The Textile Museum’s Fall Symposium “Tying the Rainbow – Reexamining Central Asian Ikats” will take place 15-17 October 2010.

Drawing inspiration from the Textile Museum’s fall exhibition Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats, this symposium and conference will explore the tradition of Central Asian ikats.

On Friday 15 October there will be an opening reception at the Textile Museum, 2320 S Street NW , 7:30 pm with a preview of the new exhibition Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats.

The academic program Saturday 16 October from 9:00 am will take place at the Phillips Collection Auditorium, 1600 21st Street NW.

The morning and afternoon program Saturday includes:

Welcome by Maryclaire Ramsey, Director, The Textile Museum

All of a Piece: Ikat Design and the Central Asian Aesthetic by Andrew Hale

At the Crossroads of Eurasia: The Changing Central Asian City and Textile Production in the 19th Century by Dr. Jeff Sahadeo

Central Asian Ikat: Product and Production by Dr. Mary M. Dusenbury

The Samarkand Ikat-making Tradition and the Karatag Silk Industry by Dr. Elena Tsareva

The Revival: The Craft of Ikat Silk Weaving in Uzbekistan and its Influence on Global Furnishings by Philippa Watkins

Dress to Impress: Brilliant Ikat Use in Contemporary Fashion by Dr. Anne Bissonnette

Concluding Remarks by Maryclaire Ramsey at 4:30 pm.

A reception is arranged Saturday evening.

The program Sunday 17 October from 9:00 am includes Curator’s Tour of Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats with Sumru Belger Krody and a Show-and-Tell Session from 10:45 facilitated by Michael M. Seidman.

More information: The Textile Museum Fall Symposium