Art: MURALS OF WOOL

IN THE midst of a booming technological age, ancient crafts have managed not only to survive, but actually flourish. A prime example is France's centuries-old weaving industry, which was revitalized by a handful of dedicated artists headed by Jean Lurcat and Marcel Gromaire during the grim days of the World War II German occupation. Working in Aubusson close to the looms, and designing sketches in some 50 colors (v. 1,440 tones used by 19th century weavers), modern French tapestry designers have made the old craft into a contemporary medium.

For the first time in a decade, France's 14-year-old Association of Tapestry Painter-Designers...

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