Bern and Curvo Pattern Upholstery Fabric Samples c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Bern and Curvo Pattern Upholstery Fabric Samples by Otti Berger. It feels very Bauhaus to me with its simple geometric shapes. What can you tell me about the historical context of this piece? Curator: Berger was a Jewish textile artist, weaver, and colorist associated with the Bauhaus school. Considering the sociopolitical context of the time, the rise of Nazism, and the forced closure of the Bauhaus, these textile samples represent not just design, but also resistance and survival through craft. Editor: That's fascinating. Curator: How do you see this piece fitting into contemporary discussions of gender and labor? Textile work has historically been marginalized as "women's work." Editor: Right, it wasn't always considered serious art. Curator: Exactly. This piece invites us to re-evaluate those hierarchies. Editor: I see it now! Curator: What does this tell us about Otti Berger's work as a cultural artifact? Editor: This really reframes how I see the Bauhaus. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Art reflects and shapes society.