"Boroboro II" Kite by Michael Thompson

Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.

This kite entitled "Boroboro II" is patterned with a patchwork of Japanese cotton fabric scraps, including darkly saturated indigos, woven ikats, and simple stripes and plaids. The kite's design recreates the traditional practice of Boro stitching, wherein the usable portions of worn-out fabrics are carefully mended and stitched together to create new and unexpected textiles. More than just a cost-saving measure, Boro stitching lovingly honors the original materials by giving them new life. The title references the Japanese term "boroboro," meaning something tattered or repaired.

Thompson has earned an international reputation for his kite works, an engrossing project initiated by the artist more than a decade ago.

Split bamboo, muslin, cotton, thread.