Crème zijden satijnlint c. 1925

This cream-colored silk satin ribbon sits in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. I love the idea of stopping here for a moment, to think about this simple object, this material, and how it can make us think about art. I see the way the ribbon is wrapped so neatly, held together by a simple paper band, and I start to think about what it is to make something well, and to care about materials. The ribbon has a gleam, a sheen that catches the light, and this little surface, this delicate sliver of silky stuff, is a real testament to the beauty of craft. The ribbon reminds me of Agnes Martin's paintings, in which line and color are used so sparingly to achieve a feeling of quiet, reflective calm. It’s easy to walk past something like this, but art is about noticing, and attending to the quiet hum of things.