Bombsuit Insulation Fabric c. 20th century

Editor: This textile artwork, "Bombsuit Insulation Fabric," from around the 20th century and crafted by Newcastle Mill, has such a compelling, almost meditative quality. I feel drawn into its intricate, repetitive texture. What first strikes you when you look at it? Curator: It's like gazing into a microcosm, isn't it? The repetitive pattern creates this hypnotic effect, like rows upon rows of tiny universes expanding and contracting. Knowing it’s “bombsuit insulation fabric,” my mind wanders. Was it meant for protection, warmth, or something else entirely? Do you ever think of everyday materials carrying silent stories? Editor: Absolutely. There’s a duality here: something intended to protect from destruction is itself a beautiful, delicate pattern. I see it leaning towards art within the "pattern and decoration" movement, moving against pure function. Is that stretching it a bit too far? Curator: Not at all! Consider how ancient cultures used textiles for both practical purposes and ritualistic expressions. It’s a testament to our intrinsic need to infuse meaning and beauty into everything, even tools of survival. Maybe this fabric’s creator found solace, even a strange beauty, in this repetitive task, as though weaving protection itself. Editor: So, function and art weren't so separate back then, maybe even now. Thinking about the unseen artistry in the everyday, I will probably look at the clothes that I wear differently now! Curator: Precisely! It nudges you to look beyond the surface, to appreciate the dedication, the design woven into things we might otherwise take for granted. Textiles are touchstones into other stories.