Women Behind the Kilim Loom: From Bauhaus to Bosphorus
Berlin exhibition unites art and weaving tradition - and celebrates Kilim artwork by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl starting October 19, 2023, as part of a creative weavers' project
Save the Date: October 19, 2023, 7 PM
Opening of the exhibition "Women Behind the Weave: Bauhaus to Bosphorus" Special Guests: Matthew Bourne and Dorothy Bourne from Christopher Farr
Location: Kastanienallee 55, 10119 Berlin
Exhibition Duration: October 19 – November 16, 2023 (Finissage)
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Photo: "1923" Kilim rug based on an original design by Gunta Stölzl
- As part of the grand opening of the new Wild Heart Free Soul Kilim showroom in Berlin Mitte, owner Beyza Nur Özler is presenting the exhibition "Women Behind The Weave: From Bauhaus to Bosphorus" for the first time in Germany.
- The exhibition exclusively features the kilim rug "1923," produced by carpet manufacturer Christopher Farr based on an original design by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl and sourced 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 created 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 using traditional Anatolian kilim weaving techniques. Weaver and textile designer Gunta Stölzl was the first master at the Bauhaus art school and is considered a pioneer in the revival of hand weaving.
- The "Women Behind the Weave" exhibition also showcases fifteen woven kilim rugs created by Kirkit weavers according to their own designs. These unique kilim art pieces are exclusively offered for sale through Wild Heart Free Soul, with proceeds going to a local charity of Kirkit's choice.
- Kirkit sets new standards for the well-being of weavers, advocates for a sustainable industry standard, and thus secures 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 Bosphorus"
Handwoven, sustainable, tradition-conscious: On the occasion of the introduction of a newly produced kilim rug by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl (1897-1983), the renowned carpet producer Christopher Farr has teamed up with the Kirkit workshop. Christopher Farr has previously produced carpets by famous Bauhaus artists such as Anni Albers and Josef Albers.
Stölzl not only gained fame as the first female Bauhaus master but also for her unconventional approach. 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 led weaving into modernity.
For the first time in Germany, a new design by Bauhaus master Gunta Stölzl, woven by weavers from the Kirkit Kilim workshop, will be on display.
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 artworks created by individual weavers from the Kirkit workshop. These produced flat weaves according to their own ideas and not according to a predetermined pattern. The only guidelines were to work on 1 m² and to use leftover yarn.
The exhibition takes place in the new Wild Heart Free Soul showroom in Berlin Mitte, whose owner Beyza Özler has been dedicated to trading antique and semi-antique kilims and carpets from Anatolia for 10 years. Wild Heart Free Soul founder Beyza Özler: "The exhibition focuses not only on the artistic and 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 carpet weaving and to revolutionize carpet production with regard to social responsibility, fair remuneration, and recognition of the weavers. Kirkit employs twenty-three weavers with regulated 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 provide a public platform for the Kirkit weavers to promote their sustainable business approach, their unique model workshop, and their values (fair trade, sustainability, respect for weavers). The shared goal: to gain the respect that knotters & weavers deserve and to ensure that the millennia-old knowledge of traditional carpet production and their cultural heritage is preserved for the future.
Matthew Bourne, Co-Founder of Christopher Farr: "We are delighted that the women of the Kirkit workshop have produced these woven pieces, as a tribute to the unparalleled tradition of kilim weaving in Anatolia, which has persisted for millennia. It is important that this tradition continues, and the best way to ensure this is to value this craft and the women who create it. One cannot imagine a world where the French would allow their wine industry to disappear. Weaving is of equal cultural importance for Turkey and the other countries of Asia Minor."
Excursion Kilim Rugs: Artistic Treasures from 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 carpets is the kilim rug, which has been produced for centuries in various parts of the world. Kilims were made by nomadic tribes in the Middle East and Central Asia as practical and decorative items. They were used to adorn tents, cover floors, 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 made from 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 palettes, reflecting cultural diversity and artisanal mastery.
The production of kilim rugs is a complex process that requires skill, patience, and dedication. Unlike traditionally woven carpets, kilims are not made on a loom but on a horizontal frame, which allows weavers to manually tension the warp threads and insert the weft threads. This process requires precise handwork and is time-consuming.
The selection of materials is also of great importance. High-quality wool and cotton are often used to produce durable and hard-wearing kilims. The dyeing of the yarns is often done naturally with plant dyes, which gives kilims their characteristic, earthy colors.
Another remarkable feature of kilim rugs is their flat, woven structure. Unlike thicker, knotted 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 symbolic meaning. In many cultures, they are associated with luck, protection, and spiritual values. In Turkey, for example, kilims are often given as gifts on special occasions such as weddings and are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the couple.
Moreover, 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 it.
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, a third-generation weaver. Kirkit Rugs is an Istanbul-based company with additional hand-knotted and specialized kilim workshops in Turkey, producing high-quality carpets exported worldwide. The company regularly participates in international trade fairs, including Domotex, Hannover, Maison et Objet, Paris, and in the USA. Kirkit collaborates with international designers and has experience in weaving custom orders in special colors and sizes.
Photo: The weavers on the Bauhaus stairs, 1927
Excursion: 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 crucial turn when she joined the Bauhaus in Weimar. Founded by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus aimed to break down the traditional boundaries between craft and fine art, promoting a holistic approach to design. Central to the Bauhaus philosophy was the idea that art and design should be integrated into daily 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 in the weaving workshop. In this role, she began to experiment with innovative weaving techniques and materials, pushing the boundaries of textile design. Her work garnered attention not only for its aesthetics but also for its functional qualities. Stölzl's creations were not mere decorations but practical everyday 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. In an era when women in this field were often relegated to 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 the 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 involved weaving two layers of fabric simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional effect that added depth and texture to her designs. Her experiments with new materials, colors, and patterns expanded the possibilities of textile art, making 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 female artists and designers to break free from traditional constraints. Gunta Stölzl's legacy reminds us that art knows no gender and that the boundaries of artistic expression are limited only by one's imagination.
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