Western knotting art

Author: Gao Dandan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-07-01
Features: A careful viewer will surely remember the tassels on Scarlett's dress when she went to the prison to beg Rhett for money in the movie Gone with the Wind. The shimmering tassels, their flowing motion, and joyful elegance added a touch of softness to Scarlett's determined gaze. Art has universality. 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 tassel 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 tassel making. In 1991, I wrote a second one—Tassels: Wonderful Decorations. The creation of this book began after the completion of the first two. For those deeply drawn to the art of tassel making and immersed in it, this book is filled with novel and exciting ideas and solutions. It includes instructions for making simple tassels, such as overviews of some brilliant knotting and rope-weaving techniques, but the focus is on techniques that can personalize your work. Tassel making is not a new craft; in fact, year after year, people have been making tassels, mostly out of personal interest. Visiting an ancient European castle, a desert tent, watching Gone with the Wind, or The Attackers from the Lost Ark, you will find many tassels. They are rooted in the artistic soil of the past and present and are often symbols of culture. Tassels add sparkle, motion, and visual pleasure to our lives. I have been fortunate to share with others their insights into tassel making, and the works of many of them are featured 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." Tassel making is just such an art form, with its sole purpose being to bring joy and fully embody that intent.