Quilts serve as creative expressions steeped in rich
tradition that bring people together. Quilts
are beautiful to look at, and they are functional, but quilts almost represent a
theory of utopian female socialism because the ownership and control of the
quilt (capital), and means of assembly are almost solely retained by the women
of community as a whole.
After the readings, I
have no solid conclusion about the dichotomy of quilting as an art or a craft. Since quilts are dominantly female productions,
they are seen as women’s work; therefore, quilting historically has been seen as
a craft or skill, and not as an work of art, since men prevailed in the arts.
Mostly girls learn from the women in their lives how to quilt, and it is a
female bonding activity, “The common task that had brought them together to sew also brought them
together to talk and share stories” (19). Quilts often tell histories or document life
events. Being able to quilt was seen as
making a functional or financial contribution to the family unit or community.
*(utopian female socialism is my own made up phrase)
Love your phrase "utopian female socialism." I kept thinking about Marx and women and wage-labour as society transitioned from subsistence to capitalism.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm wrong, but I think quilts are most definitely art and are seen as such now in this day and age. That's one reason why they are featured in exhibits. To look upon their beauty in admiration and with respect as art. I hope that art in general is not seen as a male-dominated area of society. However this could be true and I'm just naïve.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how quilting ties into nostalgia now. Pieces of history are increasingly being positioned as art - only photos, signs, even ads.
DeleteYolanda,
ReplyDeleteQuilting is one of the few activities where women don't have to compete with men. Although I am sure there are some men out there that like quilting (I've never met one), this is a skill almost exclusively dominated by women. That said, your term "female socialism" fits in.
Nora
It does seem sort of "owned" by women, but it is interesting to think of competing with anyone when quilting. Quilters do compete though, right (who has the best design, best techniques, leads the quilting group)?
Delete