Saddle bag c. 19th century

Curator: We're looking at an intriguing "Saddle bag," a textile work dating to around the 19th century and currently held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Immediately striking. The intricate diamond pattern creates such a visually rich and texturally compelling surface, especially considering its original utilitarian function. Curator: Exactly. And the term "utilitarian" is key here. While on its surface it is a "Saddle bag" woven from wool, a seemingly functional item, the abstract geometric motifs speak to larger questions of trade and cultural exchange that took place between Indigenous communities across the Americas. Editor: I see that. And these repeating geometric forms--what appear to be variations on a diamond--give a sense of structured play, of the kind of complex formalism we associate with textiles. It creates depth and almost an optical effect through the shifts in color and value. Curator: I would emphasize that this weaving is far from optical illusion. The craft practices and designs were deeply interwoven with indigenous social and economic systems, a symbol that encapsulates much broader negotiations that these populations navigated on a daily basis. Editor: Certainly. These kinds of patternings may carry a social history of identity but it seems too, we might also consider the visual vocabulary employed--the relationship between color, ground, and pattern as part of that expressive tradition. Curator: Right, and considering its placement on a saddle, it was on full public display as a marker of status, kinship, and alliance for its owners. Editor: The tension between abstraction and cultural signal certainly deepens the impact. A successful commingling between material, form, and message. Curator: Indeed. When we start thinking about it not just as an aesthetic object but a vital part of a network of social and material relationships, it enriches our appreciation of its purpose. Editor: A reminder that aesthetic contemplation should lead back into considering cultural context. Curator: Yes, I think in considering it as a cultural artefact, we give depth to those considerations of colour and space you spoke about, which enables further conversation and inquiry.