Skirt c. 20th century

Curator: We’re looking at "Skirt", a textile piece believed to be from around the 20th century. It’s a fantastic example of pattern and decoration, housed right here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The main materials appear to be silk and cotton. Editor: Wow, talk about a visual feast! It’s like a garden exploded onto fabric. So vibrant, and there’s almost too much going on, but somehow it all harmonizes. Is it actually a skirt? It looks more like a panel to me, maybe part of a larger textile. Curator: The title does imply an article of clothing, though the function might be more broadly decorative. Observe how the textile design hinges on pattern repetition—layered and imprinted, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Oh, absolutely, it's pattern on pattern, creating almost a hallucinatory effect. Those funky, semi-abstract flower shapes popping against the gold…it's a bit dizzying, actually. I find the juxtaposition of the tight repeating botanical-type background with the bold, splashy flowers really exciting. Like the artist couldn’t decide whether to be ordered or chaotic, so they chose both. Curator: An insightful observation. Note also the play of textures, the presumed sheen of the silk contrasting with the cotton base. The geometric underpinning struggles against the organic motifs. It’s a battle, wouldn't you agree, played out on the cloth. Editor: It’s a bold, unrestrained piece, refusing to settle into any neat category. Makes you wonder about the person who wore or displayed it – or maybe I should say, would have dared to wear it. I like how unapologetically joyful and energetic it feels, even from across the room. Curator: Indeed. There’s a lot to unpack here, from its materiality to its daring approach to design. Editor: Exactly. And for me, it's a potent reminder that textiles can be so much more than just fabric. This skirt? This panel? This textile dares to make a very strong statement.