tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post5248455129807282644..comments2024-02-15T15:07:32.032-07:00Comments on Molly Elkind : Talking Textiles: Pueblo textiles: a weaver’s education continuesMolly Elkindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023697000956664007noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-70564646610055331962018-12-06T20:26:44.484-07:002018-12-06T20:26:44.484-07:00Since reading the article originally I have tried ...Since reading the article originally I have tried to do some research and I have been strongly affected by the story of the Navaho-Churro sheep in the book "Staying with the Troubles" by Donna J. Haraway. Since I am of Polish descent, I am starting to look towards my heritage culture rather than "borrow" from a native culture I don't fully understand and try to continue to tell my own unique story. Thank you for the opportunity to contemplate these concepts and move on to continued consideration and some semblance of understanding.pcooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133138883802067865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-52755342314057092702018-10-05T09:39:37.628-06:002018-10-05T09:39:37.628-06:00Fascinating perspective. Thanks for the discussion...Fascinating perspective. Thanks for the discussion everybody. Marilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09229183037702338171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-56619613940161385882018-10-04T12:47:19.123-06:002018-10-04T12:47:19.123-06:00Yes, Mary, I’m thinking that too. As Michiele poi...Yes, Mary, I’m thinking that too. As Michiele pointed out too, some Native weavers happily teach their techniques to non-Natives. But I think many also draw a line and do not share everything. As is their right. And we need to be careful as you say not to use others’ sacred symbols and patterns casually. Molly Elkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023697000956664007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-89573691396028031992018-10-04T12:38:50.136-06:002018-10-04T12:38:50.136-06:00Thanks for writing! It is a dilemma. Obviously we...Thanks for writing! It is a dilemma. Obviously we are all influenced, often subconsciously, by everything we have seen and learned, and it can be very hard to tease out what is ours and what is someone else’s. I agree with you that it’s more problematic when we copy specific patterns that have special sacred meanings to specific peoples, than it is to use a particular technique in our own way to make our own communication. But I’m willing to consider that I could be wrong on this! Molly Elkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023697000956664007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-45238282822229113012018-10-04T12:38:28.106-06:002018-10-04T12:38:28.106-06:00I'm wondering if an important difference is be...I'm wondering if an important difference is between using the techniques of Navajo weavers and using their symbols. After all, there are many Navajo weavers who teach the techniques to non-Navajos. I, too, struggle with this.Mary Berrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-13172979801222269732018-10-04T11:35:54.874-06:002018-10-04T11:35:54.874-06:00As usual you gave us plenty to think about. I am ...As usual you gave us plenty to think about. I am not sure how I feel about this. While I recognize that their work is grounded in their beliefs I feel strongly that it is important to pass on techniques to those who are eager to learn them. I would say that the traditional patterns are theirs but if someone wants to learn the techniques and weave their own interpretation of their love of a landscape (not necessarily the west),their own spiritual ideals or dreams, that is up to that person. I am working on an art quilt that incorporates symbolism, mostly from my dreams, which means that everything I have learned is grist for that unconscious mill; how it comes out after being process by my subconscious is mine, but I try to filter it through a lens of not "stealing" from other cultures. I find it a joyful dilemma.pcooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133138883802067865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-40815608080508844452018-10-04T07:12:24.731-06:002018-10-04T07:12:24.731-06:00Michiele, Thanks for chiming in. I totally agree w...Michiele, Thanks for chiming in. I totally agree with you about struggling with what to do with our own heartfelt appreciation for Native work, how to be inspired and show appreciation without appropriating. I was thinking about the wedge weave technique, which seems to have become mainstream more so than other Native techniques and patterns. I wonder what others think. <br />I have wanted to take a class at Weaving in Beauty! I really look forward to hearing your report on that! Let me know if you come through Santa Fe! Molly Elkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023697000956664007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-89776768666457149522018-10-04T07:07:58.156-06:002018-10-04T07:07:58.156-06:00Rebecca, Thanks for adding your experience in Vanc...Rebecca, Thanks for adding your experience in Vancouver to this discussion. This is clearly an issue with worldwide relevance. It is heartbreaking to me to think that some Native weavers are selling their work reluctantly, because they need to. Indeed, heartbreak was a strong undercurrent in the whole panel discussion I heard here. <br />Molly Elkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01023697000956664007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-29607412428386924112018-10-03T21:11:43.358-06:002018-10-03T21:11:43.358-06:00I appreciate the opportunity to explore this conun...I appreciate the opportunity to explore this conundrum again. I am so in love with the weaving techiques and art of Navajo weavers. I hope my use of these techniques is more about appreciation rather than appropriation. <br /><br />Thank you Molly for a thought provoking post. I will head to Gallup this summer for a week long class at Weaving in Beauty Mercantile to learn more.michielerelliott@yahoo.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09032582729675273762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810530569984483994.post-44870399441094063272018-10-03T19:34:59.094-06:002018-10-03T19:34:59.094-06:00Louie is doing some great work in NM for Pueblo we...Louie is doing some great work in NM for Pueblo weavers. I was able to go to a talk and demo by him at the Folk Art Museum. Smart and articulate and it was fascinating to see him work.<br /><br />At the recent Textile Society of America conference in Vanocuver, the keynote was given by Meghann O'Brien who is from the Haida tribe and she talked about this subject. About how the weaving and basketry all has connections to ceremony. She has a show in Vancouver right now and I was able to see her Sky Blanket. She talked beautifully about wanting that textile to return to her tribe so that it could be part of important ceremonies which was why it was made (it has been on tour since she finished it in 2014). Your thoughts about Pueblo weavers remind me of this strongly. As I heard from several native people at the conference, their art comes from spiritual places including ceremony. It is sold to support themselves, but that might not be their choice. (I am not sure where I'm going with that, but wanted to say I appreciate your thoughts here.) Rebecca Mezoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138972934775842473noreply@blogger.com