February11

"The weaving methods of the Incas, like all else about them, were functional. Three grades of wool cloth, all distinguished by names, were woven: the common was awaka woven material; the finest and most finished (on both sides) was kumpi; many Inca materials were done in tapestry weave, but much of this has perished due to the climate. The thick and heavy weave, chusi was a baizelike material used for bed or floor covering. The looms on which the finest kumpi material materials were woven were "...made on frames of considerable size, the function of the lateral beams being to give rigidity and a proper tautness to the warp. There were no needles in these frames, all the work being done by the weaver's fingers and by the spindles or bobbins carrying the colored weft-threads which were beaten up after insertion by the use of the weave dagger...They also fashioned the feather tunics, a mosaic of jungle-bird feathers put quill-first into the warp of the weaving. "The luster, splendor and sheen of the fabrics of feather-work,"said a Jesuit chronicler, "were of such beauty that it is impossible to make them understood,unless by showing them." And what he said then applies equally now. They are indescribable except to call them feather mosaics. In addition to the feather weaving, they did others in which the cloth was richly adorned with bangles of gold or tiny bells, and golden particles called chaquira; there were tunics completely covered with gold, silver or burnished copper pieces. I can go no further in description except to urge those in reach of a museum to seek them out."*( A bit fancier than our prayer flags! Leaving the feathers on the birds and having them sing into the studio window is more in the spirit of our effort I believe. I thought it would still be inspirational for us though! ) I promise to add more tomorrow...


	Through My Eyes Tuesday February 11 "The weaving methods of the Incas, like all else about them, were functional. Three grades of wool cloth, all distinguished by names, were woven: the common was awaka woven material; the finest and most finished (on both sides) was kumpi; many Inca materials were done in tapestry weave, but much of this has perished due to the climate. The thick and heavy weave, chusi was a baizelike material used for bed or floor covering. The looms on which the finest kumpi material materials were woven were "...made on frames of considerable size, the function of the lateral beams being to give rigidity and a proper tautness to the warp. There were no needles in these frames, all the work being done by the weaver's fingers and by the spindles or bobbins carrying the colored weft-threads which were beaten up after insertion by the use of the weave dagger...They also fashioned the feather tunics, a mosaic of jungle-bird feathers put quill-first into the warp of the weaving. "The luster, splendor and sheen of the fabrics of feather-work,"said a Jesuit chronicler, "were of such beauty that it is impossible to make them understood,unless by showing them." And what he said then applies equally now. They are indescribable except to call them feather mosaics. In addition to the feather weaving, they did others in which the cloth was richly adorned with bangles of gold or tiny bells, and golden particles called chaquira; there were tunics completely covered with gold, silver or burnished copper pieces. I can go no further in description except to urge those in reach of a museum to seek them out."( A bit fancier than our prayer flags! Leaving the feathers on the birds and having them sing into the studio window is more in the spirit of our effort I believe. I thought it would still be inspirational for us though! ) I promise to add more tomorrow... Through my eye s this is still from Realm of the Incas