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Slug:  ‘Beyond The Bag’ To Show At The Textile Museum

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WASHINGTON, DC — “Beyond the Bag: Textiles as Containers,” on view at The Textile Museum January 28–June 5, will explore the many ways different cultures create textiles to be used as containers.

In addition to performing the practical functions of holding, carrying and protecting everyday items, textile containers can be objects of artistic beauty and provide insight into different cultural lifestyles. Unlike bags or containers made from rigid materials such as clay or glass, textile containers offer flexibility of use by adapting to whatever item they are carrying. Often, textile containers collapse when not in use, providing the advantage of taking up minimal storage space.

Some textiles are constructed for specific purposes while others are built to address a variety of storage needs, such as Iranian salt bags, which are suitable for carrying grain, seeds, flour, fruit and nuts in addition to the salt needed for sheep in the country’s high mountain pastures.

Different cultures use textile containers according to their own storage and transportation needs. Nomadic groups use containers that are easy to adapt to their movements by functioning as containers on pack animals during periods of travel and then as storage items within tents when not traveling.

In addition to their utilitarian roles, textile containers can also convey messages of festivity, status or gender distinction. During Iranian weddings, for example, the families in a symbolic gesture sometimes exchange salt bags filled with salt. In other cultures, special bags are reserved for men who have killed a certain number of cattle or for those who participate in cultural festivities.

The Textile Museum is at 2320 S Street, Northwest. It is open Monday–Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm; admission is free. For information, 202-667-0441 or www.textilemuseum.org.