When describing the qualities which make the Amish quilts so desirable, Ms Schlumberger (who has a collection of Amish quilts) says it’s:She also refers to the known and unknown, intrigue and mystery. This relates to something Laura Fisher writes in the same book:
‘...due to the imagination and originality that went into making them, their colors and the consummate craftsmanship...’ p.15.
'Though they used patterns in their quilts inspired by their surroundings and beliefs, ...none is pictorial or narrative, because that is forbidden.' p.17
This in turn brings us back to:
'Its quilts are rooted in an attitude which is perhaps best summed up in the ideas on art expressed as follows by Piet Mondrain, a Calvinist and Theosophist: 'If one does not represent things, scope is left for the divine.' (1922) p.6
I find the following quote really interesting as it gets to the heart of intention, and embedded values:
'When their quilts became of interest and marketable as artworks to outsiders (though not considered such to themselves), the Amish began copying old quilts to order. These may look Amish, but are felt to lack the spiritual beliefs and lifestyle that infused their predecessors.' p26
These more recent copies are probably made using synthetics as opposed to naturally dyed wool, but the major difference is not how the quilts look - although that was what first attracted people to them - but that they are not authentic or original, so the quilts don't mean the same. Intention is obviously important, so how can I express my intentions and values in my own textiles?
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