Skirt c. 1970

Curator: Isn't this "Skirt" from around 1970 stunning? The piece, currently residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases a masterful blend of weaving and textile work. There’s a sense of movement that makes me feel it could still be twirling. Editor: My first impression is that of a cosmic night sky; a dark field dotted with constellations. It’s simultaneously grounded and ethereal. The overall feeling evokes rich folk traditions from somewhere far away. Curator: Precisely! The piece aligns with the Pattern and Decoration movement while borrowing significantly from Orientalist styles. You can see how the cotton fibres and weaving techniques are crafted to give the piece that distinct decorative flair, and yes, far away. Editor: Let's explore that "decorative flair" you mention, since I am instantly captivated by the visual storytelling at play. How do you feel the embroidered patterns and embedded mirrors speak to its cultural heritage? Curator: Well, the repetitive circular patterns can suggest both protection and community; you could also view it as the circle of life itself. The mirroring of self perhaps. When light dances off of it I see protection against evil eyes; little solar flares chasing away shadows! Editor: Those mirrors certainly animate the piece, drawing the viewer into this reflective dialogue. Beyond a defense against the 'evil eye', the use of mirrors also embodies cultural memory and echoes ancestral continuity by actively engaging the present, right? Curator: Indeed! What I love most is its tactility. It begs to be touched. There's also an immediacy. Like the wearer could enter the room any second. It feels simultaneously old and extremely fresh. I feel that it's ready to make history again. Editor: Right, I now see the “Orientalist” style at work and how it carries the artistic tradition of exoticising far-off lands to your eye! These "solar flares," as you describe them, also have strong commercial intentions! The conversation on exoticising faraway traditions needs unpacking here, as this may represent commercial appropriations too. Curator: Food for thought. For now, I think this garment is simply waiting for the right kind of brave dreamer, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, and it is my perspective here, too! The story that “Skirt” whispers from the past carries vital lessons for our contemporary age.