Some of the fashion on view at MoPop’s new show: A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes,
The Museum of Pop Culture aka MoPop is opening a new show this week that goes beyond its normal exhibits that tend to focus on popular music or more obvious examples of pop culture like science fiction/fantasy/horror/comic book TV shows and movies.
A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes examines the world of fashion but through a very specific lens, “investigating symbols of womanhood” while it “challenges conventional notions of beauty” by a variety of fashion designers and artists of different genres from around the world. Incorporating actual pieces of clothing and accessories as well as photographic and video imagery, the show will center on exploring six different archetypal feminine personas:
Mother Earth
Sage
Enchantress
Explorer
Heroine
Thespian
All these character types re-occur in the world’s monomyth, the shared mythologies of all the world’s myths, religions, fairy tales and up through today’s comic book culture (See? you knew there had to be a tie in with comic books somewhere in this show…) Earth Mothers and Enchantresses populate tales from every culture and every point in human existence. A Queen Within will examine and compare the symbolisms used by cultures in the creation of clothing, head pieces and jewelry through the work of such artists as Vivienne Westwood, Iris van Herpen, Rei Kawakubo and many others both famous and not so famous.
This amazing exhibit, which is a must see for any fan of fashion regardless of gender, will kick off this Friday, May 10th with a big gala party at MoPop featuring live performances and a fashion show featuring local designers. Among the artists performing will be Grace Love and The Dirty Church, Filthy FemCorps and “She is FIERCE”.
Grab tickets to this special event HERE and more info down below!
Grace Love and The Dirty ChurchGrace Love and The Dirty Church formed in 2006 and is led by Seattle native Grace Love. Characterized as “soul,” Love’s music references the different genres, communities and cultures that have aided in her exploration of sound. Love has played with the California Honeydrops, as a backup singer for Melissa Etheridge, and with music legend Quincy Jones. She continues to make music and spread her message that Love and Music never die.MakeFashionMakeFashion explores fashion fused with cutting-edge electronics. The organization focuses on introducing designers, engineers, and makers to new technologies and the amalgam of high fashion and high tech.The Filthy FemCorpsFilthy FemCorps’ mission is to foster a nurturing environment where all types of women are empowered to freely express their creative talents, and push boundaries joyously, fiercely and unapologetically through high energy music and movement.She is FIERCE“she is FIERCE: stories from the female and genderqueer perspective” is a recurring storytelling event in Seattle where female identified, and genderqueer individuals of all demographics share stories from their experiences that matter to them. For A Queen Within, “she is FIERCE” presents six female-identified and genderqueer storytellers who will be performing pieces about the stories that live in their clothes, the way they express themselves through style, and the things they love or reject about fashion.A QUEEN WITHIN: ADORNED ARCHETYPES Opening Night PartyCelebrate the queen inside us all with an evening of fashion, art, and music at an opening party for A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes. Event features:
- Live performance from Seattle’s reigning queen of soul, Grace Love and The Dirty Church
- Pop-up fashion show by members of Seattle’s Make Fashion community, featuring tech-inspired concepts and forward-thinking garments
- Live performance from raucous marching band Filthy FemCorps
- Readings from the fem-centric storytelling group “She is FIERCE”
- DJ sets and fashion-forward video blocks
- An exhibition-themed immersive photo-op
- Artist-led activities
WHEN:Friday, May 10, 20197:00pm-11:00pmWHERE:Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)325 5th Avenue NSeattle, WA 98109TICKETS:Advance Tickets: $30 ($25 for MoPOP Members)Day of Show: $33 ($28 for MoPOP members).This event is 21+.Tickets available at MoPOP.org
Omar Victor Diop
Print
Aminata, 2013
From The Studio of Vanities series
Photo courtesy of MAGNIN-A Gallery, Paris
MoPOP AND BARRETT BARRERA PROJECTS STAGE A MULTIDIMENSIONAL FASHION EXHIBITION EXAMINING ARCHETYPES OF WOMANHOOD
“A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes,” an exhibition exploring new femininity and storytelling in boundary-pushing fashion.The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is pleased to present A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes, opening to the public on May 11, 2019. Curated and designed by Sofia Hedman and Serge Martynov of MUSEEA, A Queen Within is a large-scale exhibition produced and toured internationally by Barrett Barrera Projects.A Queen Within investigates symbols of womanhood and challenges conventional notions of beauty with experimental gowns, headpieces, and jewelry by boundary-pushing fashion designers and artists including Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Gypsy Sport, Hassan Hajjaj, and Iris van Herpen. The exhibition features more than 100 articles of fashion, photography, and videos presented in a dramatic gallery design that explores six archetypal personality types, including Mother Earth, Sage, Enchantress, Explorer, Heroine and Thespian. Derived from recurring motifs in myths and fairy tales of world literature, these archetypes are used to help unpack our understanding of the visual symbolism of female identity.“A Queen Within exemplifies the life-changing force of creativity that we strive to foster here at MoPOP,” says Alexis Lee, Executive Director of MoPOP. “We are thrilled to bring such beautiful and inspirational work to our community that sparks timely and relevant cultural commentary, while celebrating emerging and established artists.”In a moment of critical reevaluation of women’s roles in culture, business and society at large, A Queen Within presents a progressive, global exploration of female archetypes as seen through the eyes of an international cast of influential fashion and visual arts practitioners including: Adidas, Alexander McQueen, Anrealage/Kunihiko Morinaga, Antoine Peters, Arvida Byström & Maja Malou Lyse, Ashish, Bea Szenfeld, Bourgeois Boheme, Carcel, Chanel, Chan Luu, Charlie le Mindu, Chromat, Comme des Garçons, Cooper & Gorfer, Cutecircuit, David Lachapelle, Diana Scherer, Fantich & Young, Gianfranco Ferré, Gucci, Gypsy Sport, Hassan Hajjaj, Herdentier, Hideki Seo, Iris van Herpen, Jalila Essaïdi, Joanne Petit-Frère, Jordan Askill, June Canedo, Keta Gutmane, Kids of the Diaspora. Living Colors, Louise Linderoth, Maja Gunn, Maiko Takeda, Maïmouna Guerresi, Michael Drummond, Minna Palmqvist, MuSkin, Namilia, Omar Victor Diop, Pam Hogg, Petit Pli, Prada, Reformation, Rich Mnisi, Sandra Backlund, Serena Gili, Shaun Leane, Slow Factory, Studio Roosegaarde, Tabitha Osler, this is Sweden, Tommy Hilfiger, and Vivienne Westwood. Special commissioned headpieces by Charlie le Mindu.“We are delighted to present A Queen Within at the innovative and highly acclaimed MoPOP, and experience first-hand the unique vibrancy of Seattle,” says co-curator Serge Martynov. “Seattle’s remarkable cultural and technological development over the past few years make it uniquely primed for this exhibition.”The exhibition opens to the public May 11 and stays on view through September 2, 2019.For more information, visit: www.mopop.org/aqueenwithin WHAT:A Queen Within: Adorned ArchetypesUsing the six personality types of a queen-Sage, Enchantress, Explorer, Mother Earth, Heroine, and Thespian-the exhibition explores how designers like Alexander McQueen, Joanne Petit-Frère, Hideki Seo, Gucci, Chromat, and Vivienne Westwood use their work to create a space for contemplating the relationship between dress, society, and our shared history.A Queen Within highlights a broad range of designers-from the internationally famous to the currently emerging-resulting in a deep inquiry into the diverse nature of the feminine. Gowns, wigs, shoes, and photographs are presented in immersive environments rich in symbolism, inviting visitors to peer into the private worlds of deeply powerful feminine figures.
WHERE:Museum of Pop Culture325 5th Avenue N, SeattleWHEN:May 11 – September 2, 2019TICKETS:Starting at $23 + General Museum AdmissionMoPOP Member Pricing starts at $8 with General Museum Admission included with membershipABOUT BARRET BARRERA PROJECTSBarrett Barrera Projects manages a significant body of Alexander McQueen’s work, a large portion of which is featured in the exhibition alongside an equally expansive representation of significant contemporary designers and artists such as Anrealage, Ashish,Chromat, Comme des Garçons, Gucci, Gypsy Sport, Hassan Hajjaj, Iris van Herpen, Pam Hogg and Maïmouna Guerresi. Barrett Barrera Projects offers complex, multi-disciplinary exhibition experiences that challenge the traditional boundaries separating art, fashion, design and performance.ABOUT MUSEEAMUSEEA is a multidisciplinary design and curatorial platform based in London/Stockholm/Barcelona. Integral to their work is creating thought-provoking immersive environments that intrigue, inspire and draw people together. MUSEEA’s projects are driven by a passion for stimulating collaborations, global inclusivity and sustainable artistic practices.ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MoPOP)MoPOP is a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle, with a mission to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities. MoPOP reaches multigenerational audiences through our collections, exhibitions, community engagements, and educational programs, bringing understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time. For more information, visit MoPOP.org
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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