Half Aksu (skirt) 1965 - 1975

Curator: Today we’re looking at "Half Aksu (skirt)," a textile piece made sometime between 1965 and 1975. You can find it here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Immediately I see something almost elemental here, earth and fire. The dark, possibly woolen, expanse gives way to these brilliant bands of woven color... it breathes life! Curator: Absolutely, and thinking about the hands that created this, it is really something. The piece combines weaving and possibly some hand-embroidered details. The base seems to be a sturdy, plain woven wool, contrasted against these elaborate supplementary weft patterns. It prompts questions about skill, labor, and the cultural context of textile production at that time. Editor: I'm particularly drawn to how the geometrical repetition softens; it’s strict but somehow gives me the sensation of almost gazing into infinity. Considering its creation date, one has to wonder about its significance – could this be viewed through the lens of Pattern and Decoration, challenging high art hierarchies? I almost see in my mind's eye that the garment itself in motion would shimmer almost like running water. Curator: Well, certainly, it pushes against any clear separation between ‘art’ and ‘craft,’ right? Someone carefully chose each thread, dictated not just by visual design but functional, durable consideration. I wonder if the piece served both everyday and ceremonial purposes? The dark ground color does certainly feel grounded... literally, down to earth. Editor: Agreed! It certainly hints at the weight of tradition but without stifling personal or cultural expression. So it manages to hold onto that sensation, in a certain point of time or maybe within a community. This textile goes beyond just utility; it tells a complex narrative. I think about the person that may have donned it. It does become a question... who might they have been? Curator: It all leaves one with this sense of untold stories—fabric imbued not just with skill, but also with silent memories. Thanks for the chat! Editor: Thanks. An invitation to reflect not only on what is seen, but what’s deeply felt... lovely!