what once was new is old, is new again

i came across a really fascinating book in the school's library about ikat, noshime: stripe, lattice and ikat in edo period. basically, a book with full color photos of existing cloths focusing on just the fabric, all arranged in a neat and orderly way. beautiful. here are some of my favorites:

considering that the edo period in japan was from 1603 to 1868, these ikat weavings feel very current and the colors quite modern. a really wonderful inspiration!

loveliness in textile

isn't this work gorgeous?! i have a long standing fascination with ikat and kasuri, both a technique of dyeing the thread so that as it's woven a pattern appears. i'm crossing my fingers that i'll be able to take a workshop in japan that will show me how to weave kasuri. until then, i'll just have to stare at the work of ptolemy mann.

i wonder at the familiarity of these pieces, and ikat in general, when i look at the work of my favorite artist mark rothko. the modern painter's color fields and the flow of color across the textiles, both strum the same sensation across my eyes.