Kira c. 20th century

This large textile at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, called Kira, pulses with warm, earthy tones. I can imagine the hand that patiently guided the threads, weaving back and forth, building up the layers of color and texture. There's something so meditative about the repetitive nature of weaving, each pass of the shuttle a small act of devotion. You can feel the time, the energy, the intention poured into every inch of this surface. I think of Agnes Martin and her grid paintings. The lines here are similar, though made with thread instead of paint, creating a similar contemplative effect. The horizontal bands remind me of landscapes, like the horizon line stretching out across the plains. It is a conversation between materials and artists, across different times and places. There's a beauty and an honesty in the work of the hand. This is not machine made, you can see the small irregularities, the slight variations in the tension of the thread. It's this imperfection that gives the weaving its unique character, its soul.