Make yourself as snug as a bug in a rug and open up MacGuffin Nº 9, dedicated entirely to the world beneath your feet: The Rug. For many, the lockdown period has meant spending much more time at home, which has probably led to deeper contemplations of floor coverings. From the panorama of our rugs we have experienced press conferences, video calls, board games, napping, and so much more. MacGuffin enters a bazaar packed to the rafters with carpet jungles, carpet beaters and carpet traders; war rugs, hairy rugs and prayer rugs; magic carpets, airport carpets and travelling carpets; doormats, tatami mats and coconut mats; carpets made of brick, concrete and peanut butter; carpets from Pakistan, Palestine, Persia and Poland. This issue looks at the infinite functions, meanings, and possibilities of the rug the world over, from George Pendle’s revelations about airport carpets to Rachel Dedman’s analysis of Palestinian rug-making traditions, from stories of carpet dealers by Kitty Drake to a complex case of gender and weaving by Alice Twemlow, and from tatami mats, prayer rugs, and tapestries to the animal kingdom beneath our feet. Featuring Sarah Arnolds, Alessandra Covini, Rachel Dedman, Krijn Giezen, Kayla Mattes, Samuel Nyholm, Hannah Ryggen, Scheltens & Abbenes, Alice Twemlow and many many more. 224 p, ills colour & bw, 21 x 28 cm, pb, English
