SOFT? Tactile Dialogues. MOMU.

https://vimeo.com/281799342

MOMU : Soft? Tactile Dialogues

Its the first time MOMU has ever focused an exhibition solely on textiles and stepped away from fashion. The exhibition Soft? Tactile Dialogues, is about the freedom with which artists move between various media, about unexpected tactile application, about tactility and aversion, and about the textures and the skin of sculptures.

Some of the works presented are taken from their own collection by Belgian Textile artists from the 60’s and 70’s, along with works from more contemporary artists who use textiles as a form of free expression. In the 60’s and 70’s many feminist, post-minimalist and fibre artists found their way into a world of textiles. Attracted by the endless possibilities, structural potential and aesthetic freedom of this ‘soft’ material. Because of the sexist association of textiles with ‘womens work’ or ‘decoration’, female artists use it to denounce the balance of power that remains in the art world.

The intuitive or militant use of textiles, a material associated mainly with industry and commerce, put added pressure on the ‘stark’ distinction between fine arts and applied arts. The more contemporary works and younger artists express themselves freely and unapologetically through textiles, often combining different processes and media. This sense of free expression comes from the continual efforts from the first generation, whose efforts were crucial for textiles to become an accepted medium in contemporary art. The ever changing perception of art also contributed to this progression, art criticism moved on from simply acknowledging the quality of an artwork through the use of style and medium, to artistic intention.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the exhibition in Antwerp in person, however above are three pieces shown at MOMU that I found exciting, interesting and relevant to my own project.

The first is for the use of fabric choice, colour and natural lighting. I feel peaceful looking at this piece, there seems so much to see through the use of light fabric and layering, it creates illusions but the colour palette is so calming I could imagine standing observing this art for a long time. The second is for the monster like characteristics and the use of contrasting surface textures. The shine of the silk is so contrasting to the ruffles of yarn which we are to believe is the monsters hair. The bright colours and warped monster faces make it captivating. The last I like for the illustrative prints and the characteristics designed. It conveys different characters and creates different emotions in every person looking at it.