"Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion" Unfastens Our Finery

At >Visarts, the edgy exhibit, Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion, turns the concept of clothing inside out.

Jan Mandel

Jan Mandel, an internationally collected Sculptural Jeweler who was a juror for the exhibit, said it demonstrates a new “shift” in society. Due to the financial crisis people are being forced to think outside the box as they did in the early 1920’s. Back then, wealth changed and people redefined what was possible. This special exhibit in Rockville is the first in the DC area to explore wearable art in such a cutting edge manner.

You’ll find dresses incorporating newspaper with cd’s and soda labels with garbage bags. Is the financial situation that bad? If it is, you can always make a shirt out of cigarette boxes.

Because the dress recycled a handmade artifact, my favorite was Marie Bergastedt’s Undercover Waltz ($1,500) made of an antique silk quilt, recycled cotton, velvet, wire, and embroidery thread. Along with recycled items, the exhibit also interprets nontraditional materials. Alanna Buedding’s Kai Qunzi (NFS) used reclaimed leather lacing and rivets from an old factory which had been hand punched and riveted to create the loose, see-through action of the dress. The artist provided the measurements for this remarkable piece and I miss being able to fit into it by one. I won’t say which one.

Undercover Waltz

The Weekly Washing by Lil Schaer of Switzerland gives a doily of an underwear giggle. ($370/piece) Interestingly enough, the Penny Loafers cost more than a penny ($9,500). You might be able to glean the fashion fun which awaits your visit to this exhibit.

Last Friday’s opening reception was packed. The Friday night events at Visarts are often popular but this was a big crowd. Some of the pieces were modeled during a show. A photographer was also on hand to shoot pictures of stylist fashions.

One of the galleries at Visarts has been converted into a working studio for fabric artists and many of their supporters came to see the new space. We’re very lucky to have so many working artists right in our City.

Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion is on exhibit at Visarts until June 19, 2010. Click here for location and hours.