EXHIBIT- Architectural Textiles from Central Asia, March - August 2007, DC

Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central Eurasian Studies

EXHIBIT- Architectural Textiles from Central Asia, March - August 2007, DC

Posted by: Molly McMullen <mmcmullen@textilemuseum.org>

Architectural Textiles:
Tent Bands of Central Asia
March 30 - August 19, 2007

The trellis tent is a brilliant invention. It has made nomadic life
possible across Central Asia for at least one and a half millennia. An
important component of its construction is a woven tent band which
girdles the lower part of the wooden roof struts. This critical
engineering element provides the tension necessary to brace the roof
dome against outward collapse under the load of heavy felts and the
force of strong steppe winds. Beyond serving a utilitarian function,
tent bands are often elaborately decorated.

Architectural Textiles: Tent Bands of Central Asia highlights this
unique and fundamental weaving. The exhibition includes tent bands
made by different Central Asian ethnic groups, including Turkmen,
Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Kazakh. Approximately 40 objects drawn from The TM's
collections and private holdings are included in this exhibition,
representing a wide range of structures, colors, designs and
materials. Supplemental materials provide a richer context to deepen
understanding of the lost world of the nomads. These include period
photographs of nomadic life and weaving for discussion of textile
structure. An educational gallery teaches visitors about the
exhibition, such as how to read a tent band. Richard Isaacson, a
former member of The Textile Museum's Advisory Council, serves as the
guest curator.

Support for the catalogue accompanying Architectural Textiles: Tent
Bands of Central Asia was provided by the Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf
Foundation.

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