When: closing July 29, 2018
Usually, I go by myself to see exhibits. I'm an introvert, so I can make my own fun just fine. I get a nice walk to and from the venue, and I can take as long as I like in the show. Plus, it gives me a break from work, where I spend a lot of time communicating with others.
This week, however, I took a friend with me to see the Ikats display at the Sackler. She's a great fan of these textiles; she even wore an Ikat shirt in honor of our trip! It was a lot of fun to go with her, and I realized I might be missing out on the insights that others bring to shows by always going alone.
Ikats are textiles made in Central Asia; they date back to the time of the Silk Road, yet are still wildly popular today. I'd describe them as a sort of tie-dye, but this reflects my 1970s childhood and is a gross simplification.
This particular exhibit brings together some historical ikats and some ikat inspired creations by Oscar de la Renta. The fabrics are quite large, so each room only contains a few examples, but you can get up quite close to them, to better appreciate the artistry involved. I think my favorite pieces were a lovely de la Renta dress in a floral pattern (perfect for a summer wedding) and a carpet made of several pieces sewn together. The notes about the carpet indicate that, "Perfection was obviously not a high priority."
Verdict: A fun show, especially if you like ikats or are interested in textiles.
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