In many ways the creation and success of a supposedly new rug or carpet design is a result of serendipity with the artist or designer creating something perceived as new as a result of the careful and equally serendipitous work of those who have come before. But is this purported originality worthy of copyright protections?
As our North American agrarian roots gave way to a more modern ‘developed’ society so too did the need for our children to work on the farm give way. In its stead, our summer has evolved into a time to thoroughly enjoy the weather, lolling about in warm breezes, imagining a life far less hurried. The summer of 2015 brought us both the accessible middle market Fatboy Picnic Lounge and the capital ‘C’ couture Daydreamer Lounge from Jan Kath. What does 2016 offer to sooth our weary souls? Meine Damen und Herren, Ich vorstelle die ‘CarpetHammock’ von REUBER HENNING!
‘How many striped rugs have we seen before?’ begins REUBERHENNING’s Birgit Krah as if she was the one asking the questions. ‘Some are nice, a lot are boring, but stripes have always been fascinating to me. It’s a timeless pattern found in fashion, furniture, and art, even in nature. Never out, always in, the design remains classic and modern, conservative yet freaky all dependant upon how you wear it or [as is the case with carpets] which apartment we put it in.’
In anticipation of DOMOTEX this year we published selections from each category of the Carpet Design Awards. Selections of course allow for an unencumbered expression …
As an industry we bring modernity with all of its inconsequential demands to a place where subsistence agrarian culture still dominates the economy, where manual labour is a way of life, and were exploitation (in wide ranging and various forms) is still a major concern. We also have the ability to bring hope, compassion, understanding, and as I’ve called for, real empathy for the Nepali people. We do this by honouring them for all that they’ve done for us, and by continuing to work with them as they rebuild their country. They are a “patient, studious, artistic, nuanced and extremely hard working people, and I would not be who I am without them.” says Tom DeMarco of Kooches, speaking words universal to any serious designer of modern carpets. With that, The Ruggist presents a photographic journey that explores the best of Nepali made carpets.
Full Disclosure: I (Red Spruce that is) had a carpet in the shortlisted finals of the competition and that alone was the impetus for attending DOMOTEX 2012. Please keep …
As a (second) final note to my last post (See this post of The Ruggist) and heeding to the very correct comments posted thereafter, I …
While I have previously expressed my opinions on the merits (and demerits) of various shows, I’ve yet to share my views on ICFF (the International Contemporary Furniture Fair), held …
