By Alissia Melka-Teichroew

Fashioning Felt Exhibit is an exhibit currently shown at Cooper Hewitt. The exhibition focuses on felt that has been produced by traditional hand- or machine-felting processes. The pieces shown, range from clothing to furniture, from jewelry to felt installations.

The set up of the exhibit to me is in some ways interesting and inspirational, especially the pieces from the early 19th and 20th century from Japan and Turkey, also the video showing how felt is still being made in Mongolia. However I had hoped they would show more of the process of felting (both industrial and handmade felting methods), to give the viewer even more sense of what they are looking at. Another downside, is the fact that there is very little touching involved nor any of the raw wool available to see or feel. As a designer I have some knowledge of felting and the work that goes into it, but this is not something everyone knows, and thus can appreciate, if they are not educated. The catalogue of the exhibit however seems to give a clearer view on felt as a material. (more…)