Virtual Rug and Textile Appreciation Morning: Color Theory for Oriental Rug Lovers
Wendel Swan, collector and museum trustee
Oriental rug and textile lovers often repeat the mantra “color, color, color” when describing what is most appealing about what they collect or admire, but few appreciate how complex the issue of “color” is. Join us for a virtual Rug and Textile Appreciation Morning to better understand our physiological reactions and attractions to color.
Color theory is the ancient science and art of using color based upon how humans perceive color. There is clear evidence that the concept was understood and used in weaving textiles at least 2,000 years ago, but topical writing begins with Leonardo da Vinci. Applying principles of color theory, collector and museum trustee Wendel Swan will demonstrate how the selection and juxtaposition of colors in textiles or other art forms lead us to perceive and appreciate colors in ways that are entirely different than we might imagine.
Special note on participant show-and-tell:
Many of our regular program attendees know that Rug and Textile Appreciation Mornings typically include a show-and-tell of textiles brought in by program participants. In order to simulate this experience virtually, we invite you to submit high-resolution photographs of pieces from your personal collections that fit this program’s theme. Please send high-resolution images to us at MuseumEd@gwu.edu no later than Thursday, June 4 to be considered for inclusion in the program (keep in mind we may not be able to accommodate them all).
About the Speaker
Wendel Swan has actively collected rugs and textiles since 1968 and has lectured at various rug societies, conferences and museums throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Near East. He serves on the Board of Trustees at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum and is Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Conference on Oriental Carpets.
How to Participate
After you finish this registration process, we will email you a link and instructions for joining our program online via Zoom. Simply follow that link at the time the event is meant to start (11am in Washington, D.C. local time). You can also opt-in to receive a reminder email one day before the program with the link included.