Shorn or shag, simple or pop, rectangular or with diverse geometry, rugs now defy gravity. Hanging on the wall or even suspended in the air, they become the graphic advantage of avant-garde interiors.
In the aisles of the famous Maison & Objet trade fair at the beginning of 2019, the surprising idea could be seen everywhere. Small-scale furniture-makers, artisanal craftsmen and renowned design houses alike all seem to have swapped the abscissa and ordinate with rug collections envisioned as… works of art. A savvy mix of materials, textures and colors that give the pieces a new dimension. Hung on walls, they are made to be admired and refuse to be stepped on any longer.
From 2D objects to pluridimensional works
Beyond a simple aesthetic stance, the act of attaching a rug to a wall has a strong cultural past. In the Middle Ages, we all know of the monumental tapestries and their scenes of hunting or daily life that covered the walls in the homes of noble aristocratic families. For centuries and even today, Native American populations use a combination of rugs, blankets and hides for their nomadic dwellings. In Russia and the Ukraine, from the late 1950s, we saw the emergence of suspended rugs used to stop up the windows or protect the first inhabitants of cement buildings from cold and noise. A practice that still exists today.
Freed from their practical or bourgeois tendencies, rugs now give depth and relief to walls, surprising us with their strong creative potential.
Vertical craftsmanship
Often handmade, these new rugs amaze us with their fine details and voluptuous thickness. For many, this is the opportunity to discover or rediscover the painstaking work that goes into each loop of wool or fabric. The fruit of craftsmanship backed by age-old techniques, rugs now unfurl themselves in all their glory. A real feast for the eyes.
AMV Journal is a space dedicated to encounters, discovery and travel. Every week, explore the musts, portraits and inspirations of American Vintage and its creation studio.