Exhibition Press Information»


Young Brides, Old Treasures:
Macedonian Embroidered Dress
Opens in the Cotsen Gallery Saturday October 1, 2011
closes January 6, 2013
Until the mid-twentieth century, Macedonian women wove, embroidered, and wore magnificent ensembles of dress that indicated to a knowing eye what village and region they came from and where they were in the cycle of life. From puberty through betrothal, marriage, child bearing, and old age, dress changed to reflect status change. Historic ensembles, no longer made but preserved in the museum, also illustrate the tumultuous political history of the region; pan-Slavic, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences can be seen in embroidered motifs, materials, garments, and jewelry. The outstanding collection the Museum has dates primarily from 1890 to 1920 with some later pieces from the 1950s. On display will be 27 mannequins in multi-layered ensembles as well as individual garments and pieces of jewelry belonging to Museum of International Folk Art; the Collection was made completed with a recent, large donation from the Macedonian Arts Council» so that it is today the largest and most comprehensive museum collection in the United States. The exhibition will accompanied by a catalog of the same name, and closes January 6, 2013. (Photo: Detail, Wedding dress. Miyak, Smilevo, Demir Hisar municipality, c. 1900. Wool, cotton, silk, metallic thread, metal, glass beads, plastic. The Ronald Wixman/Steven Glaser Collection. Photography by Addison Doty.)

The exhibition Material World: Textiles & Dress from the Collection was accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue authored by exhibition curator Bobbie Sumberg. The catalog divides the textile and costume collection into two categories, textiles and dress, and into several subcategories: Textiles for the bed; for the dwelling; for the church, temple, or ceremony; and, decorative pieces such as samplers. Dress is divided into headwear, outerwear, footwear, accessories, ceremonial, and complete ensembles. Textiles Collection of the Museum of International Folk Art. Call 505 992-2611 to order or
shop on-line at worldfolkart.org»



Lloyd's Treasure Chest
This open storage facility provides the opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes museum activities and gain insight into aspects of preservation and conservation relating to the diverse art works. A special display highlighting diverse Winter and early spring celebrations such as Valentines Day, Saint Patricks Day, Carnaval, Passover, Easter and more!

See selections the Neutrogena Collection»

Explore New Mexico Textile Traditions»

More Textile Resources On-line»

PAST EXHIBITIONS FEATURING THE NEUTROGENA COLLECTION

The inaugural exhibition, The Extraordinary in the Ordinary, was co-curated by donor Lloyd Cotsen and independent curator Mary Hunt Kahlenberg. The exhibition and new wing opened in August 1998. A catalogue on the collection, The Extraordinary in the Ordinary has been published by Harry N. Abrams Inc. Essays focus on various aspects of world traditions in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with topics ranging from ceremonial cloths of the Congo, to court robes of China, and to Venetian gondola prows. (Photograph right by Kitty Leaken, installation of The Extraordinary in the Ordinary)

The second exhibition drawn from the collection opened in the Summer of 2000. Curiouser and Curiouser:
A Walk Through The Looking-Glass presents objects in a setting inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The Curator and Exhibition Designer collaborated to display objects in ways that challenged visitor's perceptions. For example, one room is a library of giant-sized books (photograph Curiouser & Curiouser exhibition by Paul Smutko, right) to invite visitors to leaf through textile "books". Innovative theatrical lighting and other techniques delighted children, and the young at heart. Museum educators collaborated with the Santa Fe Public Library in presenting summer reading programs, Read 'Round The World (Summer 2000) and Once Upon A Planet (Summer 2001). School age students participating in the program had art and writing workshops at the museum and at the libraries. The Summer Reading program was highlighted with Museum program with play & puppet performances, all ages art activities, and readings by the participants themselves. The exhibition closed March 30, 2002.

The third exhibition drawn exclusively from the collection was Gathering Threads: The Heart of the Neutrogena Collection. The exhibition showcased the variety and range of human ingenuity and ability, which extends across cultures and time, all within the medium of textiles. Textiles have the ability to connect us- they are the common ground upon which we all stand (or sleep under, or wrap ourselves in). When these connections become visible, we can begin to understand how we are all part of the global community, linked by a common thread.