Concealed

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Carpet weaving is known as one of the world’s most ancient crafts. I am from a country that has a long history of it; Iran. The most precious carpets and kilims are woven by tribal or village artisans who are mostly women. They would do hand-spinning of wool, dying, and the selection of designs, some of which are related to their occupational identities and culture. A typical 9×12 foot kilim has a density of 150 knots per square inch and takes 6,480 hours to complete, requiring patience and skill, while allowing women to express their feelings and creativity. Using natural material for weaving in Iran is an ancient and ongoing tradition. It is an eco-friendly process and also speaks to the idea of beauty in Persian thoughts that suggest the reunion with nature.

 

Persian carpets and kilims identify their culture. Although these heavy textile crafts are an important part of the culture, in the Western world, these labor-intensive artifacts are often overlooked as decorative commodities because of today’s mass produced rugs. My video installation intends to challenge this Western perspective. By using a real Kurd hand-woven kilim and an actual scene of weaving from a documentary, I aim to reveal the overwhelming labor behind the beautiful patterns. Asking to download an application is an extra step, yet this represents the hidden layers with messages that traditional carpets contain. My hope is that buyers would gain connection to Iranian artisans so that they would value the intricate handmade objects that are culturally informative.

 

Sogand Tabatabaei

2019