Omega Workshop: An Experiment in Counter-Fashion
January 26 – March 10, 2018
Curated by Rational Dress Society
Carmen Argote
Elaine Byrne
Nick Cave
Sky Cubacub
Frau Fiber
friends of light
Abigail Glaum-Lathbury
Ruby Hoette
Project KOVR
Fawn Krieger
Jennifer Moon
Marloes ten Bhömer
Marisa Williamson
Andrea Zittel
Since the birth of fashion in the 19th century, counter-fashion—the practice of dressing to signal political solidarity—has been a site for critical intervention and utopian experimentation amongst activists, artists, and designers. Fashion is often mobilized to effect political change in moments of unrest. Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, continues this tradition, suggesting clothing for “end times.” In Omega Workshop, our clothes are reconceived as an act of resistance in dark times—a collective reimagining of our relationship to dress.
For Omega Workshop, the members of the Rational Dress Society bring together artists, designers and activists who mobilize the language of clothing to critique the existing fashion system and offer alternatives. The exhibition will function as an archive and a laboratory, intended both as a tool to spur the production of future counter-fashion, and a resource for artists and designers interested in pursuing alternative dress. The run of Omega Workshop coincides with New York Fashion Week, offering a necessary counterpoint to the consumer-driven spectacle of the fast fashion in New York’s historical (and diminishing) Garment District.
EVENTS
Kamiko / Japanese Paper Clothes with Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran
2/3/18, 12 - 3 pm
Register here
Call to Sew a Transformational Soviet Hippie Poncho! with Frau Fiber
2/4/18, 12 - 5 pm
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Copyright, Trademark and Sumptuary Law Panel Discussion
2/7/18, 6 - 8 pm
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Fashion and Democracy Conversation
2/8/18, 6 - 9 pm
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Make-your-own-JUMPSUIT with the Rational Dress Society
2/10 - 2/11/18, 10 am - 4 pm
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Unpick the Fashion System / Collage a Collection with Ruby Hoette
2/16/18, 10 am - 4 pm
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Worker Co-operative Principles and Pricing Structures with friends of light
2/17/18, 12 - 4 pm
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The History, Anatomy and Construction of a Pocket with Michaela Hansen
3/3/18, 12 - 3 pm
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Closing reception with performance by Rebirth Garments
3/9/18, 6 – 9 pm
Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, 2015 -2018, Assorted garments with spandex, stretch mesh, powernet vinyl. Courtesy of the artist.
Omega Workshop is sponsored by The Garment District Alliance, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and GESSO.
From left to right:
Nick Cave, Coat with Adaptive Embellishment, 2009. Cotton shirts, buttons, mesh screen, plastic tags. Dimensions variable.
Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Genuine Unauthorized Clothing Clone Institute (G.U.C.C.I), 2017. Digitally printed cotton, 35 x 27 inches.
Marisa Williamson, Black Dress / Silhouette II, 2016. Textile and one photographic print. Dress: 51 x 48 inches; print: 16 x 16 inches.
Elaine Byrne, Three shillings four pence, 2018. Traditional hand dyed linen and ink. Dimensions variable.
Elaine Byrne, Three shillings four pence, 2018. Traditional hand dyed linen and ink. Dimensions variable.
Elaine Byrne, Three shillings four pence, 2018. Traditional hand dyed linen and ink. Dimensions variable.
Marisa Williamson, Black Dress / Silhouette II, 2016. Textile and one photographic print. Dress: 51 x 48 inches; print: 16 x 16 inches.
Left:
Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Genuine Unauthorized Clothing Clone Institute (G.U.C.C.I), 2017. Digitally printed cotton, 35 x 27 inches.
Right:
Marisa Williamson, Black Dress / Silhouette II, 2016. Textile and one photographic print. Dress: 51 x 48 inches; print: 16 x 16 inches
From left to right:
Project KOVR, Anti-surveillance Coat, 2016. Nickel, copper, and polyester. 35 x 19 inches.
Nick Cave, Coat with Adaptive Embellishment, 2009. Cotton shirts, buttons, mesh screen, plastic tags. Dimensions variable.
Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Genuine Unauthorized Clothing Clone Institute (G.U.C.C.I), 2017. Digitally printed cotton, 35 x 27 inches.
Marisa Williamson, Black Dress / Silhouette II, 2016. Textile and one photographic print. Dress: 51 x 48 inches; print: 16 x 16 inches
Left: Project KOVR, Anti-surveillance Coat, 2016. Nickel, copper, and polyester. 35 x 19 inches.
Right: Nick Cave, Coat with Adaptive Embellishment, 2009. Cotton shirts, buttons, mesh screen, plastic tags. Dimensions variable.
Nick Cave, Coat with Adaptive Embellishment, 2009. Cotton shirts, buttons, mesh screen, plastic tags. Dimensions variable.
Left: Ruby Hoette, Conversation Pieces, 2018. Assorted garments: wrap dress (sleeves detached) and knit top; scarves, digitally printed wool and felting wool; top and dissected sleeves. Dimensions variable.
friends of light, Jacket, with light series, 2016. Wool, silk, and video.
friends of light, Jacket, with light series, 2016. Wool, silk, and video.
Ruby Hoette, Conversation Pieces, 2018. Assorted garments: wrap dress (sleeves detached) and knit top; scarves, digitally printed wool and felting wool; top and dissected sleeves. Dimensions variable.
Ruby Hoette, Conversation Pieces, 2018. Assorted garments: wrap dress (sleeves detached) and knit top; scarves, digitally printed wool and felting wool; top and dissected sleeves. Dimensions variable.
Front: Ruby Hoette, Conversation Pieces, 2018. Assorted garments: wrap dress (sleeves detached) and knit top; scarves, digitally printed wool and felting wool; top and dissected sleeves. Dimensions variable.
Frau Fiber, Transformational Soviet Hippie Poncho Knockoff, 2017. Soviet Hippie Poncho, 16 mm and Super 8 film transferred to video.
Front left:
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Synthetic suit fabric and suspenders. 50 x 44 inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Synthetic suit fabric and suspenders. 49 ½ x 44 ½ inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Rayon satin and leather. 43 ¾ x 40 ½ inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Rayon satin and leather. 43 ¾ x 40 ½ inches.
Back left:
Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, 2015 - 2018. Assorted garments with spandex, stretch mesh, powernet vinyl. Dimensions variable.
Right:
Carmen Argote, Place on Fold, 2017. Acrylic on muslin fabric, paper, and hangers. Dimensions variable.
Carmen Argote, Place on Fold, 2017. Acrylic on muslin fabric, paper, and hangers. Dimensions variable.
Carmen Argote, Place on Fold, 2017. Acrylic on muslin fabric, paper, and hangers. Dimensions variable.
Carmen Argote, Place on Fold, 2017. Acrylic on muslin fabric, paper, and hangers. Dimensions variable.
Carmen Argote, Place on Fold, 2017. Acrylic on muslin fabric, paper, and hangers. Dimensions variable.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Synthetic suit fabric and suspenders. 50 x 44 inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Synthetic suit fabric and suspenders. 49 ½ x 44 ½ inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Rayon satin and leather. 43 ¾ x 40 ½ inches.
Andrea Zittel, Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Personal Panel Uniform, 1994. Rayon satin and leather. 43 ¾ x 40 ½ inches.
Jennifer Moon, The Mooniform, 2018. Laser print., 40 x 28 inches
Back: Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, 2015 - 2018. Assorted garments with spandex, stretch mesh, powernet vinyl. Dimensions variable.
Front:
Fawn Krieger, OUTFIT, 2016 – 2017. Cotton duck, thread, button, and polyester tag. 68 x 31 x 8 inches.
Left: Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, 2015 - 2018. Assorted garments with spandex, stretch mesh, powernet vinyl. Dimensions variable.
Right: Fawn Krieger, OUTFIT, 2016 – 2017. Cotton duck, thread, button, and polyester tag. 68 x 31 x 8 inches.
Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, 2015 - 2018. Assorted garments with spandex, stretch mesh, powernet vinyl. Dimensions variable.
Fawn Krieger, OUTFIT, 2016 – 2017. Cotton duck, thread, button, and polyester tag. 68 x 31 x 8 inches.
Marloes ten Bhömer, A Measurable Factor Sets the Conditions of its Operation, 2013. Loaned flash drive with videos.
Marloes ten Bhömer, A Measurable Factor Sets the Conditions of its Operation, 2013
Marloes ten Bhömer, White Prototypes, 2013. Rapid-prototyped nylon and plastics. Dimension variable
Marloes ten Bhömer, A Measurable Factor Sets the Conditions of its Operation, 2013. Loaned flash drive with videos.
Marloes ten Bhömer, A Measurable Factor Sets the Conditions of its Operation, 2013. Loaned flash drive with videos.
Marloes ten Bhömer, A Measurable Factor Sets the Conditions of its Operation, 2013. Loaned flash drive with videos.