Kussaba c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have a 'Kussaba,' a textile work likely from the 19th century. It is currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Immediately, the complex symmetry pulls me in. There's an overall earthiness to it, like a spiced chai or the scent of old books. But also, a mesmerizing quality to the dense patterning. I could stare at it for hours and keep discovering new intricacies. Curator: It is amazing, isn't it? Consider this textile in the context of Orientalism. This was a movement through which the West interpreted and often misrepresented non-Western cultures, particularly those of the Middle East and Asia. Objects such as this textile often were seen as indicators of status in Western markets, or used to fulfill Western fantasies about the exotic other. The labor conditions around this type of weaving were brutal, especially if the origin is in Kashmir as is common with these pieces. Editor: So there is real cultural tension there. It is beautiful but tainted... And knowing its origins probably involved exploited labor really does alter my view. It makes me want to examine more critically who benefited from its creation and circulation. It almost gives me the feeling of it as a beautiful burden somehow... Curator: Precisely. The ‘Kussaba’ invites us to consider not only the aesthetic appeal but also the tangled histories of trade, labor, and representation during the height of colonial expansion. What looks simply 'decorative' is anything but. Editor: Well, now I definitely can’t just passively appreciate it. This transforms my impression completely! I suppose that means art is still managing to provoke us from beyond the grave. Curator: Exactly. These objects from the past still offer plenty for us to think about in the present!