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James Bassler
With yarn made from spun feathers us-
ing a technique from the 17th and 18th
centuries, James Bassler creates a con-
temporary version of ancient textiles in
which feathers were used to promote the
double-headed eagle of the Habsburg
Empire, reminding those subjugated of
who was in charge. As in the time of the
Habsburgs, who ruled in Austria in 1276-
1918 and Spain in 1516-1700, Donald
and His Habsburg Empire (Reading Be-
tween the Lines) is a wry comment on our
current glorification of elitism through
birthright, entitlement with no regard to
proven achievement, which values profit
over people.
23
5jbas Donald and His Habsburg Empire
wedge-weave construction, indigo-dyed linen warp, linen, handspun silk
from Mexico, spun duck feathers from Mexico, commercial silk weft
35” x 17”, 2016