The Becher Idea

Ever since we started designing fabric for Moda a few years ago, I have wanted to design a quilt, but have found it extremely difficult. I can design jewelry and fabric...but a quilt...not so easy! As I was walking through the MOMA last weekend, I stumbled into the photography gallery on the second floor and saw a collection of Bernd and Hilla Becher prints.
Bernd and Hilla were German artists that worked together as a collaborative duo. According to their biography: They were fascinated by the similar shapes in which certain buildings were designed. In addition, they were intrigued by the fact that so many of these industrial buildings seemed to have been built with a great deal of attention toward design. Together, the Bechers went out with a large 8 x 10-inch view camera and photographed these buildings from a number of different angles, but always with a straightforward "objective" point of view.

This idea of different angles, but with a straightforward point of view intrigues me. Like the Becher's, I love the idea of the handmade traditional quilt - and I also relate to the basics, nothing too complicated, the straightforward "objective" point of view.

I was immediately inspired to design a collection of quilts using the Becher idea as my starting point. Contemporary, yes, but with a look back to the classics - finally a quilt idea I can sink my teeth into! Jody can you hear me?!

Framework Houses is the first publication the Bechers produced. The work is a beautiful documentation of German timber houses, but also iconic images as they relate to the Bechers' lifelong project. The "Framework House" depicts a stout but strong architectural symbol, starkly framed with a muted gray sky and dramatized by the black and white process.