Fashion and art share many similarities: both require the material manifestation of an idea, both are the end products of process (as I wrote about last week), both are tools of communication and both have a relation to commerce in ways that impact their conception. Fashion and art also share the ability to spark important conversations about the exercise of power in public and private life depending on the choices made by an artist, a designer and the individual who consumes. Every day the choices we make about what to wear and carry, whether we are aware of them or not, mark us and our cultural affiliations and relationship to power.
The artist Michelle Pred in her exhibition, Choice, currently showing at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery in Chelsea, uses fashion artifacts such as vintage handbags, shoes, a pillbox hat from the 1950’s and 60’s and saturates them with political and social meaning using electroluminescent wire and thousands of expired birth control pills to inscribe the objects with messages about the pro-choice movement. According to the artist, the purses are meant to be carried and serve as “small-scale political billboards”.
The artist explains her choice of the handbags as canvas, “I chose purses as my way to carry the politically charged messages of the pro-choice movement with representations of women’s modern economic power and the possibilities of change that come with it. For me the use of purses from the mid-twentieth century harks back to that critical era, and reminds us how much has changed and more importantly, how much has not.”
The entrance of a fashion blogger/academic into the space of an art gallery and the “looking together” at the sculptures themselves, sparked a conversation with Nancy Hoffman, the owner of the gallery, about the capacity of fashion and art to instigate visual forms of communication in ways that can move social movements forward and yet connects us to their vibrant pasts.
The exhibit also contains a series of other related sculptures by the artist such as a large scale neon piece that reads, “My Body My Business” and a vintage suitcase and boxing gloves with the same text.
Visit my Details post on Wednesday for more photos of the sculptures, more about the artist and details about what I wore.
Are you aware of the choices you are making about what to wear and what those choices may be communicating about you?
I am extremely aware of the messages my wardrobe projects. There is power in choosing the right garments and invisibility in choosing the wrong ones. Nice post!
http://www.awellstyledlife.com
Exactly! When consciously choosing wee get some of the power back and can use it to counteract stereotypes or other controlling messages.
I am extremely aware of the messages my wardrobe projects. There is power in choosing the right garments and invisibility in choosing the wrong ones. Nice post!
http://www.awellstyledlife.com
Exactly! When consciously choosing wee get some of the power back and can use it to counteract stereotypes or other controlling messages.
I love how you "hang out with" and become "part of" this significant exhibit. Very powerful and intriguing! And in living color!
Thanks, that’s an interesting observation. I seem to get inspired by entering a space rather than having a plan. Your comments always reflect such an understanding of what I am trying to do.
I love how you "hang out with" and become "part of" this significant exhibit. Very powerful and intriguing! And in living color!
Thanks, that’s an interesting observation. I seem to get inspired by entering a space rather than having a plan. Your comments always reflect such an understanding of what I am trying to do.
Love the exhibit and what it represents.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
The artist also did an installation where she made a tiara of expired pills and wore a dress like she was in a beauty pageant and called herself "Ms Conception". She gave out cards with facts about the movement when she interacted with the audience. She is really great.
Agree with you about getting our power back, so much. Love this exhibit in so many ways. Handbags as metaphors! It’s so subversive.
Anita
http://www.lookforthewoman.com
Isn’t it fabulous? I love the use of vintage from the time the movement began.
Agree with you about getting our power back, so much. Love this exhibit in so many ways. Handbags as metaphors! It’s so subversive.
Anita
http://www.lookforthewoman.com
Isn’t it fabulous? I love the use of vintage from the time the movement began.
I want to commend you for daring to "wear"your
beautifully cut silver hair! Your outfit colors-shades of
black and white harmonize and are wonderfully styled
with that top most hair color in mind.As a New York
City trained artist I just wanted to say"Bravo"(!!)to
you–that is some hefty economic and fashion statement
you are making while living and working in one of the most
commercial minded cities of the world. When the fashion
houses include people of all ages,genders,and ethnic
backgrounds on their fashion week runways then I
will believe their advertising. Thanks for being a very
great example–I am trying to do the same out here
in the nearby suburbs with my own white and gray hair.
You absolutely got the reason I wear black and white so often, it really showcases my hair and puts in strong relief. Being an artist, you have a great eye. Yes, I too reserve judgement on whether fashion is becoming inclusive to those of a certain age. Perhaps someone has figured out who has the disposable income?
I want to commend you for daring to "wear"your
beautifully cut silver hair! Your outfit colors-shades of
black and white harmonize and are wonderfully styled
with that top most hair color in mind.As a New York
City trained artist I just wanted to say"Bravo"(!!)to
you–that is some hefty economic and fashion statement
you are making while living and working in one of the most
commercial minded cities of the world. When the fashion
houses include people of all ages,genders,and ethnic
backgrounds on their fashion week runways then I
will believe their advertising. Thanks for being a very
great example–I am trying to do the same out here
in the nearby suburbs with my own white and gray hair.
You absolutely got the reason I wear black and white so often, it really showcases my hair and puts in strong relief. Being an artist, you have a great eye. Yes, I too reserve judgement on whether fashion is becoming inclusive to those of a certain age. Perhaps someone has figured out who has the disposable income?
So struck by the fact that every woman carried a handbag, but couldn’t have the same control over her body. I like the choices you make – you bring peer back into the equation.
So struck by the fact that every woman carried a handbag, but couldn’t have the same control over her body. I like the choices you make – you bring peer back into the equation.
Power, not peer!
Yes, what we wear or carry can communicate important messages, if we are thinking and aware. Thanks for commenting.
Power, not peer!
Yes, what we wear or carry can communicate important messages, if we are thinking and aware. Thanks for commenting.
It sounds so good: My Body, My Business. I like those handbags with different shapes and words.
Yes, that slogan really appealed to me, there is a real energy in it and conveys an unspoken feeling I have been having lately.
It sounds so good: My Body, My Business. I like those handbags with different shapes and words.
Yes, that slogan really appealed to me, there is a real energy in it and conveys an unspoken feeling I have been having lately.