Necklace (tasdit) c. early 20th century

This is a Necklace, or tasdit, by Ida ou Semlal Amazigh, and it lives here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This object isn't paint, but the logic of its making shares an interesting relationship to painting. Think about the material reality of this necklace. The smoothness of the amber, the cool metallic surfaces of the coins, the rough texture of the string, all coming together in this one form. These materials are combined with the same sensitivity to colour and texture as any painter would mix hues and layer brushstrokes. Look at the way the coins hang in clusters, dense and shimmering. In painting terms, it reminds me of building up layers, where each mark influences the next, creating depth and complexity. It also makes me think of artists like Betye Saar who imbue found objects with new cultural meaning through the act of combination and juxtaposition. There is no end to the conversation between art and its history.