WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The scope of art. Over millennia, designs represented in paintings, ceramics, sculpture, woodworking and the like have brought to bear our modern ideas that define creativity within this medium. Yet, for some, the nature of art is now being revealed via a new channel–fashion. Debated as to whether it can even be considered as true art, one place has dedicated itself to proving critics wrong and introducing new generations to the beauty being discovered in one of the largest commercial industries worldwide and their unique, avant-garde, strikingly awe-inspiring creations–New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and its Costume Institute’s curator, Andrew Bolton. Seeing the interest garnered during an exhibition of controversial British fashion icon Alexander McQueen’s fashions in 2010, Bolton seeks to create a fantastical vision for the museum’s 2015 gala.
Collaborating with museum trustee and American “Vogue” editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the birth of “China: Through The Looking Glass” is realized. Seeking to present a history of Chinese culture, tradition, and entering into the present age via Chinese-inspired Western fashions, it is a daunting, expensive, and heavily difficult proposition to convince both fellow museum curators and upper executives, as well as the Chinese themselves, to allow this to be made real. Through the additional assistance of creative director Baz Luhrmann, artistic director Kar-Wai Wong, and museum director Thomas Campbell among others, Bolton and Wintour launch themselves full bore into the inner workings of what is to becomes the largest event of its kind ever attempted, utilizing fashion as the primary focus and art form displayed, laboring over every single detail meticulously, delivering a deconstruction of sterotypes, and defying conventions long held as immovable.
Next, my Mind:
Director/producer Andrew Rossi’s wonderfully in depth, quietly intense, and sharply focused documentary swiftly moves the viewer through the exclusive, intimate, and time-pressured existence that was the creation of the absolute visual masterpiece that was unveiled to a privileged few on May 4th, 2015 before opening to the general public. Utilizing interviews with fashion industry magnates such as John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and China’s Guo Pei accompanied by an insider’s look at the completely incredible behind-the-scenes narrative of how such a massive undertaking is brought to life, No stone is left unturned under Rossi’s expert directing and deft cinematography. A feast for the eyes, the film is a tour-de-force of texture, context, artistic expression, and a dogged determination on the part of Bolton and Wintour to make this event happen.
When one takes into account all the moving parts associated with establishing the vision, gathering the myriad of resources necessary (both human and financial), finding common ground and purpose with all the creative minds tapped to be a part of it, arranging the guest list for the gala opening, and total costs involved, all while working with a foreign country to ensure no misrepresentation, unintended or not, comes about in the over 140 examples of fashion exhibited–this alone would drive away most any persons even thinking about an event of this scope. Yet, we watch in awe as everything comes together, pressures and all, and forms into one incredible night featuring fashion as the star, along with the celebrities, politicians, musicians, and designers who share the experience–the “Super Bowl of fashion events” as it is so mentioned here. With images, finishes, tones, exemplary craftsmanship, and wow-factor in full force, it all becomes a massive success.
In total, “China: Through The Looking Glass” is a excellent view of fashion from an entirely refreshing perspective, whisking us far from the runway, and instead immersing us within its vast appeal and amazing sense of not just style, but of sheer ocular wonder. If there was ever any question about fashion as a recognized art form, one only has to look at this breathtaking, spectacular, extraordinary spectacle that moves the mind, eyes, spirt, and soul. After all, isn’t that what art is supposed to do?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
