Further Links Contact Us Search Help

Syllabus | Exams | Assessment | Glossary | Site reviews | Careers

Textiles and Design

Home > Textiles and Design > Design > Historical design development: Central Asia

Design

---

Historical design development: Central Asia

In the Area of Study: Design, you will investigate the influence of historical developments on textiles. This tutorial focuses on Bright Flowers, a major exhibition presented by the Powerhouse Museum in 2004/2005 which showcased the textiles and ceramics of Central Asia.

Influence of history on design

The Central Asian region includes the states of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. It is an area that has had a long and colourful history, and this is reflected in its strikingly colourful textiles.

To find out more about the textiles of the Bright Flowers exhibition, visit the Powerhouse Museum web site at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/previous/bright_flowers.asp , and complete Activity 1.

Activity 1

1. For the Bright Flowers exhibition, explain what has inspired the design of the traditional crafts? Where are patterns and designs drawn from?
   
   
2. Select Teachers notes and from your reading of the notes, answer the following:
   When did the main part of the collection date from? (page1)
   
   
3. Examine the map on page 3 noting the locations of the traditional Silk Road routes.
   
   
4. From the Introduction (page 4) explain why the exhibition would be called Bright Flowers. What does the style and ornamentation of the textiles, ceramics, costume and jewellery reflect?
   
   
5. Date the inception (beginning) and decline (end) of the Silk Road . List the types of goods (commodities) that were traded along the Silk Road . What was also learned along the Silk Road from other traders and travellers? (page 4)
   
   
6. What is a dowry? Describe the contents of a Central Asian dowry. (page 4)
   
   
7. In relation to textiles, how did the work of the men and women differ? (pages 5 and 6)
   
   
8. In relation to textiles, how did the work of the men and women differ? (pages 5 and 6)
   
   
9. What were the main embroidery stitches used? (page 5) Make a sketch of each by visiting http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/index.html .
   By examining all of the photographs of the textile items in the Teachers notes, list the main colours used in the textile decorations.
   
   
10. What was the meaning and purpose of the bright flowers decorations? List and describe the meaning of other emblems, symbols and motifs used (pages 5 and 6).

Activity 2

Complete the focus questions on page 7 of the Teachers notes.

Activity 3

Complete either the Textiles or Design Post-visit research activities on page 8 of the Teachers notes. The answers are not found within the teachers notes.

Activity 4

Visit the HSC technology syllabus support: Case studies in design, technology and cultural diversity web site located at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/ and select Textile arts of Central Asia.

Select one or more of the following from the Textile Arts of Central Asia case study and complete the activity.

1. Historical influences: Investigate the history of the textile arts of Central Asia, using the timeline . Read through the timeline, making a list of those aspects which make reference to textiles, including the activity of The Silk Road.
   
   
2. The life of the nomad : Describe the extensive use of textiles, not only as part of the structure of the yurt, but also as decorative and functional items within the yurt.
   
   
3. The life of the oasis dweller: Explain how ikat is produced, by whom, from what fibres, and for what purpose. Describe the main features of a suzani and explain its special significance to the oasis (urban) dwellers of Central Asia.
   
   
4. Recent politics: Outline the introduction of cotton production in the Central Asia area. Was this good use of the land and was it successful?
   
   
5. The textiles of nomadic and settled people of Central Asia: Complete the activity as listed on the web site: Compare the roles of men and women in the production of textiles in nomadic and urban (settled peoples) lifestyles.
   
   
6. Textile arts: What is a motif? What are the most common motifs used and why? How are motifs passed on down the generations? What characteristics of a rug will help to communicate its cultural origin? Describe how felt rugs can be patterned.
   
   
7. The influence of Central Asian textiles on contemporary design: Name a contemporary textile designer and outline how they incorporate aspects of Central Asian textiles into their work.