Yesterday the Textile Museum Associates of Southern California presented a program from the Victoria and Albert museum in London, on the history of the kimono.
Since it was scheduled to be shown to people in 55 countries, the London based curator decided to go ahead despite the current mourning in the UK.
If you're in the UK, it's worth a trip, I'd say. It covers the kimono, which simply means garment, from the days of the Shogun when the finest silk threads, embroidery and shibori dyeing went into creating wildly expensive bespoke kimonos for the wealthy, to the twentieth century flapper dress.
Most of the slides shown here are of seventeenth century kimonos, moving into the twentieth century where flapper dresses showed their influence, via eighteenth century and later fashion with kimono like features and loose fit.
The Kabuki theater played a role, with actors wearing kimonos which later were made for sale, a kind of early product placement . Cheaply produced woodblock prints advertised the garments. Actresses also modeled the latest kimono fashions.
The Dutch East India company got involved, importing cotton fabric from India for more mass produced kimonos in the latest colors and styles. They also adapted them for European wear, with narrower sleeves and padded cuffs against the cold European winters.
And you'll see below antique dolls created in authentic costume, probably not as toys as much as luxury decorative items.
A wonderful exhibit, one to see in person uf you're anywhere near.
And today's that heavy date, hard to get through, particularly here, close to the city, where we were impacted personally.
Usually it's a beautiful sunny day, more poignant, but today's showers are helping with the inevitable memories. As I'm writing this paragraph, it's the exact anniversary of the moment when the first plane struck the Towers .
Let's go out with this modern take on an ancient Metis art form
Happy day everyone. Ukraine's winning back its territory and Putin may be nearing the end of his power. Hope springs eternal.
Yes, hope does spring. The Russians are retreating, maybe this will be over soon. I wonder if they will get Crimea back. It was never Putin's in the first place. The Kimonos are beautiful, I always wondered how one managed that much fabric when wearing one.
ReplyDeleteYou know, in some ways kimono art is the epitome of so many forms to my eye. I know that I am culturally biased. But the delicacy AND strength of what they represent just absolutely stuns and pleases me.
ReplyDeleteThe kimono exhibit is interesting. Also interesting is the decision to continue with the presentation. The Washington Post had a story saying, "Is anyone really in mourning? Life goes on as usual in the UK," or something like that. Which is true. Everything is open. Life goes on.
ReplyDeleteYou go to such great trouble to curate these little shows for us. I hope we say thanks often enough.
ReplyDeleteAs for Putin, I know in my heart he must end as all evil dictators of the current era have. But not soon enough.
Joanne I really appreciate your acknowledging what it takes to present these programs, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI do love to share important art events and it does take time to upload, crop and organize and write them up succinctly without too much art jargon. This one accounted for about two and a half hours, not counting cursing.
I think blogistas do enjoy them so that's fine.
I pray you are right about Putin! The kimonos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was driving to the hospital to visit a friend in ICU when news first came on about the Twin Towers.
ReplyDeleteTaking note of your comment about shoguns reminded me of one of the best books I've read - 'Shogun' by James Clavell. It's a thick book but what an amazing insight into the life of those times.
ReplyDeleteAs for the news from the Ukraine - there's been talk here about the concern now that Putin might just put his finger on the nuclear capability. One last 'hurrah' in his mind perhaps. Pray that doesn't happen.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete