THOUGHTS | Why Fashion isn't Art

After numerous explanations and intersections of fashion and art, two designers claim that they do not think fashion is a form of art.

Flipping back several pages in the fashion-art book, we can recall a number of famous collaborations between the field of fashion and art - freshly ingrained in mind is probably what Louis Vuitton has pulled off with Yayoi Kusama, and the house's latest collaboration with Indonesian artist, Eko Nugroho. The yearly exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York that focuses on a designer and his/her retrospective journey in fashion also confirms how closely linked the two fields are. That is without forgetting to mention numerous other fashion-related exhibitions, as well as artistic attempts called Haute Couture collections that are worked on two times every year.

However, the notion of fashion can be equal to art undeniably feels a bit far-fetched when we compare what happens on the magnificent stage of fashion in the a la mode capitals to what happens around us. Fashion is decoded in the form of clothing garbs. Fashion retailers eye for as much profit as possible instead of quality and style. People are flocking to adopt the newest trends at the lowest price - an action that for me, arguably feels right and wrong at the same time. Art itself, attempts to define the abstract ideas, which come both utterly cheap and unbelievably expensive, depends on what kind of art articles we are talking about.

So much confusion in each field - both art and fashion, because of the different aspects and qualities applied to value the creation. Rising British designer J.W. Anderson whose part of the company is now owned by LVMH sounds his opinion about whether his creation is an art. In the interview with Dazed Digital, he mentions that, "I will never see fashion as an art form. I see it as more mechanical. You cannot compare an artist to a designer; I think it’s a very different proposition. Both are commerce now, from what they used to be, but fashion is reduced, art doesn’t necessarily happen that way. It doesn’t get reduced, it exceeds in value. I wouldn’t want it be an artist, but I like the idea that there is a shelf life to it - you have to harness this moment."

A more thought-provoking statement came from Japanese "artistic" designer Yohji Yamamoto in his interview with Sleek, saying that he hates the word fashion. "I hate fashion. Or the word fashion, which sounds colourful, extravagant, expensive and gorgeous." In the interview Yamamoto also considered that what he is making is not art, although people often believe so. For him, fashion is about the business of craftsmanship, a side of which is going to disappear soon.

Witnessing how fast trend comes and go, how ephemeral a creation in fashion industry is, maybe it is simply logical to say that fashion is not art. Still, a part of it can very much be appreciated like art - something that moves and influences us in a meaningful way. I personally enjoy how the interchange between the two worlds take place in an intersection that is busy with both the brilliant minds and hype seekers.

image is from vogue.com

Something Rad: Beyond the Limits

Usually I post inspiring images (most of them are usually about fashion and photography) in my tumblr, but I discovered these drawings created by autistic individuals--from teenager to established artists in 50 Watt, another recent found illustration and art site, and quickly decided to post my four favourites here. Their creations touch me, bring some kind of mixed feeling, how they can produce such intriguing pieces despite of their limitations.

Leap Year by Emily L.Williams

War in Vietnam by Milda Bandzaite

Vogels by David Barth (he's only 10!)

Mirror Mind by Eric Chen

Check the entire post here. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)

Story: Blissfully Haunted Stage

These past few days I have been pretty much occupied with a little project of mine--theatre. If you read my past posts, I spent an up-and-down six months living in Germany, did my internship there and struggled my ass around the corners of tantalizing cities of Germany. So yes, I spoke just enough amount of German for me to survive and when I got back to Indonesia, I continue learning the language, so it would not simply vanish. An institution where I take my Saturday morning class (it really is früh) gave me and my friends in class a chance to perform a simple play for the internal closing party (I am not sure how they call the event in English :p). 

Long story short, I came up with an idea for a drama, wrote the story, and ended up directing the play. I did not do all by myself, of course, a lot of members of the team really are really supportive during the process, they tweaked the story and made it even lively as I am a mere amateur who has not performed in any theatre play for the past seven years. During my junior high school years I involved in a lot of school plays and wrote a short script for a comedy drama, but after those fun times in drama club, my life took another turn and kind of put acting aside. So when my German teacher asked us to do a play, my heart was thrilled and despite all the constraints--time, energy, creativity, commitment, etc etc, our performance last Saturday was definitely not a disappointing one. We practiced only around one and a half months before the show, and to be honest, it was hard since none of us have solid theatre background (me neither). Credits goes to the whole class who have put enormous efforts during the rehearsal and especially, our German teacher who has given a great opportunity for us to perform and delivered constant support as well as inspired us to go beyond our limits.

photos are from Monik and Hanna

If you see horrific faces, it is because the play is about ghosts who lose identity :p I cannot wait to see the recording and yes, the make up and costume are made by us as well. No, not me, but there are numbers of talented and determined persons who were kind and devoted to create the whole costume and make up for the ghosts :) Really wish I can do similar things regularly, it was really a blast and my heart is really longing for some stage time :) It is really like a sanctuary, where I can be free to express myself and enjoy the moment... Until another great day, folks! 

Something Rad: Virtual Valentino

After previously visited a contemporary fashion and art exhibition, I immediately remembered that one of my favourite brands, Valentino--with all the intricate details, haute couture aura, and appreciation to woman's aesthetic beauty, has just opened the door to its refreshing exhibition concept--a virtual museum. It is undeniably one breakthrough for fashion and art since it enables all audience, even those who reside in the most uninhabited part of the Earth, as long as they have internet connection, to be able to gain access to the intimate journey of the brand. This virtual museum is where I am willing to be lost in, since every part of it excites me, with detailed background stories and accompanying images of all the dresses.

What more important is, that the museum does not merely highlight the creation, but the focal point is actually the designer. Valentino Garavani is an Italian designer who has carved his way in fashion industry from a very young age. He studied fashion in Paris and worked for a couture atelier before opening his own atelier in 1959. He later cooperated with Giancarlo Giammeti to support him from business side, and one of the most successful cooperation in fashion industry has bred notable achievements and recognition for the luxury brand.

I took some print caps to show you how lovely the virtual museum is, with some rooms designed to showcase Valentino's couture dresses that have been categorized according to the themes such as White, Pastel and Pattern, Black, Red, Animal Print, and so on. When you click "more" for each dress, there will be a detailed narration about the dresses, along side with the runway videos, photos, and sketches. 

Beside the dresses, Valentino who is highly skilled in creating couture pieces also share his story when he had to prepare certain dresses, which I found really interesting and enticing since it really makes you feel like you experience the "behind-the-scene" process. Other rooms in the museum also expose the visitors more about the journey of Valentino, share stories and pictures on muses, friends, events, and biographies. You should really visit the museum yourself, simply by download here (it's only 8MB so don't worry :p) and be fascinated inside.

And here are some pictures of who made an appearance at the museum launch...

Sarah Jessica Parker and Valentino himself

Claire Danes

Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig

Hanneli Mustaparta

images are from Harpers Bazaar.

Feminine, embroidered, simple cut dress is my weakness. Brb going to the museum (again). :D

Something Rad: A Modern-Art Scene

The dynamic development of creative industry, where the term "art" and "culture" are defined in a broad perspective and translated in many unexpected creations, is a constant change that I believe needed by modern society. The stories and inspirations behind artistic works are two things that interest me in some ways, where a tangible feature speaks more than what meets the eyes. So when I got information about an art exhibition, I decided to give myself a try, grasping contemporary art in my own way. The exhibition is titled "Contemporary Culture Interplay", held by PMR Cube and curated by Jim Supangkat, in which the exhibition took a calm space and embraced several forms of contemporaneity, mixes of pop art legacy, fashion, comics, and ethnic tradition. I am not an art commentator, but overall the exhibition offered some sort of friendly-introduction to "commoners" who merely enjoy and build interest of the art movement. Personally, I wish there are more stories about the works beside the information about the medium used, something that makes me drawn into the world of the artists.

Wearable Art Object, "Identity' series"by Aditya Novali

Hanging: Amnesia Nation by Heri Dono
On the Wall: (sorry I didn't get the name right :( )

by Adesagi Kirana

by Sapto Djojokartiko

Heritage by Josephine Linggar

Cultural Evolution by R. Sumantri MS

So I missed a lot of names of artists and designers here, I didn't really take notes, just took pictures of what's interesting to my sight. Really sorry for that, but I hope you enjoy this post nonetheless! :)

uber cool

coming back to the blogger world.. i am currently not really in the mood to post, or even do anything.. life just feels rather..empty.. moreover, it is still in the middle of Oct and i have spent ALL of my money. crap. i desperately look for a job to gain more money since i spend 'em hard and fast ;p ohh, n this amazing pict comes from another lovely blog, but unfortunately i forgot what ): i'm so sorry..i'll tell u as soon as i get the blog then. hope u all hav a pleasant life!

Cheers!
G