Hopi Basket Weaving: Artistry in Natural Fibers [Hardcover]

Helga Teiwes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

"With the inborn wisdom that has guided them for so long through so many obstacles, Hopi men and women perpetuate their proven rituals, strongly encouraging those who attempt to neglect or disrespect their obligations to uphold them. One of these obligations is to respect the flora and fauna of our planet. The Hopi closeness to the Earth is represented in all the arts of all three mesas, whether in clay or natural fibers. What clay is to a potter's hands, natural fibers are to a basket weaver."--from the Introduction Rising dramatically from the desert floor, Arizona's windswept mesas have been home to the Hopis for hundreds of years. A people known for protecting their privacy, these Native Americans also have a long and less known tradition of weaving baskets and plaques. Generations of Hopi weavers have passed down knowledge of techniques and materials from the plant world around them, from mother to daughter, granddaughter, or niece. This book is filled with photographs and detailed descriptions of their beautiful baskets--the one art, above all others, that creates the strongest social bonds in Hopi life. In these pages, weavers open their lives to the outside world as a means of sharing an art form especially demanding of time and talent. The reader learns how plant materials are gathered in canyons and creek bottoms, close to home and far away. The long, painstaking process of preparation and dying is followed step by step. Then, using techniques of coiled, plaited, or wicker basketry, the weaving begins. Underlying the stories of baskets and their weavers is a rare glimpse of what is called "the Hopi Way," a life philosophy that has strengthened and sustained the Hopi people through centuries of change. Many other glimpses of the Hopi world are also shared by author and photographer Helga Teiwes, who was warmly invited into the homes of her collaborators. Their permission and the permission of the Cultural Preservation Office of the Hopi Tribe gave her access to people and information seldom available to outsiders. Teiwes was also granted access to some of the ceremonial observances where baskets are preeminent. Woven in brilliant reds, greens, and yellows as well as black and white, Hopi weavings, then, not only are an arresting art form but also are highly symbolic of what is most important in Hopi life. In the women's basket dance, for example, woven plaques commemorate and honor the Earth and the perpetuation of life. Other plaques play a role in the complicated web of Hopi social obligation and reciprocity. Living in a landscape of almost surreal form and color, Hopi weavers are carrying on one of the oldest arts traditions in the world. Their stories in Hopi Basket Weaving will appeal to collectors, artists and craftspeople, and anyone with an interest in Native American studies, especially Native American arts. For the traveler or general reader, the book is an invitation to enter a little-known world and to learn more about an art form steeped in meaning and stunning in its beauty.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Basket weaving is an outlet for artistry and a showcase for the skills of Native Americans. These two books take different approaches to the subject, but both celebrate the talents of individuals and the difficulty of weaving in the old ways. The Hopi basketmakers responded to the interest and patience of photographer Teiwes, the author of other books on Southwest tribes, with interviews and extensive demonstrations. Because many of the old methods and materials they use are dying out, this is a valuable document. Details of the flora used, dying methods, techniques for each kind of basket, and an appreciation of the design forms used are all included. Rounding out the book are 128 of the author's photographs, 16 color plates, and a map of the Hopi lands, as well as an excellent chapter on ancient weaving in the area. Bibby is curator of an exhibit of 62 baskets judged to be the finest of their kind in California. They date from 1822 to the present, with basketmakers identified for almost all these gems. The book is the catalog for the exhibit, scheduled for the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento and the Autry Museum in Los Angeles in the spring. Bibby considers craft items as individual works of art, and these dazzling examples, shown here in color, supersede mere utility. Each basket is described, with information on the California tribe's customary forms and a sketch or photo of and interview with the maker. A simple set of clear and useful illustrations shows the different ways of coiling and twining, and a map and historical introduction are helpful. Both books are suitable for advanced crafts as well as Native American collections.?Gay Neale, Southside Virginia Community Coll., Alberta
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Excellent photos, including a section in stunning color, amplify the detailed text which describes everything from a typical day in a Hopi woman's life to details of collecting materials for dyes and baskets." —Books of the Southwest "Learn about the weaving techniques that are passed from mothers to daughters as well as the ceremonies and rituals in which these highly symbolic baskets play a role." —Southwest

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816516138
• ISBN-13: 978-0816516131
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,880,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A history not a "how to" book, December 7, 2004

By 

Classics By Nature - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hopi Basket Weaving: Artistry in Natural Fibers (Paperback)

If you are looking for a great history book on Hopi baskets, this is the book. If you are looking for a "how to" book, this is not what you are looking for. It does state the technique used for various types of baskets, however doesn't tell you "how to" do those techniques. Beautiful photos, wonderful text, but not a "how to" book.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well written reference on techniques & artists, June 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hopi Basket Weaving: Artistry in Natural Fibers (Hardcover)

This is my favorite reference on Hopi baskets and basketmakers. Helga Teiwes is well aquainted with the subject and her clear, concise writing style and beautiful photographs are a pleasure to see!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good book that's focused on people not artifacts, April 11, 2011

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rlnie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hopi Basket Weaving: Artistry in Natural Fibers (Paperback)

This book has beautiful pictures taken by the artist of Hopi basketry and the women who create it.
It's a good source of information on the women of the Hopi tribe and their basketry. Before writing the book she spent a lot of time observing and interviewing these women, which makes her book more credible than if she had just researched or observed. The way she talks about the women feels personal, and her friendship and respect for them shows in the writing.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the Hopi tribe or basket weaving in general. I also think that anyone who wishes to learn how to weave should read this to learn more about the cultural background of the art. However, even though Teiwes does talk about technique, it's not a how-to book.