A few months ago I wrote a post on data entry and clean-up. While to some, it may first seem uneventful- the glow of the computer screen, clacking keys, cream colored files.

It is really quite exciting; allow me to share just a few reasons why.

While researching the American textile collection, I delighted in studying our 1930s and 1940s textiles, a few of which were designed and produced as part of the Milwaukee WPA Handicraft project. This was a highly successful WPA venture that provided work for under-skilled people. The project engaged workers in a multitude of handcraft practices, instructed by designer- technicians drawn from graduates of the Milwaukee State Teachers College art department.

In the IMA’s collection, we have two examples of textiles that were produced as the result of this highly successful project; both designed by Florence Kawa.

The Reapers, Florence Kawa (39.41)

The Workers, Florence Kawa (39.42)

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Art

Miller House (via IMA Photography Department)

IMA TV was there as Bradley Brooks, IMA’s Director of Historic Resources, first opened a box of textiles and design plans belonging to Alexander Girard, interior designer for Miller House in Columbus, IN.

Here’s a little background on Miller House:

The IMA recently acquired the landmark Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana. One of the country’s most highly regarded examples of mid-century Modernist residences, the Miller House was designed by Eero Saarinen, with interiors by Alexander Girard, and landscape design by Daniel Urban Kiley. Read more about it (and see some amazing images) here.

Pay close attention to facial expressions in this video, and you’ll just see how significant this seemingly small discovery is:

Filed under: Current Events, IMA TV, New Media

Fashion often finds inspiration in nature as illustrated by these designs created from actual plant material.

image from trendhunter.com

image from trendhunter.com

More often however designers are only inspired by plants when they are creating fabric for their work. That fact is the focus for the exhibition Fashion in Bloom put together by Niloo Imami-Paydar, IMA’s Curator of Textile and Fashion Arts. The exhibition opens Saturday April 4 and runs through January 30, 2010. The items in this exhibition go all the way back to the 1700’s, but the four I’m blogging about are from the late 1950’s to the 70’s. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Horticulture, Local