The Modernist Textile
Europe and America, 1890-1940
Published on 28. November 2006
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-0-85331-900-9 (ISBN)
Description
Emerging from the tumultuous decades between 1890 and 1940, Modernism became the new aesthetic that was to dominate the development of art and design in the twentieth century.
Traditionally, discussions of late 19th- and early 20th-century art have not focused exclusively on the role the decorative and applied arts played in shaping the Modernist aesthetic. This book reveals the unique contribution of Modernist textiles in challenging artistic hierarchies and instigating visual and theoretical change. Textiles are, in fact, ideal historical markers that pinpoint pivotal moments of an era in transition.
Exploring the role of textile design, textile production, collections of textiles and critical responses to textiles in the period 1890-1940, The Modernist Textile provides, for the first time, a survey of textiles in the modern age. Including in-depth analysis of the trends that developed across Europe and America in the period covered, the book draws in all the major phases of the modernist period, from Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement through to Constructivism and the influence of South American ancient arts on twentieth-century American textiles.
Combining skilled analysis with a wealth of beautiful images, some of which have not been published before, The Modernist Textile is an invaluable resource for all those interested in gaining a new perspective on the significant visual and cultural developments that took place in Europe and America between 1890 and 1940.
Traditionally, discussions of late 19th- and early 20th-century art have not focused exclusively on the role the decorative and applied arts played in shaping the Modernist aesthetic. This book reveals the unique contribution of Modernist textiles in challenging artistic hierarchies and instigating visual and theoretical change. Textiles are, in fact, ideal historical markers that pinpoint pivotal moments of an era in transition.
Exploring the role of textile design, textile production, collections of textiles and critical responses to textiles in the period 1890-1940, The Modernist Textile provides, for the first time, a survey of textiles in the modern age. Including in-depth analysis of the trends that developed across Europe and America in the period covered, the book draws in all the major phases of the modernist period, from Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement through to Constructivism and the influence of South American ancient arts on twentieth-century American textiles.
Combining skilled analysis with a wealth of beautiful images, some of which have not been published before, The Modernist Textile is an invaluable resource for all those interested in gaining a new perspective on the significant visual and cultural developments that took place in Europe and America between 1890 and 1940.
Reviews / Votes
'Her publication ... merits becoming the standard reference on modernist textiles ... This stunning and informative book will appeal to academics, designers and a broader audience fascinated by modern textiles.' Selvedge 'The Modernist Textile is a beautifully illustrated exploration of European and American textiles between 1890 and 1940 ... this unique and readable survey should facilitate a deeper understanding of textile arts' worth among students with little specialized background, while offering new insights to more advanced readers. It is highly recommended for public, academic and special libraries serving clientele with interests in art history, modernism and textile design.' Art Libraries Society of North America ' ... scholarly and well-written study of a largely unresearched period of textile history ... Through the lens of textiles, her book offers us a new perspective on the Modernist project as it unfolded during the early decades of the last century, and a deeper understanding of the major artistic developments, the theoretical conflicts and the technological changes.' Dr Jennifer Harris, Deputy Director, The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester 'Troy is a consummate researcher who leaves no fact unexamined ... she has brought forth a densely textured work in which all the separate strands receive careful attention ... In fewer than 200 pages, Troy has comprehensively mapped the landmarks, pathways, and intersections of recent textile history'. Surface Design Journal 'Virginia Gardner Troy has provided an outstanding overview of the significance of textiles in the world of art, design, and craft over the fifty years she documents in this book ... [it] will ... be very useful for students of textile history. But, in addition to those who study textiles in an academic setting, weavers, stitchers, quilters, and surface designers ... will all find inspiration in Troy's book. I highly recommend this enlightening book to anyone who loves textiles as well as to those who are fascinated with art and with history.' Handwoven Magazine 2008 '... it educates and enlightens as well as entertains ... Anyone interested in art history, textiles history, women artists, and the debates over art versus craft will find much of interest in The Modernist Textile'. Shuttle Spindle and Dyepot Fall 2008More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 269 mm
Width: 228 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
1075 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-85331-900-9 (9780853319009)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Virginia Gardner Troy is Associate Professor of Art History at Berry College, Georgia, USA. She is the author of Anni Albers and Ancient American Textiles: From Bauhaus to Black Mountain (Ashgate, 2002).
Content
Contents: List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Introduction; The new art 1890-1905; Primitivism, Abstraction and Experimentation 1905-1920; Early Modernism: surface-designed and embellished textiles from the 1920s; Constructed textiles 1920-40; Nationalism and Surrealism in the 1930s; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.