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March Issue 2006
Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, NC, Installs New Costume Gallery with Exhibit on 18th - 19th Century Fashions
Fashion embodies creative
expression, yet it is unique in that it requires the support and
movement of the human body to fully appreciate its intent. Over
the centuries, fashion design and advancement have developed as
legitimate disciplines within the study of art history and the
visual arts. These are the premises upon which the Mint Museum
of Art's Historic Costume and Fashionable Dress Collection has
been developed.
This collection was founded in 1972 thanks to the dedicated efforts
of volunteers within the Mint Museum Auxiliary. What began as
a concerted effort to save community heirlooms has grown to become
a rich resource and one of The Mint Museums' six artistic focus
areas. The collection currently houses nearly 7,500 items of women's,
men's and children's fashions. Research, conservation/restoration,
preservation, exhibition and educational programming are collection
goals identified with the founding of the Historic Costume Collection
and continue as primary objectives and directives today. Through
these efforts, the Historic Costume Collection provides a unique
lens through which to study aesthetic movements and the continuum
of artistic development of the last three centuries as seen within
American fashion and its European influences.
The new Costume Gallery
is presenting Dressed to Impress: 18th and 19th Century Fashions
from the Historic Costume Collection. Excitement rests not
only with the presentation of past and recent acquisitions, but
also with the renovation of the nearly 2,000 square foot Robicsek
Gallery at the Mint Museum of Art in which to house costume exhibitions.
Additionally, selections from the museum's decorative arts collection
will be presented to complement period fashions, while new, custom-made
mannequins - designed to replicate the smaller stature of past
generations - will present the garments with elegance and poise.
The display will also include a large body of period accessories
(such as shoes, hats, jewelry and parasols) presented on the mannequins
or within special display cases designed into the installation.
The selections will highlight the complexity of past wardrobes
that necessitated a lady of means often changing clothes six to
eight times a day, so as to be suitably dressed for each occasion
and activity on her daily calendar. At-home leisure garments,
afternoon dresses, court attire, ball gowns, sports wear and more
will be presented.
The care and presentation of the Historic Costume Collection has been made possible thanks to the generosity of many individuals within the community and beyond. All will be recognized in a special sponsors' panel within the gallery. The museum deeply appreciates their support and continued interest in this exceptional collection. If you are interested in contributing to the Costume Collection Fund that is restricted to the care and maintenance of this valuable collection, please call 704/337-2001 for further information.
The opening of the new Historic Costume gallery is yet another benchmark in the accomplishments of The Mint Museums. Future fashion exhibitions are planned, with a special showing of 20th century designers to be presented in spring 2007. In the meanwhile, plan to visit this new gallery and experience the fashion arts!
For further information
check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Museum at
704/337-2000 or at (www.mintmuseum.org).
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