You say out of ordinary, I say extra-ordinary

The Golden Age of Couture exhibition at the V&A should have inspired me to no end but with the pushing and shoving I experienced, the dim lighting and over crowding, I got minimal joy out of it even if it was one of those things that all London fashion-enthusiasts should have gone to (it’s now ended).  Instead, in a more comfortable, roomier space, I found myself fasinated by the work of Anne Wilson as part of the Out of Ordinary: Spectacular Craft exhibition, bringing together the works of 8 contemporary artists who value craft above all else.  Chicago-based artist Anne Wilson and her team of beavers spent a week meticulously constructing a topography out of black lace, crocheted thread and netting with absolutely fine detail.  From afar, you fail to see the precise-ness of it all but up close, your mind boggles as you get to grips how bijoux everything is.  It’s a map of sorts but of what, we aren’t sure and I don’t think it’s meant to depict a reality.  Instead, we are asked to concentrate on the crafted accuracy of every section and on the way the materials have been manipulated to such an intense degree.  If going to the V&A isn’t an option, then I’d heavily recommend walking through ‘Topologies’ online with many detailed images of all the sections of the topography.

As I got a good deal of time to study the piece (as opposed to being jerked around and shuffled like cattle through the Golden Age of Couture…), I began to imagine (and I doubt this was the intention of the artist for viewers to do so…) this level of intricacy on a simple white sheath dress.  A blank canvas of a dress that is prepared to take on delicate black lace cutouts, wispy black thread and netting grid effects.  I want people to not see the full effect of the detailing until up close and likewise, inspire some sort of fascination.  Alas, I’m not so nimble fingered as to even attempt an Anne Wilson fashion homage with my coarse skills.  However, for now I’ll take black lace pieces cut with care and see how scattering them over a skirt works out…