Primitivism And Abstraction In Persian Tribal Flatweaves with Alberto Levi
Alberto Levi (Jozan archive photo 2007)
Mazandaran kilim
Central Persia
349 x 210 cm
(11’4” x 6’10”)
Circa 1900
Private collection, Italy
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The Textile Arts Council presents "Primitivism and Abstraction in Persian Tribal Flatweaves
with Alberto Levi" Saturday 13 February, 10AM in Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum, San Francisco.
The respected gallery owner and scholar Alberto Levi will discuss a recently discovered group of flatweaves from the Mazandaran region of northern Iran. These extraordinary textiles display uniquely primitive patterns and minimalist color combinations of great beauty.
This presentation will focus on various groups
of Persian flatwoven textiles, all of which are
distinguished by stark color contrasts and bold
graphics. These tribal flatweaves bear strong resemblances to western abstract
contemporary art.
All of these textiles were originally intended as
utilitarian objects and were often woven by the
tribeswomen as an important part of their dowry.
These had a variety of practical uses in daily
nomadic life, primarily within the tent. Jajims,
which are long flatweaves woven in the warpface
technique, were used to decorate the inner perimeter of the tent.
Perdehs were first
woven as simple weft-faced textiles, then the
panels were individually dip-dyed in a bath of
a specific color and subsequently joined to
each other, often in dazzling combinations.
These textiles were then used as tent dividers,
defining specific areas within the tent. Sofrehs
were either used to present food to guests or
to store bread.
Tachehs were
used as grain bags by the Bakhtiari tribe
of western Persia. When opened from their
side fastenings they reveal tribal textiles
that are among the most visually striking.
In this bag we see a plethora of weaving
techniques, some of which have no structural
basis but are used as pure embellishments.
The abstract motifs that result from these
embellishments are related to the Zoroastrian
origin of the tribe and serve as amulets,
protecting the bag and its precious contents.
Levi will also examine a recently discovered
group of flatweaves originating from the
Mazandaran region, situated in northern Iran
near the Caspian Sea. These are distinguished
by uniquely primitive patterns and minimalist
color combinations that reflect a staggering
modernism.
Alberto Levi has been actively studying
Persian tribal rugs and textiles for many
years. He has published a number of
papers on Kurdish weavings in textile
art publications, including Ghereh and
Hali, for which he serves as a regular
contributing editor. He
lives in Milan, where he has a gallery
specializing in tribal textile art.
Date and place: Saturday 13 February, 10AM in Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum,
Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
Source: The Textile Arts Council
Jozan Magazine 23 January 2010
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