The Unexpected Nexus: Romanian and Japanese Textile Traditions
- RCI USA
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
About the Event
Join us for an illuminating evening as we launch the eagerly awaited publication, Visible Cultural Heritages: Traditional Costumes of Romania and Japan, a stunning catalog that brings to life the rich textile legacies of two remarkable cultures. Authored by Florica Zaharia, a renowned textile conservator and researcher, and Midori Sato, a distinguished Japanese textile expert and curator, both Conservator Emerita at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this full-color volume delves into the intricate craftsmanship, deep symbolism, and timeless beauty of Romanian and Japanese traditional costumes. This evening promises an immersive cultural journey, featuring engaging discussions, visual presentations, and the unique opportunity to explore the stories woven into the fabric of history in the company of the tow distinguished authors. Whether you're a textile enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply curious to discover the hidden treasures of Romania and Japan, this event is not to be missed!
About the Authors
Dr. Florica Zaharia is a Conservator Emerita of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Director and Co-owner of the Muzeul Textilelor in Băița and Hărțăgani, western Romania. For twenty-eight years, Florica Zaharia was a member of the Department of Textile Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), and for thirteen years Conservator in Charge of the Department, working with a group of world-renowned textile conservators. After her retirement from The Met in 2016, she returned to her native country, Romania, and opened the Muzeul Textilelor. This is a private textile museum with a collection of approximately 12,000 pieces collected in Romania and worldwide by her and her family during the last four decades. Dr. Zaharia has researched, published, lectured, curated exhibitions, and taught on the subjects of textile conservation and preservation, textile materials and technology, and Eastern European textiles.
Midori Sato is a Conservator Emerita who joined the Department in 1986, serving as Liaison Conservator for many Departments until her retirement in 2009. Midori’s amazing hands-on skills, her sharp eye, and ability to work with large scale projects are seen today in many textiles and carpets displayed throughout the Museum’s galleries. Among countless projects from various departments are the restoration of four Louis XIV's Bedroom Wall Hangings, conservation and restoration of two Rose tapestries for Medieval and Cloisters, conservation and reconstruction of Northern Caucasus man’s caftan for ANE, a large tapestry woven silk Mandala hanging for AA, and the Emperor’s carpet for Islamic Art. She helped develop methods of pressure mounting oversized textiles which are respected worldwide and her conservation and installation skills contributed to many exhibitions. Her dedication to our department still continues as a volunteer, translating scholarly Japanese publications into English.