The stated purpose of the design competition that formed the basis of the exhibit is to
"get art off the walls and onto the body."The competition's requirement was that the artwork outfit be wearable by a model, not just appear in a sketch or on a mannequin.
The variety of materials used is mind-boggling--from standard leather to milk-carton-type plastic to re-purposed handcuffs.
Here are a few of the photos I took during my visit and the cherita they inspired.
smell of well-oiled leather
sufficient to alert
her senses
her skin still
tingles even though
he is gone
near dawn
field mice feast on rice
between the cobblestones
his new mother-in-law
tallies up the cash
in their wedding cards
car show & swap meet
the 70-year-olds
around 50s models
grinning with each
story dredged up
from god-knows-where
after surgery
an appointment
at the lingerie shop
the weathered skin
of the woman who
fits the bras
Valentine's Day
she fingers
a rose quartz talisman
her mailbox empty
except for the junk mail
...same as every day
Photos and cherita © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
For those who don't know the terms "ekphrasis" and "cherita," ekphrasis is art about art. Cherita is a small poem with 3 stanzas of 1, 2, 3 lines, and tells a story.
If you're in the Boston area, please be aware that the "WOW® World of WearableArt™" ends on Sunday, June 11.
Buffy's Blog will be hosting the Round-Up this week. See you there!
"after surgery" = poignant.
ReplyDeleteThis art competition takes creativity to a whole new level!
Amazing imaginations at work!
DeleteOh, that lizard, wow! I will share this with my daughter who is at our Museum of Modern Art. I imagine she'll love it, Diane. You're inspiring me to try the cherita again. I love each one.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she's heard of it. The competition is more than 25 years old!
DeleteTry your hand at the cherita. It's a different kind of challenge with it's storytelling aspect.
Love the unexpected turns at the ends of these (the m.i.l. tallying up cash made me laugh.)
ReplyDeleteI'm always happy when something of mine makes a person laugh!
DeleteWhat wild and wacky exhibits! Like the humor and surprise in your responses.
ReplyDeleteWild and wacky it is! Here's a idea of how people can move in such outfits! https://youtu.be/vmJsWq4aQV8
DeleteWow, what an experience! I love it when creative boundaries are pushed, and inspiration breaks outside of the box!
ReplyDeleteDepending upon the artist, a box just might be the inspiration!
DeleteAll of these are so fun!The seventy year olds at the swap meet and the weathered skin of the woman fitting bras. You are sharp-funny. My favorite! The photos are incredible. Some of those outfits....well, glad I don't have to wear them!
ReplyDeleteThe photos show what a good job the PEM does at display and lighting!
DeleteThese are such wonderful expressions of the weird lives inside this art form. The poems help me relate to the artwork in a new way.
ReplyDeleteThat's the beauty of ekphrasis--changing the way the viewer relates!
DeleteWow. How would you sit down? These may enter my dreams now.
ReplyDeleteNever mind sitting down, how does one get into these outfits?
DeleteDiane, you always hold my interest as your create. These poems are creative, clever, and funny, especially Dawn and the alligator poems. Thanks for introducing me to the cherita. Maybe someday I will try it and then you can give me pointers after I place a draft on the page.
ReplyDeleteCherita is a new form for me, so I'm a learner myself. I wouldn't think of trying to provide pointers.
DeleteThat's what I love about PEM. They always have interesting, and sometimes quirky, exhibits. You never know what you are going to find...and enjoy! We didn't make it to WOW and I think it just closed. :-( -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't close until next Sunday, the 11th!
DeleteJudging by the exhibit's title, I would have expected something fashion related... this is SO much better! And in each case, your poem brought a new dimension. If any one of these photos was given as a prompt in a writing workshop, imagine how wonderfully varied the stories might be!
ReplyDeleteThat might be a fun writing workshop! I almost always use a visual to get to the words.
DeleteWOW! What incredible photos of the art--and I love the cheritas you wrote in response. The combination has my mind spinning in all directions.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! The wearable art is so striking and your poems are so inventive.
ReplyDeleteLoving that little driving outfit! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you've definitely popped 'cheritas' on my list of poems to try! You do them all so well! But that lizard... and the swap meet. #faves
Some amazing art people are 'wearing'...and so inspirational! You've been busy...I especially liked the P.O.V. of 'dawn.'
ReplyDelete