Blanket c. 20th century

This Blanket was made by Tangkhol, and is now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What I notice first is the way the colors vibrate against each other; that deep black, the warm reds, and the way the thin white stripes pop, creating a rhythm. It’s really about the materiality, isn’t it? Think about the texture, that deep black broken by thin parallel bands of red and white; the fringe hanging loose at the top and bottom. See how each stripe isn't perfect? There are tiny shifts and imperfections in the weave which give it that handmade feel. It’s in those small, unpredictable movements that the blanket really comes alive. Look closely and you’ll see how the red stripes are also layered in a reddish-brown, giving them a depth of color. I'm reminded of the work of Anni Albers, who also played with simple geometric patterns and the possibilities of textile art. This blanket isn’t just something to keep you warm, it’s a whole world.