Up until seventy to a hundred years ago, Nomads – a culture without architecture and the written word – created arresting objects of art. Patterns and motives, but also proportions and colours, were embedded inclimate, era, culture and religion, often representing a legible pictogram. These carpets were never gearedtowards the market or decoration; they were articles of daily use or ritual objects. Some remind us ofworks of classic modernity and contemporary art, raising the question to what extend these anonymousworks of art rank behind famous oil paintings.

Helmut Reinisch