The “Loom” installation becomes a silhouette-like presence at night

The installation is located on a rocky promontory within the historic Gjirokastra Castle fortress, overlooking the city and the Drin Valley. Its design is inspired by the rich local tapestry tradition.

The installation cleverly borrows the existing structures left over from the original 1968 festival - including an eight-meter-diameter steel hemisphere and a set of independent pillars behind it, which were the core components of the stage set back then. Like the warp threads on a giant loom, several colorful silk strings are intertwined and extended between the columns, arch structures and domes, symmetrically interlacing to create a light and dynamic fabric dome.

The string ceiling between the columns and the main performance area extends the stage into a circular corridor and naturally transitions to the backstage area. This double-sided design not only defines the stage space, but also outlines the backstage, where thousands of dancers and musicians from all over Albania gather, waiting for their moment to take the stage.

The installation’s red hue pays homage to the traditional colors found in carpets and local customs, contrasting sharply with the surrounding landscape. The long strip that extends into the canopy above is treated in a single color, while in the more dense lower area, multiple colors are interwoven into traditional geometric patterns.

The transparency of the installation allows light to penetrate the silk strings, enhancing the dynamic visual hierarchy between the front and backstage, creating an immersive experience that changes over time. During the day, the installation and the landscape blend seamlessly, presenting a smooth and harmonious atmosphere; after nightfall, it transforms into a silhouette-like existence, appearing clear-cut and particularly eye-catching against the night sky.