Material World:
Textiles & Dress from the Collection
Cotsen Gallery, Neutrogena Wing
December 20, 2009
Through
August 7, 2011

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through August, 2011»

Material World presents a tantalizing glimpse into the Museum of International Folk Art's largest collection of textiles and costumes stored in 57 closets and numerous trunks and drawers. The 138 rarely-seen items in this exhibition highlight the remarkable breadth and depth of 20,000 objects ranging from everyday household articles to elaborately detailed ceremonial wear in the Museum's textile collection. Photo, right: Boots, leather, cotton. Late 19th century. Central Asia. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Blackman. Photo by Addison Doty)

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue authored by exhibition curator Bobbie Sumberg. The catalog divides the textile and costume collection into two categories, textiles and dress, and into several subcategories: Textiles for the bed; for the dwelling; for the church, temple, or ceremony; and, decorative pieces such as samplers. Dress is divided into headwear, outerwear, footwear, accessories, ceremonial, and complete ensembles. Curator Bobbie Sumberg says, "Making and embellishing textiles can be a powerful tool of socialization and a reflection of cultural values. By looking at the production and use of textiles, numerous aspects of history and culture become illuminated. For example, gender roles within a family and within a society or culture are usually played out when cloth is made and worn." Call 505 992-2611 to order the book or shop on-line at worldfolkart.org»

Lesson Plan & Art Activities»

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Sunday December 20, 2009
1-4 pm
Opening Reception hosted by the Women's Board of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. By Museum Admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Free on Sundays, youth 16 & under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members admitted FREE!

Saturday, February 13, 2010
2pm
Museum of Indian Arts & Culture Theater
Join Charlotte Jirousek, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Curator, Cornell University, for a lecture about Turkish Textiles Traded for Love, in conjunction with the exhibition Material World: Textiles and Dress from the Collection. Admission to the lecture is free; admission to the Material World exhibition is by Museum admission.

Sunday May 2, 1010
2:00 -3:00 p.m.
Join renown poets Joan Logghe and Miriam Sagan for poetry reading in conjunction with the exhibition, Material World:Textiles and Dress from the Collection. By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Admitted free on Sundays, youth 16 and under and Museum of New Mexico foundation members always free.

Sunday August 8, 2010
2:00pm
Lecture by Dr. Charlotte Jirousek, Associate Professor & Curator, Cornell University, The Decline, Rise, and fall of the Turkish Carpet. By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Admitted free on Sundays, youth 16 and under and foundation members» always free.

Sunday, November 14, 2010
2 - 4 pm
Join local poet and Author Joan Logghe in the exhibition Material World: Textiles and Dress from the Collection for poetry reading and writing inspired by textiles. By Museum Admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Free on Sundays, youth 16 & under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members admitted FREE!

Sunday February 20, 2011
2pm Lecture by Dr. Linda Boynton Arthur, author of The Art of the Aloha Shirt. By Museum Admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Free on Sundays, youth 16 & under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members admitted FREE!

Sunday June 5
2PM
Layers of Memories:
Stories of Festival Dress in the Balkans, Lecture by Paula Denise Davis, followed by folk dancing by the Csardas Dancers, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Material World: Textiles and Dress from the Collection»
By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. free on Sundays, youth 16 & under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation members» always free! Photo: A group of singers from Belovidice, Macedonia at a festival, 2008. Photo by Paula D. Davis.

Sunday, August 7, 2011
2pm
Closing Day lecture by Dr. Carol Hendrickson, Historical Threads: The Past in Present-day Maya Textile Fashions. By Museum Admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. Free on Sundays, youth 16 & under and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members admitted FREE!