US citizens get acquainted with Turkmen ornament art
An exhibition dedicated to Turkmen and other Central Asian ornaments used in decoration of traditional national dwellings opened in the Textile Museum of Washington on March 30, the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports quoting the State News Service (TDH). The Turkmen exhibits dominate the exhibition. That is why it occupies a separate room. The other room features Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Karakalpak ornaments.
The exhibition inauguration was preceded by a reception on behalf of the Textile Museum of Washington and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the U.S. Some 400 people, including government officials, a number of universities, famous art critics, diplomats and big businessmen attended the ceremony. The Textile Museum board chairman, Bruce Baganaz, Turkmenistan's Ambassador to the US Mered Orazov and museum director Daniel Walker spoke at the inauguration ceremony.
The exhibition will be open until August 19. Booklets dedicated to the exhibition will be published soon.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Textile Museum Display
It is time to treat Native Americans with dignity and respect
Yours truly,
Barry O'Connell
Yours truly,
Barry O'Connell
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Dusty Robert's web site www.therughub.com
Hello ,
One little known secret of the Internet is Dusty Robert's web site www.therughub.com. Nice people and a good discussion. It even has a forum with a Rug ID section.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
240-988-4866
One little known secret of the Internet is Dusty Robert's web site www.therughub.com. Nice people and a good discussion. It even has a forum with a Rug ID section.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
240-988-4866
AFGHAN-AMERICAN SISTERS LAUNCH NEW LA BEL AT “STANDING ROOM ONLY” D.C. EVENT
Washington, D.C.- On Thursday, March 29th 2007, the first Afghanistan collection of handcrafted jewelry, home décor, and accessories was launched at Pangea Artisan Market & Café at IFC by Artizan Sarai, a unique online boutique for stylish and socially conscious consumers. The event drew an audience of over 200 people, many who were turned away at the door because of over capacity, who were interested in purchasing the label's highly anticipated collection of handcrafted jewelry, embroidered home décor, and exquisite fashion accessories.
Created by four Afghan-American sisters Alina Atash, Mariam A. Nawabi, Samira Atash, and Zohra Atash, Artizan Sarai blends inspiration from the ancient Silk Road and tempts global trendsetters with its original selection of contemporary and stylish products. The sisters, with career backgrounds in interior design, law, fashion design, and journalism, returned to Afghanistan three years ago, the first time since they left as children before the Soviet invasion.
Upon their return, they were affected by the poor living conditions and decided the best way to help was to create sustainable jobs for Afghans, who they see as willing, hard-working, and hopeful despite years of war, turmoil and oppression. They decided to create a home décor and accessories label that would elevate the image of Afghan-made products. For two years, they worked and trained artisans on design, proper finishing and quality control standards so that the products could compete on an international level.
"I am weary of Afghans being viewed as burqa-wearing, anti-American terrorists. It's a stereotype that needs to be changed. Afghans have a proud and rich history and should be respected for their talents, culture, and art. The hand embroidery, engraving, and craftsmanship that can be found there are some of the best in the world. Artizan Sarai will showcase this and bring Afghan products to a new level", states Samira Atash, fashion designer, co-founder and Creative Director.
Artizan Sarai's mission is to create opportunities for artisans in economically disadvantaged areas of the world, primarily Afghanistan, and to bridge cultures through artistic expression. The label strives to generate a strong U.S. consumer response that will drive positive change for artisans in Afghanistan.
Mariam A. Nawabi, co-founder, attorney and guest speaker noted, "There is a direct link between poverty and conflict and in order to win the peace in Afghanistan, we need to provide opportunities for the Afghan people. Americans can positively impact the lives of Afghan artisans through their purchasing power and bring hope to their future."
Artizan Sarai's official launch at Pangea Market was standing room only and offered sophisticated guests the opportunity to hear, taste and purchase a piece of Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage. As part of the event, live traditional Afghan music was performed and delicious Afghan hors d'oeuvres served. Artizan Sarai products were purchased by high official guests from the State Department, World Bank, Capitol Hill, and more, as store operators quickly restocked the popular merchandise.
Interior designer and co-founder Alina Atash, states, "We are proud that our launch was a huge success. Our collection reflects Afghanistan's cultural legacy and marks Artizan Sarai's breakthrough into the U.S. market-one that craves the rare and exclusive styles being cultivated in exotic locations."
The official website www.artizansarai.com is set to launch April 10th, 2007. The sisters' next goal is source products from other economically disadvantaged areas of the world such as Palestine and Iraq.
Created by four Afghan-American sisters Alina Atash, Mariam A. Nawabi, Samira Atash, and Zohra Atash, Artizan Sarai blends inspiration from the ancient Silk Road and tempts global trendsetters with its original selection of contemporary and stylish products. The sisters, with career backgrounds in interior design, law, fashion design, and journalism, returned to Afghanistan three years ago, the first time since they left as children before the Soviet invasion.
Upon their return, they were affected by the poor living conditions and decided the best way to help was to create sustainable jobs for Afghans, who they see as willing, hard-working, and hopeful despite years of war, turmoil and oppression. They decided to create a home décor and accessories label that would elevate the image of Afghan-made products. For two years, they worked and trained artisans on design, proper finishing and quality control standards so that the products could compete on an international level.
"I am weary of Afghans being viewed as burqa-wearing, anti-American terrorists. It's a stereotype that needs to be changed. Afghans have a proud and rich history and should be respected for their talents, culture, and art. The hand embroidery, engraving, and craftsmanship that can be found there are some of the best in the world. Artizan Sarai will showcase this and bring Afghan products to a new level", states Samira Atash, fashion designer, co-founder and Creative Director.
Artizan Sarai's mission is to create opportunities for artisans in economically disadvantaged areas of the world, primarily Afghanistan, and to bridge cultures through artistic expression. The label strives to generate a strong U.S. consumer response that will drive positive change for artisans in Afghanistan.
Mariam A. Nawabi, co-founder, attorney and guest speaker noted, "There is a direct link between poverty and conflict and in order to win the peace in Afghanistan, we need to provide opportunities for the Afghan people. Americans can positively impact the lives of Afghan artisans through their purchasing power and bring hope to their future."
Artizan Sarai's official launch at Pangea Market was standing room only and offered sophisticated guests the opportunity to hear, taste and purchase a piece of Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage. As part of the event, live traditional Afghan music was performed and delicious Afghan hors d'oeuvres served. Artizan Sarai products were purchased by high official guests from the State Department, World Bank, Capitol Hill, and more, as store operators quickly restocked the popular merchandise.
Interior designer and co-founder Alina Atash, states, "We are proud that our launch was a huge success. Our collection reflects Afghanistan's cultural legacy and marks Artizan Sarai's breakthrough into the U.S. market-one that craves the rare and exclusive styles being cultivated in exotic locations."
The official website www.artizansarai.com is set to launch April 10th, 2007. The sisters' next goal is source products from other economically disadvantaged areas of the world such as Palestine and Iraq.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Sotheby's Spring Carpet Auction London
Sotheby's Spring Carpet Auction London
The catalogues are mailed and the sale is on-line. Jacqueline Coulter has put together another top sale that is well worth a look.
Session 1: Tuesday, 17 Apr 07, 2:00 PM
London, New Bond Street BROWSE CATALOGUE
Jacqueline Coulter
Senior Director, UK and Europe - Carpets
Tel: +44 20 7293 5232
jackie.coulter@sothebys.com
The catalogues are mailed and the sale is on-line. Jacqueline Coulter has put together another top sale that is well worth a look.
Session 1: Tuesday, 17 Apr 07, 2:00 PM
London, New Bond Street BROWSE CATALOGUE
Jacqueline Coulter
Senior Director, UK and Europe - Carpets
Tel: +44 20 7293 5232
jackie.coulter@sothebys.com
The RIA Convention
Recently I had the opportunity to speak at the RIA convention in Orlando. RIA was ASCR, was AIDS, was NIRC. It is the trade group for Rug Cleaners and Restoration Professionals. Uncle Jimmy Keshishian was national president back in 1981 when it was NIRC (National Institute of Rug Cleaners, I think, or maybe it was AIDS). Anyway they found me and persuaded me to come and talk. I prepared a long PowerPoint show and just talked about the rugs. I was going to talk about Persian Rugs as a non-verbal language but at the last minute I decided against it. I recalled a comment by Stuart Cary Welch in the forward of one of his books. He said something about writing a specialist book for the 6 experts in the field or he could write for the general public. He chose to write for the public. I am glad I kept it general since I think everyone enjoyed it. Actually I hope they enjoyed it since I have not seen the comment cards yet.
I think I need to get out and lecture more. I learn far more than I teach but the reaction tends to be positive anyway. I find that more and more of my thoughts are becoming generally accepted. Years ago one of the curators at the Smithsonian responded to one of my theories by saying, "Mr. O'Connell, You have every right to think so... But keep in mind that No One Agrees". Now I hear people advance ideas that only a few years ago I was castigated for when I came up with them. Not to pick on anyone in particular but it is heartening to see ideas gain traction. I think the success of my sites is due in large part to the fact that when I make a mistake I go back and correct it. One of the weaknesses of the Internet is that all time is now. All too often errors left uncorrected take on a life of their own.
Best wishes,
Barry
I think I need to get out and lecture more. I learn far more than I teach but the reaction tends to be positive anyway. I find that more and more of my thoughts are becoming generally accepted. Years ago one of the curators at the Smithsonian responded to one of my theories by saying, "Mr. O'Connell, You have every right to think so... But keep in mind that No One Agrees". Now I hear people advance ideas that only a few years ago I was castigated for when I came up with them. Not to pick on anyone in particular but it is heartening to see ideas gain traction. I think the success of my sites is due in large part to the fact that when I make a mistake I go back and correct it. One of the weaknesses of the Internet is that all time is now. All too often errors left uncorrected take on a life of their own.
Best wishes,
Barry
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Some of My Most Viewed Pages
Hello,
I find it humorous at times that some of my most viewed pages are not about Oriental Rugs at all. My site www.PersianCarpetGuide.com does very well on Google Images and two of the most popular are my Guide to Mamluk Art especially the picture of the The Tipu Sultan Sword with fifteenth-century Mamluk or Ottoman Damascus watered steel blade. and also my Mashad Rugs: Guide to Mashhad Carpets. Both pages have rugs but going through the Analytics it is the sword in one and the Mosque in the other that bring the viewers. I do not mind a bit. It gives me a chance to teach new people about rugs. Of course that is Google Images which is very different from regular Google
Best wishes,
Barry
I find it humorous at times that some of my most viewed pages are not about Oriental Rugs at all. My site www.PersianCarpetGuide.com does very well on Google Images and two of the most popular are my Guide to Mamluk Art especially the picture of the The Tipu Sultan Sword with fifteenth-century Mamluk or Ottoman Damascus watered steel blade. and also my Mashad Rugs: Guide to Mashhad Carpets. Both pages have rugs but going through the Analytics it is the sword in one and the Mosque in the other that bring the viewers. I do not mind a bit. It gives me a chance to teach new people about rugs. Of course that is Google Images which is very different from regular Google
Best wishes,
Barry
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