Boro

Ripped, worn, patched and lovingly mended. Boro textiles tell us about the art of surviving on scarce resources in a harsh place. In northern Japan, the winters are cold and the population has historically been poor. Here, among farmers and fishermen, a distinctive female craft was developed in which nothing went to waste. Clothes and textiles were repaired, reinforced and reworked for generations.

Boro objects have long had a low reputation in Japan and have been viewed as a shameful reminder of a poor past. During the past two decades, there has been a big increase in the interest of boro. The simplicity, composition, and history of the textiles have inspired artists and designers far beyond Japan's borders and boro objects are today collectables.

Boro tells a story of the art of survival but also of human creativity and our constant need to create beauty. Above being a unique textile tradition, boro makes up a valuable foundation for a dialogue around current, complex questions concerning the use of textiles, production, sustainability and fashion.

This exhibition presents, for the first time in Europe, a selection from the world's largest collection of boro textiles owned by Amuse Inc. in Japan. You will also find garments from Swedish museum collections, contemporary textile art and fashion, as well as sound art created specifically for the exhibition.

The exhibition is a collaboration with the National Museums of World Culture and Amuse Inc. with scenography by TAF Studio and graphic design by BankerWessel.

^{Photo: Patrik Lindell}