TRAME is pleased to announce the release of Desert Threads, a limited-edition collection of tapestries and rugs created by celebrated algorithmic artists IX Shells, Linda Dounia, and Fingacode.
In October 2023, TRAME invited the three artists on a research trip to Morocco to explore the country’s centuries-old craft traditions. Immersed in the heritage of Berber textiles, they collaborated with artisans to translate these traditions through the lens of generative design. The result is a collection that unites the precision of algorithms with the timeless artistry of Moroccan tapestry.
Comprising three series of 29 works, Desert Threads reimagines the possibilities of textile design. Each piece is a dialogue between code and craft, merging bold algorithmic visions with ancestral techniques. The works transcend simple categorization as textiles; they are living exchanges, weaving threads of innovation and tradition, past and future. Together, they form a striking body of work that highlights how technology and heritage can meaningfully coexist.
“The Desert Threads collections bridge code and craft, using generative design to celebrate diverse voices from the African diaspora and inspire young people across Africa to see themselves in a global creative future. For me, with my Moroccan roots, this journey is deeply personal—it’s about honoring tradition while embracing generative algorithms to show how heritage and innovation can thrive together. Our hope is that this work reaches beyond borders, sparking connection, craftsmanship, and creativity in a world that’s changing fast,” says Ismail Tazi, Founder of TRAME.
With Desert Threads, TRAME continues its mission to connect global artists with heritage artisans, creating collectible design that lives at the intersection of craft and technology. Developed with Art Blocks technology, the project not only honors Moroccan textile traditions but also expands the language of generative design, offering a new vision for how art, culture, and innovation can be woven together.
The collection is already 50% sold and available now at trameparis.com.
About the Artists
Ix Shells (Itzel Yard) is a Panamanian-based new media artist who explores sound, generative art, and the interplay between the two. With a background in architectural technology and a passion for digital aesthetics, her work merges intuition, emotion, and computational precision.
Linda Dounia is a Senegalese-Lebanese artist based in Dakar whose work examines the intersections of craft and technology. Her artistic practice spans acrylic, pastels, video, GANs, and programming languages like p5.js. Her themes delve into solarpunk ideals, decolonization, and the philosophical dimensions of techno-capitalism.
Fingacode (Junior Ngoma, born in Cameroon and based in the UK, is a multidisciplinary
artist and software engineer. His work merges bold visual elements with cultural inspiration, using generative motion graphics and algorithmic processes to celebrate ancestral heritage.
About Trame
TRAME is a gallery and creative design studio creating unique limited-edition objects that bridge the digital and physical worlds by pairing time-honored craft with technology. Collaborating with algorithmic artists, product designers, and artisans, TRAME transforms code into material form, advancing contemporary design through a dialogue between tradition and innovation. Visit trameparis.com and follow TRAME on Instagram @trameparis.
About Art Blocks
Art Blocks is the leading platform and engine for generative art, founded in 2020 by Erick “Snowfro” Calderon. Created by artists worldwide, Art Blocks collections have been collected by leading international museums and cultural institutions. Through its platform and technology, Art Blocks unites artists, blockchain technology, and collectors to foster individuality, community expression, and groundbreaking creativity. Visit artblocks.io for more and follow Art Blocks on Instagram @artblocks_io.