Kirivööd

This series of pieces highlights traditional belts called Kirivööd worn by Estonians to ward off evil and bring good health. 

These pieces have the casted faces of women from different regions of Estonia. The faces are covered by a snow like glass cloth displaying the colorful belt patterns from their region.

Each region of Estonia has their own series of unique patterns written on the belts. This traditional accessory has been traced back hundreds of years and is still honored today during traditional events like folk dancing and festivals. As a foreigner only living in Estonia for several years, adapting to the new culture isn’t always easy. However, I find that understanding long standing traditions is one way to gain connections to the culture of foreign environments.