"Momen Boro" Kite by Michael Thompson

2021
$8,480 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 56.0" D: 1.0" H: 30.0"
Materials
Paper
Cotton
Bamboo
Collection #
CMT210
Estimated Shipping
$1,000

Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.

This kite entitled "Momen Boro," or "cotton rags," is patterned with a patchwork of Japanese cotton fabrics, including dark indigos, woven ikats, and delicate prints. The design references the traditional practice of Boro stitching, wherein the usable portions of worn-out fabrics were carefully mended and stitched together to create new and unexpected textiles. More than just a cost-saving measure, Boro stitching lovingly honors the original materials by giving them new life. The dense collage of fabrics on this kite creates a dynamic composition of clashing patterns and richly saturated colors.

Thompson has earned an international reputation for his kite works, an engrossing project initiated by the artist more than a decade ago.

Split bamboo, muslin, cotton, rice paper, pigment.

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What They're Saying

Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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