Exhibition: Breaking the Mode

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Exhibition: To Live Forever

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Exhibition: Power and Glory

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It all started at an early age. As a young girl growing up in Southwestern Indiana, my Aunt Donna was far and away the most fashionable person I knew. She owned a few designer handbags, quite a few pairs of Ferragamo shoes, and an extensive jewelry collection. Always an impeccable dresser, she was the height of fashion in my young world.

20 years later, my passion for fashion has expanded significantly, but my Aunt is still at the heart of it all. I have inherited her shoes, her handbags, some of her jewelry, and most importantly, her appreciation for all things chic. I work hard at emulating her style. I’m not going to lie…I subscribe to 5 different fashion magazines. I also do my fair share of internet reading. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Web sites and blogs dedicated to fashion and I probably read about half of them.

Until recently I felt guilty about my style addiction. I only read www.style.com behind closed doors, because I felt it was frivolous and indulgent. However, with the opening of the IMA’s latest exhibition, Breaking the Mode: Contemporary Fashion from the Permanent Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the tutorial of the IMA’s curator of textile and fashion arts, Niloo Paydar, I have learned that my love for fashion is another variation of my passion for art. PHEW!…I’m not nearly as shallow and superficial as I thought I was!

With all of this said, let me tell you why I’m so unbelievably, uncontrollably excited today: A fashion icon is coming to the IMA to speak. In case you don’t know yet, The Sartorialist (a.k.a. Scott Schuman) will be speaking TONIGHT in DeBoest Lecture Hall at 7:00 pm. Schuman is a journalist who is most famous for his blog on which he features images of stylish people on the streets of cities all over the world. The diversity of the images—colorful street fashion in India to haute couture in Paris—reveals that style is more than just a label; it is also a personal expression. The success of The Sartorlialist blog has gained Schuman a great deal of accolades and attention. He was recently named by Time magazine as one of the fashion world’s 100 most influential people.

While, I wasn’t on that list (maybe next year), Schuman and I still have a lot in common. We blog. We love photography. We love to travel. We love fashion. And perhaps most astounding of all, Schuman is also a native Hoosier. I’m pretty sure we’re destined to be best friends. I have grand notions that we will spend hours after the lecture tonight discussing fashion, our influences, and our childhoods in Indiana. I’ve got a few really good stories about my aunt to tell him. However, if for any reason Schuman doesn’t want to be my best friend for the day (I can’t imagine!), I have a backup plan. I’ll be packing a Sharpie and a few of my favorite Vogues from over the years for him to autograph. It’s not nearly as fun, but I think this plan is a bit more realistic.

So, please join me tonight at 7:00 pm for Scott Schuman’s lecture “Street & Elite: The Sartorialist’s World of Fashion.” Grab a drink at Happy Hour before hand, and afterwards, head up and see the Breaking the Mode exhibition. Stop by and say hello if you come. I’ll be the girl in the front row with the markers and the stack of magazines!

Location: Surround yourself and your guests with art by choosing a museum as your wedding venue. Tie the knot at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the State Museum, the Eiteljorg or as our development events manager Jane will do on May 25, at the Columbus Museum of Art. Feel too formal? Try a smaller, local art gallery for a more intimate setting.

Invitations: Have your invitations custom made by a graphic designer rather than a stationary representative or company. You’ll find that most graphic designers are happy to take a break from their daily grind to help you out.

Dress: Find inspiration for your wedding attire at Breaking the Mode or other museum fashion exhibitions. You’ll have a better understanding of construction, materials, form and concept, so when you get to the store, you’ll be the expert.

Wedding Gift: Have your portrait painted for your spouse rather than buying the typical gift that most would want to hurl into the ocean on the honeymoon. If you are especially pleased with the piece, display it in on an easel to share with your guests at the reception.

Cake: Let your cake be inspired by your favorite work of art, painting or artist. Ceramics and other decorative art translate well to a wedding cake. I’m partial to this cake inspired by Wedgwood blue china with icing-like trim on jasperware, developed in England in 1775.

Decor: Vanessa, the IMA’s cooridinator of external events, offers several reception decor ideas. She suggests bright or subtle table linens arranged in ROYGBIV (color wheel) throughout the room. For table numbers and name cards, use postcards of your favorite works of art (from a museum gift shop) or designate tables after artists for guest seating. And you can always use Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture for table centerpieces or a cake topper.

Children: Have a table designated with an art teacher or artistic friend to keep the little ones occupied.

Photography: There are so many talented photographers out there. Just inform them of your style — modern, artistic or journalistic. After the wedding, be sure and blow up your favorite black & white closeup as the perfect piece to put in your home.

Favors: Send your guests home with notecard-sized canvas papers with water colors or jointed wooden mannequin forms that hold each guest’s place card as favors.

Anniversary: Whether your wedding day was so long ago it’s been deaccessioned from your mind or only a fews short brush strokes away, make plans to visit a favorite art gallery or museum. Commission a local artist to create a custom piece of art for your home — to commemorate the past year of marriage. I suggest the historic, yet romantic style of local artist Kyle Ragsdale.

Art has the potential to inspire so much, some aspects of which we may not at first even be aware. Its full influence on your wedding may only be evident in retrospect!

What is it about the fashion world that pulls us in? What draws us to these clothes that could probably only be worn on the runway or red carpet? Why are we willing to wear terribly tight shoes just because they look good? Fashion is art. Everything about it, from the clothes, to the make up, to the model. Art isn’t always appreciated by everyone. Each piece will have it’s fans and it’s haters. I can share with you some direct experiences I had through my eyes. I may not know how to create the next amazing trend in fashion, but I do know what it takes to show it off!

I was a huge tomboy growing up,. I wore hand me down clothes, and half the time it didn’t match. Yet as soon as I hit my teens I found myself sucked into glamour magazines. I would stare at pictures of pretty emaciated 14 year old models and wish that I could be them. I would stare at the designer clothes that they got to parade around in and I would go green with envy. How wonderful it would be to wear expensive designer clothes! Seemingly overnight I went from a nobody waitress to a model. I won the first season of America’s Next Top Model in 2003. What is it like to walk head on into the industry? What are fittings, fashion shows, and photo shoots like? Lucky for you, I love to dish dirt, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

At 5′10 and 1/2 and 123 lbs, I was told I was overweight. My first goal was to lose the weight. Sadly, I didn’t have much to lose, so it proved difficult. I moved into a models apartment with 5 other girls at the age of 21. They called me Mom since I was 5 years older than the youngest one! It was this apartment that I got acquainted with the ugly world of models. Our refrigerator was filled with bottled water, a few veggies, and one or two containers of yogurt. How could anyone eat so little? Why on earth would a woman torture herself this way? I promised myself I would never allow anyone to tell me to lose weight. It would be absurd! I was already so small. I found out soon enough when I went on my first go and see’s just why these women were willing to waste away.

In I walk into my first casting. I was asked to try on a few articles of clothing. As I tried to pull the softest material in the world up that wouldn’t budge just above my knee, it hit me. These women starve themselves because these clothes are made for pre-pubescent little girls! The next casting I went to, the person told me to my face that I was too big! In the real world, people say I am too skinny. In this world, I was too fat. I soon realized that at 21, I was an old fart. If I was going to compete in this game, I had to play by it’s rules. I immediately got a gym membership, and started dieting. Due to lack of protein and other much needed fuel from food, I started bruising easily. I also started developing dark circles under my eyes. However, I dropped the weight! When I walked into my agency, my agent hugged me and told me how wonderful I looked. Living dead girl was ready to hit the castings again!

I went out completely bitter and angry at myself for having done what I did. Losing weight like this was against my beliefs. At least I didn’t have an eating disorder. I was still eating! When I walked into my first casting for the day I showed them my walk. Within two days they had contacted my agency to have me come down for a fitting! This was to be my first runway show in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC. Anyone into fashion know that this is what it’s all about! The clothes slipped on effortlessly. I was a size 2 at almost 6 feet tall. When I saw my reflection in the mirror I made myself a promise. I would not deny my body anything for this anymore. However, I was happy I did it to at least be in this big show. The big night was mayhem. Gay men running around having diva fits over lighting and makeup. Eccentric women walking by to tell you how fabulous the show is going to be. Photographers trying to take pictures of your naked body between changes while people who worked for the designer freaked trying to ensure you didn’t rub your makeup on the garments. All the while your wonderful boys telling you just how damn amazing you look.

When my time came to walk all went silent. I didn’t hear the techno music anymore. I couldn’t see the audience stare me down as I walked. I sashayed directly into the brightest light I have ever looked directly into. I was that beautiful high cheek boned emaciated girl in the designer dress I stared at growing up. I was everything I had ever wanted to be. When I stomped my way back to the curtain I realized that this gig isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. How could I be able to remain healthy yet still model? I was naturally skinny enough when I was 12-15, but I was just too far into womanhood at 21. I didn’t want to give up the glitz and glamour of being able to draw gasps from a crowd once they saw you. As a Leo, I loved to be on stage. The next year I slowly gained my weight back and my jobs lessoned. Then, one day I was getting my hair done in Milan for a fashion show and was starring at a table full of American magazines. Almost every single cover had a celebrity on it. It didn’t matter if it was a movie star or TV personality. When my hair was done, I started flipping through the pages of a few. All the major ad campaigns were being swooped up by celebrities. The best part was the celebrities didn’t have to be stick thin. I had one up on most, since I was a TV personality that could model.

Four months after I returned to the United States I landed a gig on VH1’s Surreal Life. Ever since I have been booking TV gigs. Suddenly I am collecting bigger covers and deals than I had in my past. I found the loophole. I could continue modeling works of art for the public, both on runway and in print. The best part? I didn’t have to lose any weight and I can wear the clothes I see on the runway on the red carpet. I love being able to show off a more athletic body instead of a skinny un toned one. However, the second I am asked to drop 10 pounds to be able to model for a major campaign wearing the next big designer? Where, when, and how?!? Most women have an article of clothing that is too tight for them, but it’s cute so they suck in the gut. Some of us have pairs of shoes that are far too tight, yet we still rock them out. We will suffer for fashion….will you?

A company called BetterWall allows you to buy those exhibition banners from around the world to become timeless works of art for your home or business. Started by a husband-wife team of environmental consultant and art historian, BetterWall works with museums through its “Recycle and Reuse Program” to help museums remain green by taking tons of vinyl banners off their hands and selling them, giving a portion of the profits back to the museums. I have a National Portrait Gallery, George Washington “Lansdowne” sign that used to be displayed on the Mall in Washington, D.C. framed in my living room, but this article by a Washington Post reporter was the first time I had heard of a company who made authentic museum advertising available to the public.

As unique objects produced in limited editions, the banners embody great art, great museums, and contemporary advertising trends. — BetterWall

Since you won’t find IMA signage on BetterWall, what happens to it all? To start out, indoor “case signs” that advertise upcoming and current exhibitions and programs are typically requested by IMA staff who would like them as souvenirs from the show. The exhibition’s curator always gets first dibs. Next, are the large, outdoor “facade banners” that hang over the front of building. (Roman Art from the Louvre was up last fall, and Breaking the Mode is currently up.) Because they are so massive, they are usually recycled in various ways by the IMA grounds crew for things such as tarps. The facade banners that do not advertise specific exhibitions are evergreen and are stored when not in use. The “perimeter banners,” made of the same mesh material as the facade banners, currently feature “It’s My Art.” When they are switched out in the near future, IMA staff will work with buildings management or the sign company who creates them to recycle them. And finally, the “trilon signs” at the corner of Michigan and 38th streets, are made of a durable material so they can look good regardless of the elements. Staff are looking into the possibility of an option for routinely recycling these as well.

So there you have it. It doesn’t look like authentic IMA signage is currently available for your decorating desires, but you never know what the future may hold. IMA members, check out your summer issue of Previews magazine at the end of April for a poster to put up in the office.

Last night was FIERCE! Between the drag show, the giant disco balls, the larger-than-life runway projection and the hundreds of guests, the party was a hit. Folks polished their stilettos, broke out their finest threads and didn’t disappoint. The fashion both inside and outside the galleries was stunning. I’ve posted some of the party pics on the IMA’s Flickr account. Check out who was there and what they wore by clicking here.

If you didn’t make it to the party, there’s still plenty of time to see the show. Breaking the Mode, Contemporary Fashion from the Permanent Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art is open to the public from March 16-June 1, 2008. Preview it online by clicking here.

This post is about our new video on the new installation by Julianne Swartz. It actually wasn’t on the schedule, but our team created it anyway. When there is a chance to capture some nuggets, we’ll be there. So here’s the breakdown –

Sunday Jan 27 – Lisa Freiman, curator of contemporary art, calls me at home. I’m relaxing drinking champagne and eating lobster. Lisa informs me that Julianne has arrived and the installation work has begun – can I stop by and get some footage of the initial work? I drive a hard bargain and arrive 15 minutes later. The entire oval entry floor is covered in what looks like a netting. Lisa introduces me to Julianne who is sweet, friendly and thoughtful. This is going to be a great installation.

January 28 – Feb 1 – I update the rest of the nugget factory (new media) team (Dan, Danny and Despi). We all agree to capture the rest of the installation process over the next 8 days. This means Dan and Danny periodically visit the installation and film. They’ve done this a million times, and it will look great. Danny convinces Brad Dilger, installation technician, to take him 30’ in the air for the perfect shot. Dan and I accidentally walk into his shot several times…and then several more times on purpose.

Friday Feb 1 – Despi has worked with the contemporary department to setup an exclusive video interview with Julianne. We try to do this with every artist that comes to the museum. It’s a video series we’re calling In the Factory (coming soon!). It’s the end of day on Friday, after a long, intensive week, but Julianne gives a great interview, dropping plenty of nuggets.

Wednesday February 6 – We film a segment for the Director’s Journal, a monthly series featuring IMA’s Director and various staff. Our boss, Max Anderson, discusses the installation with Julianne and Sarah Green from IMA’s contemporary department. It’s a three camera shoot in the oval entry using all members of the Nugget Factory. Everyone nails it. It’s a wrap.

February 18-22 – Dan, Danny and Despi wrap up all of the work for the Breaking the Mode website. It’s an inordinate amount of digital content – sixteen designer profile videos (shot and produced in-house), flickr pool images, an iMix, streaming audio and much more. Without stopping to reflect on a job well done, Danny moves onto editing the Julianne Swartz video.

Friday Feb 22 – Danny completes the video and all members of new media review it. We invite people to the Nugget Factory to view the piece (its standard operating procedure). Lisa and Sarah stop by, hang out, check out the video and ….drum roll….approve it! High fives all around.

Monday Feb 25 – The video is uploaded to our YouTube channel and takes its place as a nugglette on imamuseum.org.

Now it’s up to you to watch it!

But please don’t misunderstand…it is not that we aren’t excited. We are. We just have to get excited months before most people outside the museum know a show is coming. We start planning projects like the BTM site really far out so that we can be ready with cool stuff to keep you engaged as the buzz for a show starts building. For BTM we wanted to be innovative in how we presented info, give you some streaming video and create a unique feature for Project IMA, a special fashion event.

New Media still has a few BTM projects to finish. There will be a video trailer coming soon and we are working on video loops that will run in the galleries. But by the time the show opens we will be on to other things, like a documentary about Maya Lin’s work, the new series, In the Factory (look for this in March) and some other super secret stuff we can’t yet mention.

In terms of web projects, we learned some very valuable lessons in this development process that will inform what you will see in future projects. Look for us to keep innovating our presentation of video and we will strive to make every web project engaging and interactive. So take a look at BTM and tell us what you think. We’ll keep it in mind as we continue working on the To Live Forever web site (the show that opens in July)!

The good news is that the list of IMA bloggers will be expanding in the next couple of weeks. That means you won’t have to rely on my posts for your exciting look into the world of an art museum. Soon you’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, including conservation, curatorial, education and horticulture. I’ll still talk about technology, new media, art content and soccer, but I’m afraid you may have to wait a little longer. My apologies in advance.

Speaking of new bloggers, we are also working on the concept of Guest Bloggers. Yes, we are talking about people like Jay Z, Banksy, Jessica Alba, Jared the Subway Guy and other big names. I doubt we’ll get any of these celebs, but we are thinking creatively about who could be a guest blogger.

The fact is, it could be you, it could be an artist, actor, musician, race car driver, skydiver, chef and so on. Everyone is connected to art in some way, and blogging with the IMA would allow others to communicate that.

So really think about this concept. Would you blog for the IMA? If so, let us know. Who should blog for the IMA? We would love to hear your suggestions.

I’ve thought a lot about this. Someone like Jay Z would be an incredible addition to the list of IMA bloggers – but I’m not sure how likely that is. I mulled and mulled and random people started popping into my head. I’ve listed a few of them below, and in each case I tried to pick people with good web resources, so you could also learn about them. Drum roll please…

Volzy: He’s German, plays professional soccer in London, rides around on a fold up bike, LOVES David Hasselhoff and provides a listing of German phrases everyone should know, such as – Wo kann ich mir meine VokuHila Frisur blondieren lassen? (Where can I get my mullet highlighted?), as well as important facts, such as – in no other country will more X-rays be done than in Germany. I would love to hear who is his favorite artist is.

Douglas Coupland: Artist, author, blogger, Canadian, producer and more. Microserfs remains one of my all-time favorite books, and it’s been fascinating to watch Coupland evolve as an artist since his 90’s release of Generation X. His analysis of pop culture is astounding, so who wouldn’t want to hear his opinions on art, art museums, and artists? I would. He also loves Lego. And so do I.

Patrick Smith: pilot, author and contributor to salon.com. I love planes, airports and flying. His book, Ask the Pilot is packed with interesting facts, humor and opinions on airline liveries and logos. He’s traveled all over the world – he must have visited some museums, right? Although, he recently visited 15 countries in 21 days, traveling 45,000 miles without stepping foot outside. Well, he might be able to tell us how to get that ‘free’ first class upgrade. Who’s going to argue with that?

Jillian Lewis: Alright, I’m busted. I watch Project Runway and I’m rooting for Jillian. She’s talented, stylish, articulate, to-the-point and not afraid to express her opinion. Sounds like a blogger to me, but can she take Bryant Park? My thoughts might also be influenced by an upcoming fashion exhibition, Breaking the Mode, and the site that just launched. And hey, it wouldn’t be an IMA blog post without a Facebook reference – so join the Jillian Fan Club here.

I could keep going here, but as I have in the past, I’m going to the leave door wide open for you to comment…