Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between

The Arrival

Rei Kawakubo's exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art includes categories like Then/Now, Model/Multiple, and Self/Other.

According to Andrew Bolton, Rei Kawakubo loves a puzzle. In an interview, she once compared her work to Zen koans—the unsolvable riddles Buddhist teachers present to their students. “You’re not meant to decipher koans,” Bolton explains. “The idea is that you finally realize they’re nonsensical and you realize the limitations of your intellect. Then you free your mind, and by freeing your mind, you get to another point.” He pauses. “It’s amazing. And that’s basically what Rei’s work is about, Zen koans.”

Charles James

POIRET: KING OF FASHION

Poiret: King of Fashion

at the Metropolitan Museum May 9-August 5, 2007

"Press Preview 1"- Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

The set up involved an incredible birdcage
with thousands of perfectly red, fragrant roses.

"Press Preview 2"- Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

"Press Preview 3" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker
The mannequins were based on sculptures by Brancusi.

"Press Preview 4" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker
Evening dress worn by Denise Poiret.

"Press Preview 5" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker
Nightdresses worn by Denise Poiret, ca. 1920

"Press Preview 6" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker
'Bouclier' Day Dress 1925

"Press Preview 7" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

Poiret draping fabric on a mannequin.


"Press Preview 8" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

"Press Preview 9" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

"Press Preview 10" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

"Press Preview 11" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker

"Press Preview 12" Copyright 2007 Astrid Brucker
Opera Coat

Most of these items were sold to the Metropolitan Museum
by Poiret's granddaughter in Paris.

See: http://www.metmuseum.org/special/index.asp