The “Costumes & Contemplation. On Religion” exhibition explores the relationship of the individual to transcendent reality, narrating stories of faith and religious encounters that influence designers’ perspectives and creations. The aim is to showcase diverse spiritual experiences through specially crafted objects, reflecting personal connections with the sacred and profane. Featuring contributions from fashion design educators across Poland, Lithuania, and Slovenia, representing the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, the Academy of Fine Arts in Vilnius and the University of Maribor.
Nineteen international artists from three countries contributed to the exhibition, including Sonja Šterman from the University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia, who presented her creation entitled “The Light”. The silhouette of the clothes, the layering of the individual pieces, the soft transitions of the colour tones, the accessories of the textile heritage and the choice of silk fabrics bring on a symbolic level, personal stories of reflection on the meaning of life experience, on the transition from transcendental and personal reality.
Clothing symbolises the wholeness of our life, which flows through the generations in gentle shades. It passes through different forms. It carries the transcendental records of lineages that create a legacy of memories. Artisan works representing the textile heritage of past generations impart knowledge and skills, creating a tapestry of memories that influence the outer shell of our lives.
The outer silhouette of the garment resembles the silhouette of a cocoon that represents the protection of our inner world. Just as a silkworm creates a cocoon, we create our own reality. Layer by layer, we discover inner worlds and, through our own limitations, create a boundary between the outer and inner worlds, between the visible and the invisible, between what we understand, what we feel, and what remains a challenge for further research. At the same time, we allow ourselves to be guided by trust in ourselves, in unity and in the power of a higher force. With sincerity and love, we create a shield that protects the fragile body like a cocoon. The natural colours of the cocoons symbolise the delicacy and patina of time, reflecting memories and at the same time reminding us of the relativity of time.
The airy lace of quilted silk threads forms the outer shape of the cocoon and symbolises the connection between people, the bond with their ancestors and the textile heritage that is preserved through the desire to create, to belong, to give, to preserve, to trust, to pass on goodness and peace to the next generations. It comes from within and is refined through the layers of transitions between lives.
Our essence is like the thread of a silk cocoon that has travelled a long path of evolution, from life to death and rebirth in a beautiful thread that rises and shines in the light, reflecting delicate colours. Even when there is no light, it preserves the peace of the inner worlds and the value it has while waiting for the return of the light.
The noble silk thread symbolises a millennial tradition that carries the life and transformation of the silkworm, the journey from birth to death, the silk path from Asia to Europe, the devoted preservation from generation to generation. It supports the efforts of the Aracne project, which preserves the cultural route of silk through Europe and the renaissance of silk.
Opening and closing dates, location, and geographic details.
- Event: Exhibition: Costumes & contemplation. On religion.
- Opening and clothing dates: Opening: March 14, 2024, at 18:00 / Closing: April 14, 2024
- Location: Central Textile Museum in Łódź / street Piotrkowska 282, Łódź, Poland
- Fashion designer featured in exhibition: Alevtina Ščepanova, Edita Sabockytė Skudienė, Jolanta Talaikytė, Dovilė Gudačiauskaitė, Rūta Kvaščevičiūtė, Justina Semčenkaitė, Justė Tarvydienė, Renata Maldutienė, Sonja Šterman, Katarzyna Wróblewska, Adrianna Grudzińska-Pham, Michał Szulc, Dorota Salska, Magdalena Samborska, Dorota Sak, Anna Kuźmitowicz, Maria Wiatrowska, Sylwia Romecka-Dymek
- Curators: Renata Maldutienė, Agnetė Voverė, Michał Szulc
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Consultant: Magdalena Gonera