Prototype of a Rug c. 1932 - 1937

Curator: Here we have Otti Berger’s Prototype of a Rug, held in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s wonderfully tactile! It almost feels like I could sink my fingers into it. Curator: Berger was a key figure at the Bauhaus, experimenting with textiles and weaving. This piece really showcases her exploration of texture and color. Her career sadly ended prematurely as she was murdered in Auschwitz. Editor: The zigzags of blue and red kind of ripple across the surface, making me think of turbulent water. It's like a little abstract landscape. Curator: As a Jewish woman at the Bauhaus, her work often challenged societal norms, pushing the boundaries of traditional craft. The rug's abstract design was a departure from conventional decorative arts of the time. Editor: There's something deeply comforting and rebellious about it at the same time, like a secret language woven into the threads. Curator: Absolutely. Berger's legacy is one of artistic innovation and a reminder of the vital role art plays in reflecting and challenging the world around us. Editor: It's a quiet revolution in wool.