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Fragment No. 66
This fragment is part of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" carpet.
Through the fragment we trace the journey of the fragment owners and their collabs as they explore, experiment and creatively advance socially relevant themes. Here is the fragment as we are sending it on this three and a half-year journey.
Follow this story to observe the transformations the fragement undergoes over the course of these years.
Front and Back
The journey begins...
...with the first owner Khandoker Upama Kabir
In the intricate tapestry of cultures, stains tell stories, etching memories into the very fabric of our lives. They are more than blemishes; they are imprints of moments frozen in time. A simple mark can carry the weight of an entire event, like the cherished stain of henna from someone's wedding, forever etched into our hearts.
Much like history's ink, the circumstances of a stain can infuse it with profound value. Consider the blood stains on a carpet where a pivotal political figure drew their last breath. In those splotches, we find a living testament to the passage of time, to moments that altered the course of nations. The Dragon Carpet's white spots, remnants of a fiery trial in WWII, carry echoes of history that resonate through the ages.
In my endeavour, I seek to encapsulate a fragment of this rich tapestry - a celebration of collaboration on a community level, wrought with natural hues from plant materials. Like the ceremonial application of mehndi or henna, a cherished ritual in my culture, the act of adorning a bride's hands before her wedding is a communal affair, where women come together in shared artistry.
This micro-collaboration extends beyond the surface, weaving threads of tradition and heritage. It's in these moments that oral histories and cherished customs are passed down, generation to generation. The strokes of henna on the skin are not just patterns; they are living embodiments of the cultural mosaic.
These types of micro-community collaborations, like the henna night, are vital. They serve as living bridges between generations, preserving customs that might otherwise fade. They foster unity and kinship, allowing us to connect not only with our past but also with one another. They are the heartbeat of cultural continuity, echoing through time, and leaving indelible marks on the canvas of history.
Through my journey with the carpet, I'll be sharing with you these small micro-collaborations and in the process weave a narrative that ultimately culminates in a work of art, crafted from the threads of these stories.
- Khandoker Upama Kabir
Architect, Artist
About the Project
The Museum for Islamic Art's project, #CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the future, celebrates the transformative power of cultural exchange and the shared threads that unite us all. All the things we love, have loved and will ever love come from cultural exchange, migration and diversity, or as we like to call it #CulturalxCollabs.
100 carpet fragments, cut from a replica of the iconic dragon carpet, will travel the world (delivered by DHL). The fragments will ignite #CulturalxCollabs with co-creators, inspiring human ingenuity, fostering community and ultimately demonstrating how cultural exchange enriches all our lives.
Follow #CulturalxCollabs online as the project unfolds...
...or learn more here
Weaving the Future
Join us on a journey with 100 carpet fragments as they travel around the world for three and a half years, finding temporary homes while bridging cultural boundaries, fostering worldwide community united by the power of human stories.
Fragment Journeys
100 carpet fragments part of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" project. Follow their journeys through the ever changing owners' over three and a half years.
