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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 fragment undergoes over the course of these years...
...AND ON WE GO...
...WITH SADYA MIZAN
Culture is the most important base of human identity. The more welcome cultural diversity the more vibrant our lives becomes. I received the fragment of the lovely carpet from a dear one in Bangladesh who shared her beautiful cultural traces of natural colours and essence from Bangladesh. After I received the fragment I knew I also want to contribute traces of my culture on the surface of the carpet. In Bangladesh we also have floor mats that are used just like the carpets in other cultures, to sit and to decorate houses. Our most traditional carpet or floor mat is called 'Shitol Pati' which means "cooling mat", becasue it feel soft and cool when touches and the peace you get by sleeping on such a mat is only known by the one who had the opportunity. It is made from a specific tree branch straps and weaved with love and care into a mat with beautiful shapes and patterns of designs.
'Shitol Pati" on the Dragon Carpet
Looking at the carpet fragment I recalled the "Shitol Pati" from my Bangladeshi culture and could not wait to bring those motifs of 'Shitol Pati" on the Carpet. By the time I would start working on the carpet the revolutionary Student Movement happened in Bangladesh that made history and brought freedom to the country from a fascist regime. The revolution caused loss of a lot of young lives and hence that was marked by red colors as a color of protest. Here I use the red colors to recall the unity of the student and protest against injustice and weaving the color through the traditional motif of "Shitol Pati". It is my small attempt to share about the Bangladeshi culture and resistance of Bangladeshi people in the global history with the hope that culture brings all humanity closer beyond the borders.
Weaving cultural memories beyond borders
The journey begins...
...with 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.
Fragment #66's journey in Dhaka, Bangladesh
A short documentary exploring the transformative journey of Fragment #66. Sourcing natural ingredients like henna leaves, indigo, khoyer, and turmeric, we uncovered the essence of stains and the artistry of natural dyes in the bustling streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The concept of Stains in this project served as a gateway to a quite fascinating exploration of natural dyes. Inspired by the idea of stains, I began the journey by deliberately sourcing natural elements such as henna leaves, indigo, khoyer (Acacia ) and turmeric. These ingredients possessing unique cultural significance, were transformed into vibrant natural dyes. Of course, the wisdom brought on by shared creativity always enhances the artistic journey.
For this particular journey, I sought out the help of Papia Sarwar Dithi, an artist and architect in Dhaka with a passion for working with natural and recycled materials. Deeply connected to her roots finding inspiration in her love for her mother, music and Poetry, Papia brought a unique perspective to the project. Together we created beautiful hues! These hues, we transferred onto the carpet through brush strokes.
Final Results!
After its colourful journey in Dhaka, the carpet returns to my studio in Cottbus, Germany carrying with it the echoes of its transformation – a testament to the power of collaboration, the beauty of cultural exchange and the indomitable spirit of Dhaka. Fragment #66 is a part of a larger initiative by the Pergamon Museum, where 100 replicas of the historic ‘Dragon Carpet’ were created and distributed to individuals worldwide for artistic expression. Each person is allowed to keep the carpet for a designated period before passing it on to someone else, creating a global collaboration. The ultimate goal is to reunite all 100 pieces after three years of global exploration, stitching them together for an exhibition that symbolizes collaboration and cultural diversity. Fragment #66's journey in Dhaka was a unique opportunity for me to be a part of this meaningful moment in history.
Front and Back
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 on Instagram 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.
Where is the Dragon?
The star of the "CulturalxCollabs - Weaving the Future" project is a so-called Caucasian dragon carpet from the 17th century. A dragon carpet - all well and good - but: where is the dragon?
