Lint van crèmekleurig gaas van 15 meter c. 1900 - 1915

Editor: Here we have "Ribbon of Cream-colored Gauze of 15 meters" dating from around 1900-1915. It's anonymous but found in the Rjiksmuseum's collection, the primary medium being textile. It seems so ordinary at first glance... almost ghostly in its simplicity. What resonates with you most about this piece? Curator: A single object can be a powerful mnemonic device. Think about what a ribbon often signifies: adornment, certainly, but also connection. Before mass production, the act of creating such a length of delicate gauze by hand represented a considerable investment of time and skill. Consider the symbolism of cream as a colour -- it echoes purity and new beginnings. Do you see it the same way? Editor: I didn’t think about the time it took to create. You’re right! The fact that it was made by hand and then carefully wrapped, and preserved speaks volumes about its cultural and symbolic significance, like keeping a relic. Curator: Exactly! Ribbons often bind objects together, or denote them as special – think of prize ribbons, for instance. But this one is unbound, waiting. The soft, muted tone invites reflection, rather than demanding attention. What is it waiting for, I wonder? Or who? Editor: That's fascinating! Now it feels more like a metaphor... the ribbon is almost pregnant with potential, embodying a quiet, almost melancholic beauty. I initially thought of it as a simple object, but I see now that it has the power to symbolize anticipation, memory, connection... Curator: It becomes a mirror, reflecting our own experiences and cultural memory back at us. The power of such unassuming symbols to carry collective emotional weight never ceases to amaze me. Editor: Me neither! Thank you for pointing all of that out. Now, looking at this gauze ribbon makes me think so much more deeply.