A week ago I returned from my trip to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham England. There are many trends to talk about, so I will continue to post photos and trend comments for a few weeks.
The 2011 Red and White quilt exhibit at the Armory in New York City, and the 2014 Red and White exhibit in Houston, have simultaneously inspired a tsunami of red and white quilts, but also have tapped into a subconscious tide in the mass consciousness, that has fueled parallel color trends in home dec and fashion.
It is no coincidence that red and white has been used in flags, uniforms, and even symbolized the War of the Roses. They are primal colors that evoke an immediate physiological and psychological response. Red is a color of courage, strength, ambition, heat, energy, blood… and love. White represents purity, innocence, simplicity, clarity, and illumination. (And in some cultures – mourning.)
The Festival of Quilts is the largest show in Europe, but it attracts quilts from all over the globe. These 2 quilts were in the Japanese and Korean exhibit, and they represent two completely different approaches to Red and White. In this photo collage you’ll see the allover quilt image, and a closeup detail image.
The star quilt is by Sakae Tanigawa & Reiko Nakazawa, and is titled “Ties and Sunrises”.
“The morning sun that unites us all with the hope that everyone feels this warm, deep bond.”
The abstract quilt is by Takako Ishinami, and is titled “Kodou – Heart Beat”. Note the heavily stitched ruffled strips that make up this composition.
It is fascinating to connect the dots and see how an exhibit can influence and inspire and unfold over time, and morph into something almost unrecognizable along the timeline of the trend…and yet you can still trace it back to its source…like genealogy.
As I write this, news is coming in about the earthquake in central Italy, which was also felt in Rome, where I will be in a week. I am sending hugs and greetings to our friends in Italy, hoping you are all safe!
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana
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2016 Travel Calendar:
Sept 3 – Water is Life – Embassy Reception – Frascati Rome
Sept 18-25 – CUBA Arts Tour #2 – Havana, Trinidad & Varadaro
Oct 6 – Dairy Barn – Athens OH – “Intl Quilt Trends” Lecture
Oct 29 – Nov 4 – Houston Quilt Market & Festival
Nov 11-13 – Color Marketing Group – Albuquerque
Nov 15-20 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Canada
