American Literature

Sustainability and eco-friendly trends are most evidently associated with industries related to products such as metals and chemicals. Of course, such industries are of vital importance and may be considered as core components of technological stability and progress. However, it is for a fact that movements geared towards sustainability have been present within the textile industry as well in relation to the numerous environmental concerns associated with the industry. Specifically, issues such as noise levels, air pollution, biological pollution, chemical pollution have been associated with the textile industry as well, as mentioned throughout past discussions and reports. Hence, from the presence and identification of such issues, it becomes evident the textile industry is still among the industries that bear a considerable impact to society, similar to more often mentioned examples such as metal and chemical industries.

Importance of Textile 
The social importance of textiles, from a contemporary perspective, may be considered as most evident in relation to the topic of sustainability. Of course, even though sustainability is currently a global theme, with an emphasis upon the changes that should be done throughout different industries, it is also apparent that not all industries are given the same degree of attention regarding the urgency of actualizing such changes. Considering that studies focused upon identifying the means to attain environmental efficiency for further supporting sustainability are present, it becomes apparent that the textile industry is of considerable social importance given such attention from the scientific community. Just taking into consideration the scope of the industry, and the diversity of the textile applications, it is without doubt an industry of social significance that requires continuous changes depending upon the current concern of society. 

Textiles from Different Cultures 
In terms of similarities, it is for a fact that the raw materials used from both countries, India and Indonesia, in order to produce textile are rather similar. In particular, cotton, silk, and wool are the main materials for textile production in both countries. Such a fact would most likely be due to the proximity of India and Indonesia albeit being geographically distinct. Another similarity would be in terms the general techniques used throughout textile production. The most probable explanation for such would be both proximity and a long history of trade between the two countries. In relation to the previous point made, it is proper to emphasize the fact that batik is used in both Indonesia and India for textile production. In addition to such, it is also true that both countries currently produce textile with export opportunities in mind. Also, in both Indonesia and India, given that silk is among the main raw materials used, silk worm cultivation is most probably of vital significance as well.
   
In terms of differences, aspects such as textile variants and specific differences in art characteristics and patterns may be seen upon close scrutiny. Of course, attention to detail is required to realize such distinctions since from a general standpoint, textiles produced from Indonesia and India is generally similar. An example of such, would be in terms of the fact that despite the presence of deities as a theme in textile production for both countries, the use of ink as a means of providing such imagery is more directly associated with India. To further expound and to highlight another point of difference, despite similarities in techniques employed in textile production, the Kalamkari process of production is still distinctly Indian as Indonesia considers products from such a process as items for import. In addition to such, textile production which is in part an art form would differ in terms of specific cultural differences from the two countries as well. Of course, even though such countries are relatively of close geographical proximity, it is proper to assume that India and Indonesia are of distinct historical roots. Other differences between the two countries would be in terms of production outlook and economic concerns. Specifically, difficulties in the cost-effectiveness and profitability of textile production have become more apparent within the context of the Indonesian textile industry, albeit the fact that India is affected as well. 

Quilters of Gees Bend  
The importance of the textiles shown in the film, despite the presence of rather simple constructions in addition to the fact that recycled fabric was utilized for production, would be in terms of the core message that such textiles embody. To further expound, the art world most probably placed focus upon the fact that changes or alternatives in textile production, in relation to a more eco-friendly context, may indeed be made successfully. Such a thought in turn, may possibly be translated into the likelihood of accomplishing the same for other products and items as well so as to gain global acceptance and recognition for the applicability of concepts based upon sustainability. Of course, despite such limitations in design and material, such products are without doubt aesthetically intriguing as well.

Handcrafted Textiles and the Fashion Industry   
It is rather apparent throughout the modern society that handcrafted textiles have not been able to penetrate the mainstream fashion industry. However, historically, in some cultures that has long considered the production of handcrafted textiles as an art, such as in India, textiles and the fashion industry are directly interconnected. However, given the shifts in global perspectives regarding the importance of sustainability and the process of globalization, it is most appropriate to assume that the potential of using handcrafted textiles for mainstream fashion purposes has been gaining further thought and global recognition. As a matter of fact, numerous artists in England have already considered handcrafted textiles for fashion related purposes