Problem with direction of Hali

[Michael H Kaplan]

I am relatively new to this forum but am very interested in textiles. To be specific piled carpets. I have subscribed to Hali. Joined the D.C. Textile Museum and become a member of the IHBS in DC. The last issue (Spring)of Hali for which the hard copy came a few days ago is disappointing. Most of the articles are on topics that relate to textiles but not to piled carpets. Same with the Textile Museum and to a lesser extent with the IHBS. I know our numbers are decreasing and by opening these groups and publications up to more than piled carpets they are broadening their base still I would hope that most attention would still be on pilled carpets. Disappointing.

[Steve Price]

Hi Michael

First, welcome to Turkotek.

HALI has been including textiles other than pile carpets for at least the last 35 years, probably from their beginning in 1978. It isn't something they started doing recently to expand their subscriber base. The Textile Museum has also been exhibiting a wide variety of textile types for at least 35 years, and their annual Symposium has seldom been restricted to pile weavings.

Many collectors are pretty eclectic. Those that specialize usually focus on textiles of some geographic area or culture rather than on a technique, although I know a few who only collect embroideries.

I think you're stuck with the reality of the world of textiles, of which pile weaving is only a fraction.

Regards,

Steve Price

[Michael H Kaplan]

In response to Steve Price's comment:
I actually subscribed to Hali on line for the last year and have read all the issues from issue 1. I went back and re looked at some earlier issues. If you look at Vol. 1 No. 3 of the 13 articles listed all but one were on pile carpets. In Vol. 3 No.3 of the eight articles listed 7 were on pile carpets. But you are basically correct as the years rolled by other textiles were discussed more frequently in Hali. The TM is a different story. Since the move to GW the time and space devoted to exhibits on pilled carpets has decreased. The Saturday morning meetings still seem focused on pile carpets. I am still a newbie but learning quickly. I love carpets. Am a collector of carpet books as well as rugs. As an aside I will be giving a talk on "Lighting Your Carpets" under the auspices of the IHBS at the TM this coming Saturday June 3 from 2 to 4 PM. You have a discussion of a similar topic on this forum. Thank you for your response. Michael Kaplan

[Steve Price]

Hi Michael

Lighting is an interesting topic. Wish I could get to your talk tomorrow, but although I'm only about 100 milers away the drive back from DC has become increasingly maddening over the years and I don't get up there very much anymore.

Steve Price