Curvo Pattern Upholstery Fabric Samples c. 20th century

Curator: Looking at these textile swatches, I’m immediately struck by how elemental they seem. Like a building block, yet so meticulously crafted. Editor: Indeed. What we have here are "Curvo Pattern Upholstery Fabric Samples" by Otti Berger, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It is a fascinating weave with an incredibly tactile quality. Curator: And that tactility screams of process, doesn't it? I can almost feel the repetitive motion, the hours spent at the loom. How did Berger navigate the tensions between artistic expression and industrial production? Editor: Berger was interested in the social impact of these textiles, thinking about their presence in the modern home. What do you think about what these patterns and materials suggest about design’s effect on everyday life? Curator: The ubiquity of these patterns raises a crucial question about how textile design influences broader social and cultural narratives. Editor: It makes me consider the politics embedded in the very fibers of our domestic spaces. Curator: It’s a reminder that even the most seemingly mundane objects carry within them the weight of history, labor, and cultural significance.