Patang

Among the more than three dozen Indian paper kites, or patang, in the Eameses’ collection, many of the same patterns repeat in different colorways. In this case, one kite features a pattern of purple triangles on a red background and the other features the same pattern in red on a purple background. Comparing the two makes for a compelling lesson in color theory, with the triangles appearing to pop out or recede depending on the color combination. Similarly, the vertical arrangement of forms may be perceived as a stack of bow ties in one moment, and a column of diamonds and triangles in the next. These aspects of the design would have been of interest to the Eameses, who were particularly skilled in matters of color and form. Moreover, the technique of cutting-and-pasting paper that produced these kites was a method Ray used often in preparing mock-ups for packaging and advertisements, and she no doubt delighted in seeing these methods used by other makers halfway across the world.