By Team IAnD
Photography: Thijs Wolzak; courtesy
Kossman.dejong
Read Time: 2 mins
 |
| . |
Nature and
culture coalesce in theatrical discovery and extraordinary artistic display of
feathers; touching the psyche at a deeper level, for those who seek...
How many of you
remember Ginger Roger’s ostrich-feather dress in the song ‘Cheek-to-cheek’ in
the 1935 cult film, Top Hat?! Or the European fashionistas of early 1980’s with
their headgear dressed in exquisite plumage?? Well, the National Museum of
Ethnology in Leiden, Netherlands that is predominantly about people, is hosting
‘The World of Feathers’, where plumage from all over the world is being exhibited,
drawing aesthetically culled parallels to influence and inform behavioural
types and cultural innuendoes.
 |
| . |
Designed by
exhibition maestros, Kossmann.dejong, the exhibition is curated as a woven multi-layered
narrative with the thematic traversing from room-to-room, highlighting topics
such as ‘cultural exchange’, ‘imposing feathers’, ‘feathers of seduction’ and
‘feathers and power’; with dedicated theatrical scenography creating a
distinctive all-consuming aura for the visitors.
 |
| . |
 |
| . |
With fascination
for nature being the key undercurrent in the exhibition, light, sound and media
designers generate a holistic experience in which all senses are stimulated.
Scenarios vary from a fashion studio, where visitors look through
the seamstress’s magnifying glass, so to speak, to actually study feather
working techniques; to a true ‘behind-the-bars’ tableau that has visitors
ensconced in an enormous cage with story boxes, animations, artefacts, light,
text and illustrations depicting how humans exploit birds and feathers; whilst
the birds are outside the cages; or a celebration of contemporary haute couture
feather-art with rhythmical light and sound effects and the like.
 |
| . |
 |
| . |
Enthralling
children and adults alike, these intriguing visual spectacles metaphorically
reference the relationship of man and his environment. Playfully,
light-heartedly drawing on the insights, the designers weave a striking tale –
relatable without being preachy.
 |
| . |
The show-stopper is none other than Marilyn Monroe covered in just a couple of
feathers in a burlesque boudoir of saturated reds greeting people at the
entrance to ‘feathers of seduction’! The clandestine feeling is enhanced as the
tableau comprises tiny peepholes in a dramatically large padded wall, granting visual
access to a private performance of strange birds and seductive feathers in
sultry music surrounds.
Venue: National
Museum of World cultures, Museum of Ethnology Leiden (NL)
Area: 800 sq. m.
Status: Temporary
Dates: Oct. 14,
2016 – March 5, 2017
No comments :
Post a Comment