: [April 30]
Notification of Acceptance: [May 2]
Tatter Residency Period: May 3-June 2, 2025 or May 26- June 26 (one month prior to workshop)
Culminating Workshops:
- Shades of Indigo Workshop: June 3rd–5th or June 7th–9th, 2025
- Black Dye Workshop: June 27th–29th, 2025

How to Apply

Submit all application materials as a single PDF to prattdyegarden@gmail.com with the subject line "Indigo Research Residency Application - [Your Name]"

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