Identifying Latin American indigenous textile references in Anni Albers’ work

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5965/1982615x19482026e0004

Keywords:

modern textile design, indigenous cultures, Latin America

Abstract

This article was developed in the context of a research that investigates the references to the textiles produced by several Latin American indigenous cultures in the work of textile designer and artist Anni Albers. This text outlines relations between specific elements seen in textiles produced by five cultures – Nazca, Wari, Chancay, Chimu and Inca – and part of Anni Albers’ work, in an attempt to understand translation processes through which her work references said cultures. Furthermore, it makes remarks on the way Albers and her work complexify categories within the design field, mainly in relation to the implicit tensions between modern design and local elements in the analyzed textiles.

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Author Biographies

  • João Victor Brito dos Santos Carvalho, University of São Paulo

    PhD candidate in Design at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (FAUUSP) of the University of São Paulo, specializing in Design Theory and History; holds a Master’s degree in Textiles and Fashion from EACH-USP (2024) and a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from Anhembi Morumbi University (2020). Member of the NOAH research group (Habitat Without Borders – DGP-CNPq) and formerly part of the Design and Philosophy research group (Theory and Critique of Design Processes – DGP-CNPq). Research interests include: design theory and critique; design history; textile and fashion design; surface design; Brazilian design; and fashion and modernity.

  • Antonio Takao Kanamaru, University of São Paulo

    Professor (PhD) in the Textile and Fashion (TM) Bachelor's program at EACH/USP. Holds a PhD in Architecture and Urbanism (Design) from FAU/USP and a Master’s degree in Arts from IA/UNESP. Holds a full teaching license in Art Education with a specialization in Visual Arts from IA/UNESP (MEC-LP Professional Registration 9611240). Former FAPESP scholarship recipient (Doctoral, Master’s, and Undergraduate Research levels). Accredited full supervisor in the PPGTM-EACH/USP graduate program.

References

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Published

2026-09-16

Issue

Section

Variata

How to Cite

Identifying Latin American indigenous textile references in Anni Albers’ work. ModaPalavra e-periódico, v. 19, n. 48, p. 01–30, 16 Sep.2026.

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