2008 Woodie Awards
IMA exhibit highlights move from constraints of fashion
Rachael Meacham
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Entertainment
During a visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, guests may see ghostly figures, flying saucers and floating models. Yet, it has nothing to with the supernatural, and everything to do with fashion.
The IMA recently opened its "Breaking the Mode" exhibition which showcases more than 120 pieces of contemporary fashion. Many of these soft sculptures are innovative enough to blur the lines between fashion and art.
"The exhibition design is really stunning," Katie Zarich, IMA public relations manager, said.
Some of the pieces are suspended from the ceiling. Others are showcased as ghost forms in which viewers can't see the mannequin.
"They use pieces of mannequin and the bodice is held up with wires and other things that are invisible to the viewer," Zarich said.
Within the first 10 days of its opening, 2,500 people visited the show. The exhibition is a part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's permanent collection and has traveled to Florence, Italy, before making its way to Indianapolis.
"It's common practice in museums to bring in exhibitions that other museums have organized," Zarich said.
She said that the delicate collection will be placed in storage once back in Los Angeles, away from sunlight and other damaging factors.
Zarich said it took the IMA installation and design staff about six weeks to prepare the exhibit's space, but they worked on the manikins for many months. The pieces for the exhibition have been collected for over 25 years.
"They purchase all of the different fashion, just like we purchase fashion or artwork, and it enters the collection," Zarich said.
The show is divided into four themes: construction, materials, form and concept. Each part explores the creativity and advancements of its theme.
Among the many pieces presented by Japanese designer Issey Miyake is a unique suit meant to portray flying saucers. The group of over 40 international designers who introduce their ideas along with Miyake include Jean-Paul Gaultier, Gilbert Adrian, Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood. "Breaking the Mode" features designers who have introduced alternative methods into the standard fashion approach.
The IMA recently opened its "Breaking the Mode" exhibition which showcases more than 120 pieces of contemporary fashion. Many of these soft sculptures are innovative enough to blur the lines between fashion and art.
"The exhibition design is really stunning," Katie Zarich, IMA public relations manager, said.
Some of the pieces are suspended from the ceiling. Others are showcased as ghost forms in which viewers can't see the mannequin.
"They use pieces of mannequin and the bodice is held up with wires and other things that are invisible to the viewer," Zarich said.
Within the first 10 days of its opening, 2,500 people visited the show. The exhibition is a part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's permanent collection and has traveled to Florence, Italy, before making its way to Indianapolis.
"It's common practice in museums to bring in exhibitions that other museums have organized," Zarich said.
She said that the delicate collection will be placed in storage once back in Los Angeles, away from sunlight and other damaging factors.
Zarich said it took the IMA installation and design staff about six weeks to prepare the exhibit's space, but they worked on the manikins for many months. The pieces for the exhibition have been collected for over 25 years.
"They purchase all of the different fashion, just like we purchase fashion or artwork, and it enters the collection," Zarich said.
The show is divided into four themes: construction, materials, form and concept. Each part explores the creativity and advancements of its theme.
Among the many pieces presented by Japanese designer Issey Miyake is a unique suit meant to portray flying saucers. The group of over 40 international designers who introduce their ideas along with Miyake include Jean-Paul Gaultier, Gilbert Adrian, Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood. "Breaking the Mode" features designers who have introduced alternative methods into the standard fashion approach.
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