Designed by Jun-ichi Arai (Japanese, 1932-2017)
Manufactured by NUNO Corporation (1984-present)
Japan
Woven Structure Pattern (No. 4-10)
INV-1496
Designed by Jun-ichi Arai (Japanese, 1932-2017)
Manufactured by NUNO Corporation (1984-present)
JapanShôwa period (1926–1989), 1984
Woven Structure Pattern (No. 4-10)
Designed by Jun-ichi Arai (Japanese, 1932-2017) Manufactured by NUNO Corporation (1984-present) Japan →Japanismshowatextileweaving
Date
Shôwa period (1926–1989), 1984
Medium
Cotton, plain weave double cloth; woven on computerized loom with Jacquard attachment; two selvages present
Dimensions
304.7 × 102.3 cm (120 × 40 1/4 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 112.8 cm (44 3/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of the NUNO Corporation
The strips of cloth used to make the iconic Kente cloth of Ghana inspired this woven optical illusion of ragged bands by textile designer Jun-ichi Arai. Arai had a deep respect for textile tradition and history, as well as a passion for innovation and experimentation. Born into a family of silk obi (sash) weavers, he chose to pursue the family business, but started pushing boundaries early in his career. His innovations quickly earned him accolades for “uniting high technology and the look of the handmade.” Arai co-founded NUNO (“cloth”), the inventive Japanese textile company that produced this textile.
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