As I've mentioned in the recent past, Karen and I did manage to get out and about while she was here. I wasn't about to let her come all the way from England for hospital visits only, and Denis felt the same way, bless 'im.
One of the places we visited was the Phoenix Art Museum. I did have an ulterior motive. The last time Denis and I had been there, I didn't manage to take a look at the Fashion exhibits wing. I've been interested in fashion since I was a teenager. I'm not quite sure why because I've very seldom ever wanted to wear any of it, and I even think that most of it is silly. But... fashion does have its place in history, and I think that's the reason for my interest. Visiting with Karen made more sense this time because I know that Denis would not have the slightest interest in fashion!
The Phoenix Art Museum has expanded over the years. The main branch of the Phoenix Public Library used to be right next-door, but when it moved further down Central Avenue to a spiffy new building, the art museum could expand. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of the building. The layout is confusing even with a map, but Karen and I muddled through and saw everything that we wanted to see. Come join us!
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| "Landscape" 1986, found and prepared weathered wood. Artist: George Morrison |
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| Detail. This piece fascinated me. |
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| Karen and I really liked this. Too bad I couldn't find the name of it anywhere! |
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| Detail |
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| One area I'd missed on a previous trip was Fashion in the Katz Wing of the museum. This is a court gown made in 1765. |
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| "Egg" minaudiere with coin purse, comb, and mirror. Made by Judith Leiber in 1988. |
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| Detail. I want one! |
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| Fashions from the late 19th century |
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| The Roaring Twenties |
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| I
don't know why I've always been fascinated by fashion; I've certainly
never wanted to wear it. Well... maybe a Fortuny gown or something by
Worth when I was skinny! Karen and I both had our eyes on the Fortuny gown. |
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| Fortuny
gown. Custom-dyed silk velvet jacket made in 1934. The "Delphos" gown
made of crystal pleated silk satin with Murano glass beads and a belt of
silk satin stenciled with metallic "flowers" from the 1920s. Those pleats were revolutionary. |
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| Right:
A silk chiffon dress made in 1973 by Halston. Left: a matte silk jersey
hand-pleated and hand-stitched gown and stole by Madame Gres in the
1960s. |
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| Halston detail. I wouldn't mind one of these to go along with the Fortuny. |
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| A WOOL exercise suit, 1890s-1900. Makes me break out in a sweat just thinking about exercising in that thing here in Phoenix! |
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| A "Tiffany Window" gown by Mary McFadden, 1992 |
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| Detail |
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| Detail |
As you can see, I focused on fashion more than art because many of the art pieces Karen and I saw I'd already shared in previous posts. (One. Two. Three. Four.) I made myself be circumspect with how many photos I shared from the Fashion wing. I wasn't sure how many of you would be interested.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit! Next time, you can come along with Karen and me on our visit to the Heard Museum.
Hi. What a nice visit to the museum. Beautiful. I enjoyed the visit! The tire one you couldn't ID - https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/desert-rider-exhibition-guide-la-frontera
ReplyDeleteScroll down - tires are a symbol of mobility and migration.
Recently discovered if using Chrome browser just right click on any image and Google Lens goes to work and ID's the image. So handy.
Take care.
Ev
Thank you so much for sharing your museum trip, Cathy! It's such a beautiful place with some absolutely breathtaking exhibits. And it's funny you'd focus on the fashion aspect. Like you, I wouldn't call myself a 'fashion person,' and certainly don't follow it in my own clothes choices. But it is so interesting, and says so much about a culture, I think.
ReplyDeleteFashion is its own art form, sometimes less understood because everyone wears clothing and so thinks they know more about it than is really the case. I share your willingness to wear Fortuny or Worth, preferably in a much smaller size...
ReplyDeleteAnd that Landscape in wood is fascinating! I would need time to study all the details when seeing it in person.