ART TO WEAR: Boccioni.

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space by artfullyawear featuring zip dresses

Rag & Bone zip dress, $365 / Rebecca Taylor / Black handbag

My friend Drew of The Museum of Peripheral Art sent me a picture of a similar pair of Jimmy Choo wedges, pointing out their affinity to this Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916) sculpture, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space. Inspired by his insight, I created a very wearable outfit using the Italian Futurist's sculpture as a starting point.

BRONZE SHOE

Esteban Blanco, Paris
I came across an image of this bronze sculpture, Paris, by Esteban Blanco, and was fascinated by the detail the artist was able to achieve in bronze.  This series of works was inspired by the book Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, and continue with the (surprising) shoe sculpture theme delineated here.   Born in Cuba and educated in New York City, Blanco now lives and works in Miami.

Image from estebanblanco.com

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

How many dawns, chill from his rippling rest 

The seagull's wings shall dip and pivot him, 

Shedding white rings of tumult, building high 

Over the chained bay waters Liberty-- 

Then, with inviolate curve, forsake our eyes 

As apparitional as sails that cross 

Some page of figures to be filed away; 

--Till elevators drop us from our day . . . 

I think of cinemas, panoramic sleights 

With multitudes bent toward some flashing scene 

Never disclosed, but hastened to again, 

Foretold to other eyes on the same screen; 

And Thee, across the harbor, silver-paced 

As though the sun took step of thee, yet left 

Some motion ever unspent in thy stride,-- 

Implicitly thy freedom staying thee! 

--from To Brooklyn Bridge, by Hart Crane

Ever since I moved to Brooklyn last year, I've been fascinated by the history and symbolism of the Brooklyn Bridge, represented in these vintage photos.  It's so poignant to see images of landmarks that have changed little surrounded by things, such as fashion of the passersby and the skyline, that have changed drastically over the years.

For this summer's Jazz Age Lawn Party, I was inspired by the vintage photographs of the Brooklyn Bridge, and had my friend shoot my 1920s-inspired outfit on the Promenade.

Beaded dress: Diane von Furstenberg

Duotone Mary Janes: Tommy Hilfiger

Metal mesh handbag: vintage, via Buffalo Exchange in Chelsea

Hat: Scala Collezioni (buy here)
Photos by Meri Feir

Will you be attending the Jazz Age Lawn Party on August 17 or 18?  I would love to see you there in all your 1920s finery!

ARTFULLY AWEAR ON VIMEO

If you haven't yet seen my mini interview, in which I discuss the inception of Artfully Awear, my project with Pantone, and my goals for the site, check it out on Vimeo!

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HADIEH SHAFIE

Hadieh Shafie, Magenta (Ketab Series), 2012

I'm fascinated by the hand-dyed, rolled paper works of Hadieh Shafie (1969-), an Iranian artist who studied at Pratt.  Reminiscent of ancient scrolls, and inspired by Abstract Expressionism, the works resound on multiple levels.  When a friend sent me the above image of myself, which was enhanced using the iPhone app Percolator, I was delighted by it's affinity to the mesmerizing sculptures.

[Shafie image from artsy.net; image of me by Brett McKenzie.]

OUT OF OFFICE: Maine.

Alex Katz, Ada Seated, 1963

I'm currently on vacation in the favored painting location of figurative artist Alex Katz: Maine.  The landscape here is beautiful and I'm taking cues from Katz's wife and muse, Ada, featured in many of his paintings.  I love the simple ensemble pictured here, and the slower pace of life here in Maine.  I'll be back next week with new Art to Wear and outfit posts.

Happy Fourth of July!

Image via.

ART TO WEAR: Unbuttoning the Met.

Ji Eon Kang, Dress, 1997

It's a sad day for collectors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's iconic metal admission tags, which have been discontinued.  In memory of the colorful pins, here is a look at Ji Eon Kang's dress made of the ubiquitous mini medallions, a class project-turned-memoriam. The pins have been described as "a kind of coin minted expressly for entry into the museum" and represent, to many, the identity of the Met and the cultural identity of New York City.

 How Shocking: Met Unbuttons.

Via.