"In 1927, the critic Rene Chavance identified carpet production as the most successful of the decorative arts in achieving 'the more visionary aims of the times'. Susan Day's book, a work of original scholarship accompanied throughout by illustrations both of the carpets themselves and of contemporary interiors, demonstrates that these Art Deco carpets have lost none of their decorative power. A significant number of the carpets are shown precisely as they were meant to be seen, within the rooms for which they were made." "The fruits of the remarkable Art Deco efflorescence throughout Europe form the first part of the book. In the second, the focus turns to the reaction against the artistes-decorateurs by the champions of modernism. In France, the designs of Sonia Delaunay, Eileen Gray and Jean Lurcat evoked collage and Cubism; the Bauhaus and Scandinavia provided different influences. The fashion for abstract and modernist rugs was further stimulated by limited editions of rugs woven from works by such artists as Picasso, Klee and Miro, while in the USA, designers developed a style that was distinctly American." "This visual feast, of appeal not only to carpet collectors and textile specialists but to anyone with an interest in 20th-century design, ranges from the supremely imaginative achievements of Paul Poiret's unique weaving studio, the Ecole Martine, to the Scandinavian folk traditions of Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom, the innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright and Donald Deskey in the USA and Gunta Stolzl's handwoven carpets in Germany. The book's invaluable reference section includes detailed information on artists, manufacturers and retailers, their signatures and monograms, and a glossary and bibliography." --Book Jacket.

Learn the art of designing and making a Nordic traditions rya rug. With this book, you can make authentic, heirloom-quality rya rugs without a loom or special equipment and enjoy them as art on the walls, floors, beds, and more. Ryas have a long history. In the days of the Vikings, ryas were woven on looms with a wool pile that gave warm insulation in the cold winters as warm cloaks on a freezing sea, sleigh blankets, and as bed coverings. After World War II, Nordic countries marketed their signature crafts around the world. They wove backings, spun hardy rya yarns, and designed kits easily made by beginners. These industries thrived throughout the midcentury modern era, but suddenly supplies became difficult to find when fashions trends changed. From the late 1970s to recent times, not only supplies, but experienced teachers were very hard to find. Melinda Purcell Byrd was born into a rya rug family. Her grandparents, Bill and Angelina Lundgren from Northboro, Massachusetts began importing Swedish rya supplies the year she was born. They established a thriving business by providing kits and custom designs in rya across the United States. Melinda designed and made her first when she was 11 years old. After college, she worked with her grandparents as designer, teacher, and business manager becoming proficient in all things rya. After fashions trends changed, Lundgren Rya, along with dozens of other suppliers in the USA and Europe closed their doors.Thirty years later Byrd has used her experience and the Internet to revive rya rug making and provide a resource for currently available supplies as well as teach how to use them. In her book, history of how this craft began, thrived, and was nearly lost is shared. She demystifies the designing process and gives detailed examples of various designing techniques for right-brained and left-brained thinkers. You'll find personal story profiles of other rya pilgrims, innovators, and visionaries to inspire you. Full of colorful illustrative photos by award-winning photographer, Ken Koons, this book will move you to join the rya rug revival and make your own rya rugs!

Popular Abstracts is a reference tool providing access to information appearing in past issues of three journals published by the Bowling Green Popular Press. Abstracts are included for each article appearing in the first ten volumes of The Journal of Popular Culture (1967-1977), the first five volumes of The Journal of Popular Film (1972-1977), and the first four volumes of Popular Music and Society (1971-1975).