Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers

Umi kara no okurimono: Air X (A Gift from the Sea: Air X), 2010

Whoa fiber mania! I saw this on TimeOut NY while looking for some birthday things to do for my special treasure hunter. The Japan Society is running an exhibit on the innovative things the Japanese are doing in the fiber and textile world. Check out the below video for what’s in store. I hope to go check this out myself! This is why I heart NY sometimes. New York is so great for the arts and culture. All the best music, arts, culture come through here at some point from the most obscure to the most mainstream.

“Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers showcases the dynamic field of Japanese fiber art. Organized as a juried show jointly presented by Japan Society and International Textile Network Japan in collaboration with Tama University Art Museum, the works on display range from ethereal silk and hemp to paper pulp and synthetic fiber using methods that are sometimes deeply traditional, but sometimes employ the latest weaving and dyeing technology along with an environmentally conscious “green” ethos. Moving far beyond traditional utility, Japan’s textile pioneers fuse past and present to create innovative, beautiful and sometimes challenging works of art.” —Japan Society

Akio Hamatani (1947-). W-Orbit, 2010. Rayon, indigo;
Diameter approx. 157 in.

WHERE: Japan Society, 333 E 47th St, Between 1st and 2nd Aves, (212) 832-1155
WHEN: Tues – Thu 11am–6pm; Fri 11am–9pm; Sat – Sun 11am–5pm; Sep 16 – Dec 18, 2011
HOW: Subway: E, M to Lexington Ave–53rd St; 6 to 51st St.
$12, seniors and students $10, children under 16 free
Docent led tours once a day at 12:30PM. Free with admission
Admission is free Friday nights from 6-9PM

Also notable, Daphne Guinness’ collection of clothes at the FIT Museum. I don’t like her particularly but her eclectic style is sometimes thought provoking. So could make for an interesting browse.

The Museum at FIT
7th Avenue @ 27th Street
212-217-4558
Tue–Fri 12–8pm, Sat 10–5pm
Sep 16, 2011- Jan 7, 2012
Admission is Free

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
Bard Graduate Center Gallery
18 W 86th St.
Between Central Park West and Columbus Ave
212-501-3023
Tue, Wed, Fri–Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 11am–8pm
$7, seniors and students $5, Thu 5–8pm free
Nov 15, 2011 – Apr 15, 2012