Writing with Thread

A world-class exhibit "Writing with Textiles: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities" extends it's run at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Art Gallery through November 30, 2008.

In this 6:33 minute multimedia extra from the UH Malamalama magazine, Assistant Professor of Chinese Art History Kate Lingley gives a scholars-eye view of the exhibit, which features beautifully crafted clothing from over 15 ethnic groups and 100 subgroups of people from southwest China.

Lingley begins by mentioning that UH Manoa's art history program is unique in that it is explicitly Asia-Pacific focused. Then she introduces the exhibit by pointing out clothing styles influenced by proximity to Han Chinese. Special attention is given to the Miao people, both their elaborate silver ornamentation and prosaic expression of "Writing with Thread."

This is the first time these items have been seen in the United States. The music is a traditional Miao folk song for hauling water called "Dan shui ge."

Malamalama magazine
http://www.hawaii.edu/malamalama/2008...

"Writing With Thread" exhibit home page
http://www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/writ...

Manoa Art Gallery location and hours
http://www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/

Manoa Department of Art and Art History
http://www.hawaii.edu/art/