Western Knotting Art: The Art of Macrame Tassels

Author: Gao Dandan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-07-01
Features: A careful viewer will surely remember in the movie Gone with the Wind, when Scarlett goes to the prison to beg Rhett for money, the tassels on her dress. The shimmering fringe, the dynamic movement, and the joy they exude added a touch of softness to Scarlett's determined gaze. Art has commonalities; Western knotting and Chinese knotting, apart from differences in techniques and color use, share the same intent in expression and representation. Moreover, Chinese knotting has had a profound influence on Western knotting. (With pictures!!!)
Author's Statement: In 1977, when I was teaching weaving art, I included fringe-making as a course—and I had no idea I was assigning myself such a broad home assignment. After in-depth research, I wrote a small booklet on fringe-making, and in 1991, I wrote a second one—Fringes: Wonderful Decorations. The creation of this book began after the completion of the first two. For those deeply drawn to the art of fringe-making and immersed in it, this book is filled with novel and exciting ideas and solutions. It includes instructions for making simple fringes, such as overviews of some brilliant knotting and rope-weaving techniques, but the focus is on techniques that personalize the work. Fringe-making is not a newly emerging craft; in fact, year after year, people have been making fringes, mostly out of personal interest. Visiting an ancient European castle, a desert tent, watching Gone with the Wind, or The Attack from the Lost Ark, you will find many fringes. They are rooted in the artistic soil of the past and present and are often symbols of culture. Fringes add sparkle, movement, and visual pleasure to our lives. I have been fortunate to share with others their insights into fringe-making, and the works of many of them are showcased in this book. Outside the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, there is a quote: "The wonder of every artwork lies in how fully it embodies its creative intent." Fringes are just such an art form, with the sole purpose of providing joy and fully embodying that intent.