Fragment (Band) Possibly 800 - 1100

Editor: So, this woven piece, titled "Fragment (Band)," is from the Wari culture, dating probably between 800 and 1100 AD. It's really interesting how such an old textile can still feel so vibrant, despite its fragmentary state. I'm immediately drawn to these repeated, almost totem-like images woven throughout. What do you see in this fragment, especially concerning the imagery itself? Curator: The power of this band lies in its symbolic language. Consider how these images resonate across time, acting as visual anchors for a culture’s memory. Do you notice how each motif, from the geometric to the zoomorphic, is carefully placed within these blocks of colour? Each band echoes another, reinforcing patterns in our minds. Editor: Definitely, the geometric figures almost look like abstracted animals. The repetition almost feels rhythmic. But what purpose would this repetition have served? Curator: Precisely. Think about it – what purpose would such meticulous patterning hold beyond simple decoration? Perhaps a visual narrative meant to be read and reread. Weaving was crucial for Andean cultures. It wasn't *just* decorative. Each image tells a story; a connection to the spiritual realm. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't thought of it as a readable object. Does the fragmentary nature alter its cultural significance or symbolic value? Curator: In some ways, it amplifies it. The fragment becomes a poignant reminder of cultural memory disrupted, but not extinguished. Each surviving image takes on an even greater weight. Editor: It's incredible how this small textile fragment carries such a depth of cultural meaning, even now. I'm going to pay much closer attention to indigenous textiles in museums from now on. Curator: Me too; let’s look closer next time we're both here, ok?