Juin (June) 1929

Editor: So, this piece is "Juin (June)," a cotton textile made in 1929 by F. Schumacher & Co. It’s currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I am struck by how such a practical material has been elevated by this really sophisticated pattern. What do you see in it? Curator: The key here, for me, is recognizing textile not just as a decorative element, but as a product of material conditions. Think about the cotton itself: where was it grown? Who harvested it? These patterns, which mimic organic shapes, conceal a story of labour, trade and manufacture. The rise of companies such as F. Schumacher in this era suggests how mass-produced textiles found a niche within interior decoration. Considering what we know about Art Deco, do you see this piece participating or departing from these aesthetics? Editor: I see the stylized florals, almost geometric, and that makes me think of the Art Deco aesthetic of simplifying natural forms... Curator: Precisely. It's easy to see the “naturalistic” elements, as the tags suggests, but let’s not overlook the level of manufacturing needed to put this in production. It represents how a streamlined manufacturing processes can churn out supposedly unique pieces, for a market eager for trendy things. Is it luxury or is it cheap? How many different kinds of audiences could access it? Editor: So, it's both celebrating nature but also showcasing industrial capabilities... almost like a form of aspirational material. It's a critique hidden within something beautiful? Curator: Perhaps! And this opens up possibilities of dialogue between, on the one hand, industry that provides the material conditions for such production and, on the other hand, decoration in its intention to signify or make an impression through that kind of aesthetic selection. A "Materialist" examination helps expose those tensions. Editor: That is so interesting! I will definitely look at textiles in a completely different light from now on. Curator: Wonderful. It all contributes to our appreciation.