BERLIN - BOMBASTIC CARPETS

Afghanistan means war. When it comes to everything. Not enough with every kid there being capable of assembling any weapon you can imagine lickety-split. We’ve already told you about that in our Guide to Travel, right? But, seriously, forget about traumata management by means of expressionist art (you know, like Georg Grosz and the likes), because it's not like people don't already know that the Mujahideen literally weave their wars into their culture. School doesn't start for another couple weeks but let's prepare with a refresher on these carpet bombs.

The history of war carpets started in the 70s, but no one can really tell in a country where most people don’t even know for sure how old they are. It started soon after the longhaired hippies lit their last hash pipes and escaped to Goa to make room for the Soviets, who in return started blowing up the whole country.

Apparently back then there was a thing like the “Afghan Art Scene” all revolving around Amanullah Haiderzad who currently holds the position of being Afghanistan’s highest ranking “Advisor of Arts” under Hamid Karsai—whatever this fantasy title is supposed to mean in a country where things like a proper infrastructure, water, peace, or education are only rudimentarily existent at best. In 1980 the sculptor escaped to Peshawar, Pakistan, via Khyber Pass with a bunch of his students from Kabul Art School. He encouraged his students to help the other refugees to channel their traumas into artwork.

Over time and the different wars, this form of therapy established itself and became its own kind of business and widely accepted handicraft. Even though the war carpets have exist for only slightly more than a quarter of a century, there are three different distinguishable eras. 

The first carpets were made in the Soviet era. After the Soviet troops left the country in 1989 a lot of carpets with martyr motifs emerged, which can be associated with the Mujahideen’s battle for power and their consequent reign. During the Taliban regime people didn’t make a lot of new carpets because frankly, just enjoying a bunch of different colors would make you ripe for a stoning.

The third era of war carpets started with 9/11, the NATO bombings, and Karsai’s rule. Ever since, these carpets have been a huge Afghanistan export, though opium still obviously rules. The ISAF soldiers are constantly hauling huge bundles out of the country to hawk them on eBay. Here are our favorites:



This pretty much equals the Magna Carta of the Hindu Kush war. This carpet is one of the oldest and shows the attack on the castle during the 1978 putsch in Kabul.



Now this is a classic, displaying the entire arsenal of the Russian machinery of war during the 80s, ranging from Soviet BMTs and AKs to RPGs. Timeless design makes this the perfect padding for some alone time with your RAF-bitch in front of the fireplace.



This carpet sports an AK with orange magazine that was exclusively used by Russian Special Forces. Very rare, very expensive.



The postmodern art of war weaving.



The central alignment of the aircraft-carrier implies the US’s guilt in not only the war, but also the 9/11 attacks. But I’m still confused and don’t really get the connection of the “Msle” with that peace dove. Ideas anybody?



Ahmad Shah Massoud—now that one is especially pretty because you can still tell the beauty of each and every single pixel in the original digital photo.

FELIX NICKLAS

Comments

[jack]

honestly, if someone had the third carpet down in their house Im not sure I would even notice all the weird gun designs... at a glance it looks totally normal

[cupcake]

yep, Im with you. The 9/11 rug makes no sense. Im not sure if i should be offended or touched

[crass]

there is actually a business for war carpets? violent carpets...thats a pretty sketchy thing to be into

[Bun]

Mr Massoud has taken a sultry pose, he's just been listening to shaggy bombastic. how much are these rugs? interesting that they were made to be stood on, soiled and worn. perhaps.

[interior designer for hire]

these are awesome, i want one for my appartment, probably the on with all the russian weapons would go best. it would bring a certain violence to the room that most rooms just dont have.

[higher than high]

massoud looks like he is stoned out of his mind in this rug. i must have it!

[jr]

do they have any with people's heads being chopped off?

[jermajesty]

fuck an oil painting... I am commissioning a rug of myself to achieve true immortality

[a. tisdelle]

I liked this article...I am from outside Toronto and have actually seen the AK47 and tank carpets for sale at antique sales in the 905... I was blown away by how gorgeous the rugs...the colours are really vibrant in real life...I think a 2" by 5" carpet was going for about $300-400cdn and smaller one, 1.5" by 3", for about $100-150cdn... pretty affordable?

[Carl Sagan]

i love the 9/11 one i want it for my nice appartment

[.pho queen]

i'd buy that the droppin bombs or the ak47 ones for sure!

not the 9-11 ones those are super kitschy/touristee!

[fu]

I sell rugs and I looked for war rugs on a buying trip in pakistan last summer. the fine, "art" pieces I was told are not being made much anymore. you can find some inexpensive, very cheap versions of the AK style rugs, but they are pretty bad. the sept 11 rugs are pretty hard to find too. i am lucky to own 1 great piece from the 80's. good looking out vice for doing a story on rugs.

[rob]

I've got one of these. It's genius, no one ever says anything until I point it out to them though!

[just a guy]

In response to your Q's:
The "msile" is in reference to conspiracy theorists that suggest the White House was shot by a missile (sic).

The dove appears to be carrying something in its beak, and if it's anything but an olive branch it could be symbolic of peace departing. Then again, it could mean that even with the olive branch.

[Bert Agrela]

RUBIN THE RAPIST IS UNDER INVESTIGATION

[Bali handicraft]

I love those carpets, what a beautiful design

[Carpet Brisbane]

These are great design. It is hard for me to think how can they create those intricate design while maintaining the quality of the product. It would only be fair if they will be sold for higher than those typical rugs.

[ryctidlm]

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[game blog]

i need full ICC crafted gear but a person item in the action house cost over 7-8k golden

[Diablo 3 Gold]

up "Skinner Box". Again in the end you have right it is their responsibility I discussed that I meant it the buck stops at the individual. That doesn't mean that games makers aren't being irresponsible and that doesn't mean that they aren't using methods of game design to attempt to encourage such irresponsible conduct. They have intentionally designed farm ville to where it is easy to let it rule your life. Again that final decision to let it do do i think the the players responsibility while we are avoiding. However that does not mean they of said game are being blameless.