Exhibition, Würzburg  / Germany 18 Sept. - 3 Nov. 2007

The Splendour of Natural Dyes
in Anatolian Kilims and Carpets

This exhibition shows kilims in traditional Anatolian pattern, as part of the Bieber Project. Local wool was hand - processed and dyed with natural dyes, applying the knowledge of fermenting, etching and dyeing that had been acquired during more than thirty years of field studies in Anatolia.
In our day, these dyeing techniques are hardly remembered due to universal industrial mass production of carpets for everyday use. Yet, none of the modern dyeing formulae could surpass the vibrant and long lasting qualities achieved by the ancient methods.
In museums, we marvel at the beauty of carpets and kilims from the 14th century while with more recent pieces from the 19th century we regret to see the loss of certain colours that have faded or "rusted out". What a shame!

The exhibition " Anatolian Cultures" organized by the Council of Europe and the Turkish Carpet Conference of 1983 were both encouraging international stimuli, leading to the revival of the Near East's superb weaving- and knotting cultures.

The Bieber Project, named after its founder Dr. Manfred Bieber, Galerie Ex Oriente, Würzburg/ Germany, was started in Istanbul as early as 1980. The initiator's main objectives are: Conservation of the traditional art of wool dyeing and processing which has barely been preserved, and the rediscovery of ancient successful recipes for long lasting, light resistant dyeing of textile fibres with natural dyeing stuffs. The project aims at the conservation of the invaluable ways of working with natural materials. These skills are on the verge of getting lost completely.

The exhibition will spark excitement among collectors, enthusiasts and ambitious friends of carpets. In no way are the textiles on display commercial goods. The carpets and flat weaves are intended for those who wish to live with textiles. The viewer will realise that those expressive and long-lasting carpets which may give their lovers the pleasure of a lifetime, still exist – just as they did three hundred years ago (although we really should not walk on them today as they are so old and delicate!)
In the exhibition you will enjoy antique Anatolian kilims and carpets whose inspiring colours are due to perfect and long lasting dyeing methods. Along with these ancient pieces we are presenting new creations from the Bieber Project, all of them dyed according to traditional techniques.

For information on natural dyeing techniques, dyes from natural plants, wool processing in Anatolia etc. see: www.exoriente.de