A textile view of our world
(18.07.2021 – 26.09.2021)
The exhibition “Keep Your Eye on the Planet” focuses on a consciously observant approach to our planet in 45 textile objects and brings a piece of Afghan culture to Europe. Impressive hand-embroidered and unique pieces are created in Laghmani, north of Kabul.
The practice of embroidery, formerly a traditional handicraft technique in Afghanistan, was no longer actively carried out in the war-torn everyday life of the early 2000s. Within the framework of the embroidery programme “Guldusi” of the “German-Afghan Initiative (DAI e.V.)”, the technique was taken up again from 2004. Since then, the programme has enabled over 200 embroiderers in three villages to improve their financial situation and allows a certain independence. The Afghan embroideries are sold in Europe, where they serve as a nucleus for artistic-creative work. Textile workers are invited to integrate the embroidered unique pieces into their own designs and to participate in regular thematic tenders.
On the occasion of the “Keep Your Eye on the Planet” call, 113 applications were submitted from 12 European countries, 45 of which were retained and went on the road. The challenge was to incorporate an embroidered eye or pair of eyes of the Afghan woman into a 60×60 cm textile work; in doing so, the multi-faceted theme was to be interpreted. For example, ecological aspects were the focus of many of these works, especially the sea, which makes up two-thirds of the earth’s surface. The care for one’s fellow human beings is expressed with commitment in some of the works.
