7 tapestries

Tactile Allegories as Human Connections to the Environment

Ancient wisdom and modern ecological philosophy converge in the textile journey ‘Das Lied von der Erde’ by Dutch designer and textile artist Peter George d’Angelino Tap. Inspired by Attar’s epic ‘Conference of the Birds,’ Albrecht’s Earth Emotions, and the enigmatic verses of Erda in Wagner’s Ring, d’Angelino Tap leads us on an immersive odyssey through seven needle-felted metaphorical valleys, exploring the philosophical and emotional dimensions of the relationship between humanity and the environment.

Attar’s 12th-century epic Sufi poem ‘The Conference of the Birds’ follows the avian quest across seven valleys in search of their legendary king, only to reveal that their monarch is a reflection of their own essence. These valleys, in turn, symbolise the vast spectrum of earthly emotions and the interplay between humanity and the environment. Environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht’s ground-breaking work on Earth Emotions significantly informs d’Angelino Tap’s tapestries. Albrecht delves deep into the emotional and psychological responses elicited by the harsh realities of environmental degradation, climate change,

and the loss of biodiversity. His call for a deeper emotional connection with the earth and a shift towards an ecocentric worldview resonates profoundly in today’s global environment crisis.In d’Angelino Tap’s tapestries, Albrecht’s Earth Emotion definitions are juxtaposed with the original valleys, offering a contemporary reflection of our relationship with nature. Additionally, the embroidered cryptic lines by Earth’s mother, Erda, from Richard Wagner’s ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen,’ create an oracle-like quality that emphasizes the urgency of the environmental issues we face. Wagner’s Ring cycle, rich in symbolism and allegory, underscores the destructive forces of human desire and the corruption of the natural world by our actions. It mirrors the ongoing struggle between the untamed forces of nature and humanity’s attempts to control and dominate these forces.

Through d’Angelino Tap’s work, viewers are invited to contemplate these complex narratives, forging connections between ancient allegories and the pressing environmental concerns of our modern age. This series of tapestries is a powerful reminder of the need for deeper reflection, connection with nature, and collective action to address the challenges of our time.

“On our life journey, like Attar’s ‘The Conference of the Birds,’ we navigate the seven valleys of earthly emotions. To protect our feathers, we must hold dear the natural world and existence itself – the very fabric we are woven into."