The Cloth Sings to Me; The Spirit of the Individual

Quilts seem to be a more accessible art form to the general public than painted canvas. Perhaps it's the soft, tactile nature of the medium that connects with the viewer, or perhaps it is that quilts don't need much explanation to engage the viewer's mind and heart. Two short documentary films by Esperanza Martinez and Linda Roennau look at African-American quilters. The first, The Cloth Sings to Me, features the Brooklyn Women of Color Quilter's Network showing off their creations in an informal setting to an appreciative audience. The second film, The Spirit of the Individual, highlights two African-American fiber artists, Peggie Hartwell and Michael Cummings, and looks at the work of their mentors (painters as well as quilters). Compared to Unraveling the Stories: Quilts as a Reflection of Our Lives (VL-9/98) which provides an organized view of African-American quilting traditions, these programs give an impressionistic look with less historical background. Unfortunately, a major detraction on both tapes is the awful camera work, with wild swings over the pieces we would like to be able to simply view and study. However, these programs will be welcomed in public libraries serving quilters and people interested in American art. Both are strong, optional purchases. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)