Sash c. 20th century

This stunning sash, held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was woven by an anonymous artist. I wonder about the artist's process; the way they selected each thread of red and gold, interlacing them, and letting others hang free. It's interesting how horizontal lines can feel so grounding, and how red and gold can evoke such strong, bold feelings. Maybe they were thinking about adornment, or ritual. Maybe about community. The way the strands loosen at the edges makes me think of Eva Hesse's sculptures – that same desire to let material unravel and exist in its own right. The artist of the sash might not have known Hesse’s work, but that doesn't mean they weren't both wrestling with similar questions of form, texture, and the boundaries between control and release. It’s all a part of one big conversation after all.