Decorative band for clothing c. late 19th century

Editor: This is a decorative band for clothing from the late 19th century, housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s made from silk, cotton and other textiles using a weaving technique. I'm struck by the vibrancy and geometric nature of the pattern. What strikes you about it? Curator: I notice the strong interplay of the different colors. Consider how the artist utilized complementary colors, such as red and green, to create visual interest and balance. Editor: That makes sense. The repetition definitely creates a sort of rhythm, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely. The strategic deployment of repeating motifs contributes to the band's overall unity. Now, let us consider the shapes themselves. What geometric forms do you observe, and how do they interact? Editor: Well, I see stylized shapes within octagonal forms. And they’re positioned horizontally. The colors of those forms repeat across the length of the band in a pattern. Curator: An excellent observation! What affect does this create, specifically relating to the materiality? How do the visual elements come together to be materially significant to the experience of this artwork? Editor: Hmm...because of the repetition, you could cut the band at any point to embellish clothing without losing the core composition or visual element. You see how the composition gives rise to function? Curator: Precisely! That illustrates an understanding of the relationship between form and function. Editor: Thinking about this band in terms of pure structure really opens it up! Curator: Indeed. Shifting perspective to see its basic construction yields further appreciation.