Women Behind the Kilim Loom: From Bauhaus to the Bosporus
Berlin exhibition combines art and weaving tradition - celebrating kilim artwork by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl from Oct. 19, 2023, as part of creative weaving project
Save the Date: 10/19/2023, 7pm
Vernissage of the exhibition "Women Behind the Weave: Bauhaus to Bosporus". Special Guests: Matthew Bourne and Dorothy Bourne by Christopher Farr
Location: Kastanienallee 55, 10119 Berlin
Duration of the exhibition: 19.10. - 16.11.2023 (Finissage)
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 h - 18:00 h
Photo: "1923" Kelim-rug after original design by Gunta Stöltz
- As part of the reopening of the new Wild Heart Free Soul-Kelim showroom in Berlin Mitte, owner Beyza Nur Özler is presenting the exhibition "Women Behind The Weave: From Bauhaus to the Bosporus" for the first time in Germany.
- The exhibition exclusively shows the kilimrug "1923", which was produced by carpet manufacturer Christopher Farr based on an original design by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl and comes from the Stölzl family's private collection. Christopher Farr also produces knotted carpets based on original designs by other Bauhaus artists, including Anni Albers and Josef Albers. These are produced in collaboration with the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. A selection of these "Edition Rugs" will be part of the exhibition at Wild Heart Free Soul .
- Gunta Stölzl's original design "1923" served as a template for the Turkish workshop Kirkit and was hand-woven in traditional Anatolian kilim weaving technique. The weaver and textile designer Gunta Stölzl was the first master at the Bauhaus School of Art and is considered an innovator of the art of hand weaving.
- The "Women Behind the Weave" exhibition also features fifteen woven kilim rugs made by Kirkit women weavers according to their own designs. The one-of-a-kind kilim art pieces will be offered for sale exclusively through Wild Heart Free Soul , with proceeds going to a local charity of Kirkit's choice. .
- Kirkit is setting new standards for the welfare of weavers, fighting for a sustainable industry standard, securing the future of traditional weaving in Turkey.
- "Women Behind the Weave" aims to honor these diverse groups of women: The kilim weavers from Anatolia and the women from the Bauhaus weaving department.
Berlin Exhibition: "Women Behind the Kilim Loom: From Bauhaus to the Bosporus".
Hand-woven, sustainable, tradition-conscious: On the occasion of the launch of a newly produced kilim carpet by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl (1897- 1983), the renowned carpet producer Christopher Farr has teamed up with the Kirkit workshop. The company Christopher Farr already produced carpets of famous Bauhaus artist:inside such as Anni Albers and Josef Albers.
Stölzl gained fame not only as the first Bauhaus master, but also for her unconventional approach. Thus, she shifted the focus from painterly works to more industrial designs, introduced radical ideas from the world of modern art into weaving, and initiated experiments with materials and methods that brought weaving into modernity led.
For the first time in Germany, a new design by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl will be on display, woven by weavers from the Kirkit Kelim workshop.
As part of the presentation of this Bauhaus kilim, the creative weaving project "Women Behind the Weave: Bauhaus to Bosphorus" will be presented: fifteen woven works of art produced by individual weavers from the Kirkit workshop. These produced flat weaves according to their own ideas and not according to a given pattern. The only specifications were to work 1 m² and to use yarn scraps.
The exhibition takes place in the new Wild Heart Free Soul showroom in Berlin Mitte, whose owner Beyza Özler has dedicated herself to the trade in antique and semi-antique kilims and carpets from Anatolia for 10 years. Wild Heart Free Soul-founder Beyza Özler: "The exhibition not only focuses on the artistic-traditional weaving craft and the legendary Bauhaus design. The Women Behind the Weave project aims to honor these two very different groups of women."
Beyza Özler of Wild Heart Free Soul, Matthew Bourne of Christopher Farr and Ahmet Diler of Kirkit share a common vision: to preserve the centuries-old craft of rug weaving and revolutionize rug making in terms of social responsibility, fair compensation and recognition for women weavers. As a result, Kirkit employs twenty-three weavers with regular working hours, including a lunch break with home-cooked meals. All employees have retirement benefits and access to medical care.
"Women Behind the Weave" also aims to give the Kirkit weavers a public platform to promote their sustainable business approach, their unique model workshop and their values (fair trade, sustainability, respect for the weavers). The common goal: to give the weavers the respect they deserve and to ensure that the millennia-old knowledge of traditional carpet making and its cultural heritage will be preserved in the future.
Matthew Bourne, Co-Founder of Christopher Farr: "We are delighted that the women of the Kirkit workshop have produced these weavings, paying homage to the incomparable tradition of kilim weaving in Anatolia, which has endured for thousands of years. It is important that this tradition continues, and the best way to ensure this is to enhance the value of this craft and the women who make it. One cannot imagine a world in which the French would allow their wine industry to disappear. Weaving is of equal cultural importance to Turkey and the other countries of Asia Minor."
Excursus Kelim Carpets: Artful treasures from the Orient and Occident
Kilim rugs are more than just floor coverings; they are cultural treasures that tell stories and celebrate craftsmanship. One of the most fascinating types of carpet is the kilimrug, which has been produced in various parts of the world for centuries. Kilims were made by nomadic tribes in the Middle East and Central Asia as practical and decorative items. They were used to decorate tents, cover the ground and as saddle blankets for horses.
The oldest known kilims date back to the 4th century BC and were found in Egypt. These early kilims were often decorated with geometric patterns and were made of natural materials such as wool, cotton and goat hair.
Over the centuries, the art of kilim making spread across various regions, including Iran, Turkey, the Caucasus, India and North Africa. Each region developed its own styles, patterns and color palette, reflecting cultural diversity and master craftsmanship.
Kelim carpet making is a complex process that requires skill, patience and dedication. Unlike traditionally woven rugs, kilims are not made on a loom, but on a horizontal frame that allows weavers to stretch the warp threads and insert the weft threads by hand. This process requires precise handwork and is time-consuming.
The choice of materials is also of great importance. High-quality wool and cotton are often used to create durable and long-lasting kilims. The dyeing of the yarns is often done naturally with vegetable dyes, which gives the kilims their characteristic earthy colors.
Another remarkable feature of kilim carpets is their flat, woven structure. Unlike the thicker, pile carpets, kilims have a thinner texture and are therefore lighter. This makes them ideal for use in warmer climates.
Kilim rugs are not only decorative objects, but also have a symbolic meaning. In many cultures they are associated with good luck, protection and spiritual values. In Turkey, for example, kilims are often presented as gifts on special occasions such as weddings and are said to bring the couple luck and prosperity
In addition, kilim rugs often tell stories from the lives of the weavers. Each kilim can be unique and contain different patterns and symbols that reflect the creativity and stories of the people who made them.
Photo: Kirkit weavers in Usak, Turkey
Respect for weavers, fair trade and sustainability: the Kirkit kilim workshop
The company is founded and managed by Ahmet Diler, who is the third generation of a weaving family. Kirkit Rugs is an Istanbul-based company with other hand-knotted and specialized kilim workshops in Turkey, producing high-quality rugs that are exported all over the world. The company regularly participates in international trade fairs, including Domotex, Hanover, Maison et Objet, Paris and in the USA. Kirkit collaborates with international designers and has experience in weaving custom designs in special colors and sizes
Photo: The weavers on the Bauhaus staircase, 1927
Excursus Bauhaus Master Gunta Stölzl
Gunta Stölzl stands out as a pioneer in the field of textile art. Her innovative approach to textiles not only changed the way we perceive fabrics, but also challenged traditional gender roles in art and design.
In 1919, Gunta Stölzl's life took a decisive turn when she joined the Bauhaus in Weimar. Founded by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus sought to erase the traditional boundaries between craft and fine art and promote a holistic approach to design. Central to Bauhaus philosophy was the idea that art and design should be integrated into everyday life, and Stölzl embraced this ethos.
Initially, Gunta Stölzl enrolled as a student, but her talent and dedication soon earned her a position as a junior master weaver. In this role, she began experimenting with innovative weaving techniques and materials, pushing the boundaries of textile design. Her work attracted attention not only for its aesthetics, but also for its functional qualities. Stölzl's creations were not mere decorations, but practical utilitarian objects that could enrich people's lives.
Gunta Stölzl's presence at the Bauhaus was also an important step in challenging traditional gender roles in art and design. At a time when women in this field were often relegated to the decorative arts, she broke through these limitations by becoming the first female master at the Bauhaus. Her appointment to this position reflected the institution's commitment to equality and recognition of talent.
One of Stölzl's most iconic contributions to the world of textile art was her innovative weaving technique known as "hanging double weave." This process involves weaving two layers of fabric simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional effect that adds depth and texture to her designs. Her experiments with new materials, colors and patterns expanded the possibilities of textile art and made her a leading figure in the Bauhaus textile revolution.
Gunta Stölzl's life and work remain a testament to the transformative power of creativity, innovation and determination. Her pioneering spirit at the Bauhaus not only revolutionized textile design, but also paved the way for future generations of women artists and designers to break free from traditional constraints. Gunta Stölzl's legacy reminds us that art knows no gender and that the limits of artistic expression are limited only by one's own imagination.
Wild Heart Free Soul Showroom
Kastanienallee 55, 10119 Berlin Mitte
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