For those who think that Amish only dress in dark colours, ride their covered buggies and reject all that is full of life and joy, the exhibition at the American Museum of Folk Art in New York might be a huge surprise. Far from the iconic image of the Amish men and women, the curators have put together a real show, a voyage into the world of an enigmatic and hidden religious belief, by selecting several Amish quilts from the Midwest.
The quilts are not only filled with various patterns, but are also rich with bright, intense colours, ranging from yellow to green, showcasing the fact that the Amish comunities in this region pay a great deal of attention to the beauty of these manufactured products, slowly and discretelly absorbing outside influences. Typical Midwestern Amish quilts are easy to recognise due to their block, geometrical motives, with thin or thick borders. They are made mostly out of cotton, but also of wool or varied combinations.
The exhibition at the American Museum of Folk Art is a rare occasion of discovering the folk art of an unknown community, passing over the legends, myths and gossip.
Photo : folkartmuseum.org
2007-07-03
