The twine
The limit- borderline in my artwork is represented with the use of twine, which is
made of hemp (cannabis plant), a material which has been one of the most
important plants to humans since 8000 BC until the early 20th century. The origins of
hemp are considered to be traced in central Asia, from where it spread throughout
the world. Today, this material has over 25,000 ways of use.
Hemp has been used for thousands of years for food and clothing, as an energy
source but also as a therapeutic agent and euphoric. Most
fabrics and textiles from this material were found in
clothing, linens, towels, sheets, blankets, carpets, tents,
diapers and more, until the late 19th.
The history of hemp in Greece begins since the antiquity, as
it is believed that Greeks were taught the cultivation of the
cannabis plant and the fiber processing technique by their
Eastern neighbors. We find the first early references to
cannabis in the 5th century BC in the writings of
Herodotus,
the
"father
of
history".
Through these details we are informed that the ancient
Greeks cultivated cannabis and used it as a raw material in the manufacture of
sailcloth, ropes and fabrics of all kinds, as well as a therapeutic agent.
Since 1936, the year that cannabis prohibition was enforced in Greece under the
American influence in the anti-drug campaign, the cultivation of hemp began to be
gradually abandoned. The many advantages and diverse applications made hemp a
considerable competitor to the products of many rival industries (petroleum,
alcohol, tobacco, chemical drugs, paper, etc.), and for this reason it was decided to
be banned worldwide. While the hemp processing remained widespread locally, in
the form of the cottage industry in order to meet the needs of daily use, quickly
passed into oblivion since the 60s onwards. Thus, the Greek hemp factories gradually
were led into bankruptcy.
Recently, funding initiatives have been initiated in some countries for the cultivation
of hemp. Through its long history it can be understood that hemp is a plant, a
material good, that has had a special treatment for economic and political reasons.
The benefits of this plant are many. Initially, it can be cultivated everywhere and
reach suitable dimensions within months, and additionally it can be processed into
many products. In 1930 "the Federal Office for Drugs” was established in America
and until 1932 the pharmaceutical industry was able to produce massive amounts of
chemicals. In 1933 the Prohibition was lifted and alcohol began to be sold again
freely. Finally, at the same period there was massive introduction of petrochemical
products and nylon in the market due to the growth of industries.
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