The third Arnhem Mode Biennale 2009 SHAPE was opened on 5th June in the late gothic Eusebius Church in the center of Arnhem.
Initiated by the city of Arnhem and Arnhem Academy of Art and Design, staged every two years, and concentrated on the art of fashion, the Arnhem Mode Biennale presents together international designers and upcoming talents. Exhibitions, fashion shows, films, workshops, performances, publications and symposia reveals how fashion is about more than just a garment.
This year exhibition's central theme is shape.
The biennale's Artistic Director Piet Paris divided the exhibition in three parts, just as there are three ways to come to the form: tradition, amazement and concept.
The focal point of the event is an exhibition in nine interlinked wooden pavilions set about five meters above the street level, the pedestrian route in the centre of Arnhem that leads past the City Hall to the Eusebius Church (The Curch was completely destroyed in The Second World War, rebuilt and plays important role in the life of people in Arnhem).
In these pavilions, the first part of the exhibition, Piet Paris focuses on three tendencies in the fashion designer's working process showing how designers can create shape: the traditional method (designers like Jil Sander, Christopher Kane, Lanvin, Calvin Klein, Rick Owens, Proenza Shoulder and Giambattista Valli who come to their designs on the traditional manner using moulange and hand-drawn patterns), the intangible method (designers such as Rodarte, Sandra Bucklund, Comme des Garcons, Thom Browne and Andrea Ayala design based on their personal experiential worlds), and the conceptual method (Hussein Chalayan, Maison Martin Margiela and Viktor&Rolf come to a form by proceeding from a concept).
The second part of the event is located in the Arnhem Eusebius Church and it is presenting exhibits specially made for the Arnhem Fashion Biennale. Designers such as Rick Owens, Boudicca, Cosmic Wonder Light Source and Klavers van Engelen present their work inspired by shape.
Stephen Jones presents his wonderful collection of hats inspired by flowers and glass houses typical for Holland.
Besides, the work of young designers occupies ten smaller pavilions.
The exhibition does not end there. Various art and culture institutions hook up with the Arnhem Mode Biennale. Major contribution to this event comes from Arnhem's municipal museums.
The Arnhem Historical Museum (former orphanage) presents the work of different designers and artists.
The museum stands the renowened doll's house by Lizzy Anshing, the well known painter and author of children's books. The artists' collective Suze May Sho drawn inspiration from Lizzy's doll's house as they transformed the museum into a life sized version of it.
Sandra Bucklund in Arnhem Historical Museum
One of the highlights of this biennale is for sure a dynamic exhibition of photographs done by photographer Carmen Freudenthal and stylist Elle Verhagen, presented in the Arnhem Museum of Modern Art (MMKA).
Exhibitions in various galleries and cultural centers, collaboration with the Introdans ballet company, Symposium: Re-Shaping Attitudes which calls for dialogue with designers focusing on present economic crisis, workshops for International students, films and documentaries – the event that will go on for the whole 30 days.
Doll in Spijkers and Spijkers
Three times a lady – popular biennale mascot since 2005. has been displayed in 15 shops in Arnhem.
The mascot has been realized in three dimensions and it is dressed in clothing from the clothes shop which is displaying it.
Restaurant "Dudok" – a good place to rest while visiting biennale in Arnhem.
It is completely decorated by the drawings of Piet Paris, illustrator and Artsitic Director of Arnhem Fashion Biennale.
This well organized event is definitely going to place Arnhem among other important fashion spots in the world.
So, do not miss the experience.
