ICOC 1993 disaster…how bad was it?

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

I have a large collection of Hali magazines and grabbed the 7th ICOC Special Edition (Oct/nov 1993 issue 71) today for my morning reading. I was shocked to read what a total disaster the ICOC was in Hamburg in 1993. Some of you have been around for a long time and may be able to answer this. I know from the issue, Steve was there as they posted his picture in the back and a letter to the editor from him about the event. I also saw a picture showing Peter Hoffmeister “angrily removes his eagle group carpet from the exhibition on the opening evening”
I am somewhat shocked at the turn of the events in Hamburg as it is a major carpet hub/area of Europe. I do understand this happened 31 years ago and it’s still shocking.

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

My memory is fuzzy, but I do recall the details about Peter Hofmeister removing his main carpet from the Turkmen exhibition. The organizers decided to set things up in to be reminiscent of the Turkmen native environment - high desert. They spread sand on the floor, to the horror of anyone with a main carpet. Peter Hofmeister was one of them, and he rolled up his carpet and took it away. Another exhibition gaffe that I remember was having trappings rolled up instead of spread out for display.

Hope this helps.

Steve Price

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For me, it was the one in San Francisco in 1990. Haven't been to another ICOC
since!

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

On a different note but same subject, I looked into attending the last one in Istanbul. I rejected the notion with an entry fee of $400 a person. It’s not the cost so much, although very high, it’s the greed factor. I feel if they want to keep this interest and art alive, make it free. I know a lot of dealers in Turkey that simply couldn’t afford this entry fee. Make it accessible to all. Little do the organizers know, they are slowly a silent accessory to the decline of the interest in the fascinating art of rugs.

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Joe

I share your pain. But there are expenses involved in setting this up and I don't think there are any sources of income for ICOC except fees for registration and space rentals in the Dealer Fair. Space rental includes registration for the dealer and a few assistants. In the past they've allowed visitors into the Dealer Fair. I suspect that the same will be true in Istanbul.

Steve Price