15.2 Curating Costume Exhibitions and Managing Collections
3 min read•july 24, 2024
Costume exhibitions are a fascinating blend of art, history, and storytelling. From conceptualization to opening day, the process involves meticulous planning, research, and design to bring garments to life for visitors.
Behind the scenes, collection management is crucial. Proper documentation, storage, and handling ensure these textile treasures are preserved for future generations. Digital curation opens up new possibilities, making exhibitions accessible worldwide.
Exhibition Development and Collection Management
Process of costume exhibition development
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ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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Talbot Rice gallery workshop feedback – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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Talbot Rice gallery workshop feedback – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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Top images from around the web for Process of costume exhibition development
ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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Talbot Rice gallery workshop feedback – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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ECA exhibition visit – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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Talbot Rice gallery workshop feedback – Jing-Ting Huang / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] View original
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- Conceptualization identifies exhibition theme focuses on target audience establishes goals and objectives
- Planning forms curatorial team develops timeline and budget selects exhibition space
- Research and content development conducts historical and contextual research selects key pieces for display writes exhibition narrative and labels
- Design and layout creates floor plan and traffic flow designs display cases and mannequins develops lighting plan
- Conservation and preparation assesses condition of costume pieces performs necessary conservation treatments prepares garments for display
- Installation sets up display infrastructure mounts costumes on mannequins or supports installs labels and interpretive materials
- Opening and evaluation conducts final walkthrough hosts opening event gathers visitor feedback for future improvements
Research for meaningful costume displays
- Historical accuracy ensures authentic representation of period and style provides context for understanding costume evolution (Victorian era, Roaring Twenties)
- Cultural significance highlights role of clothing in society explores connections between fashion and social movements (Hippie counterculture, Punk rebellion)
- Storytelling brings garments to life through narratives engages visitors on emotional level
- Educational value offers insights into craftsmanship and textile technology demonstrates changes in fashion over time (hand-stitching techniques, synthetic fabric innovations)
- Curatorial perspective presents unique viewpoint or theme challenges visitors to think critically about costume
- Visitor engagement encourages deeper exploration of exhibited pieces promotes dialogue and discussion among viewers
Best practices in costume collection management
- Accession process assigns unique identification numbers records and acquisition details
- Documentation photographs items from multiple angles creates detailed written descriptions notes measurements and construction details
- Cataloging uses standardized terminology and classification systems implements consistent data entry practices cross-references related items or collections
- Storage uses acid-free materials for boxing and padding controls temperature and humidity in storage areas implements pest management protocols
- Handling and preservation trains staff in proper handling techniques uses gloves when handling delicate items rotates displayed items to minimize light exposure
- Database management utilizes specialized collection management software regularly backs up digital records establishes access protocols for staff and researchers
Digital curation of costume exhibitions
- Challenges include capturing textile textures and details digitally ensuring accurate color representation maintaining digital infrastructure and data security addressing copyright and intellectual property issues
- Opportunities increase accessibility to collections enable virtual tours and 3D modeling of garments provide interactive features for enhanced visitor engagement allow collaboration with other institutions for virtual exhibitions
- Digital preservation creates high-resolution digital archives develops metadata standards for costume collections ensures long-term access to digital assets
- Online engagement strategies utilize social media platforms for promotion develop educational resources and online workshops create virtual curator talks and behind-the-scenes content
- Data analysis and visitor insights track online visitor behavior and preferences use analytics to inform future exhibition planning gather feedback through online surveys and comments
- Technological innovations explore augmented and virtual reality applications implement artificial intelligence for collection management develop mobile apps for enhanced visitor experiences
Key Terms to Review (18)
Accessioning: Accessioning is the process of formally adding items to a collection, ensuring they are documented and cataloged for future reference. This critical step in managing collections involves recording detailed information about each item, such as its provenance, condition, and any associated documentation, making it easier to track and manage objects over time.
Climate control: Climate control refers to the management of environmental conditions, particularly temperature, humidity, and light exposure, to preserve and protect historical costumes and textiles from deterioration. Effective climate control is essential in conservation efforts, as it helps maintain the integrity of delicate fabrics and materials while also ensuring their longevity for future display and study.
Collections manager: A collections manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and maintaining collections of costumes and textiles in museums, galleries, or other institutions. This role involves managing the acquisition, preservation, documentation, and organization of garments and accessories, ensuring that they are stored and displayed properly for exhibitions and educational purposes.
Costume curator: A costume curator is a professional responsible for the acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of costumes and textiles within a museum or collection. They play a crucial role in interpreting fashion history and cultural significance through the careful selection and display of garments, ensuring that each piece is presented in a way that tells a meaningful story to the audience.
Cultural representation: Cultural representation refers to the ways in which a culture is depicted, expressed, and understood through various forms, including visual arts, fashion, and performance. It plays a crucial role in showcasing the diversity of human experience and identity, reflecting societal values and beliefs while also shaping perceptions of different cultures.
Deaccessioning: Deaccessioning refers to the process of removing items from a museum or collection, typically for reasons such as redundancy, condition, or relevance to the institution's mission. This practice is essential for maintaining the integrity and focus of a collection, allowing curators to ensure that exhibitions reflect the evolving narrative and standards of the institution. Deaccessioning can also involve ethical considerations regarding ownership, provenance, and the future of the artifacts.
Draping techniques: Draping techniques are methods used in fashion design to create garments by arranging and pinning fabric on a dress form or model. These techniques allow designers to explore how the fabric interacts with the body, creating a three-dimensional garment that enhances fit and style. Through draping, designers can innovate patterns, manipulate textures, and visualize how different fabrics will behave in real-life wear.
Exhibition design: Exhibition design refers to the process of creating engaging, educational, and aesthetically appealing displays for showcasing objects, such as costumes, within a museum or gallery setting. This field combines elements of architecture, interior design, graphic design, and storytelling to present items in a way that enhances the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the subject matter. Effective exhibition design also considers the flow of foot traffic, lighting, and accessibility to create a cohesive experience for visitors.
Fabric sourcing: Fabric sourcing refers to the process of finding and obtaining materials necessary for creating costumes, which can include selecting the right textiles that align with the design vision and historical accuracy. This process is crucial in curating costume exhibitions and managing collections, as the quality and authenticity of fabrics can greatly impact the overall presentation and educational value of the exhibition.
Historical costume exhibition: A historical costume exhibition is an organized display of clothing and accessories from various periods that aims to educate and engage the public about fashion history, cultural significance, and societal norms. These exhibitions often showcase garments in relation to their historical context, highlighting the craftsmanship, materials, and influences of different eras, thus offering visitors insight into the evolution of fashion and its impact on society.
Intellectual property rights: Intellectual property rights are legal protections that grant creators and inventors exclusive rights to their original works, inventions, and designs for a certain period of time. This includes the ability to control how their creations are used, shared, or reproduced, which is crucial for fostering innovation and creativity. These rights play a significant role in ensuring that creators can benefit financially from their efforts while also providing a framework for the protection of cultural heritage and artistic expression in various fields.
Narrative framework: A narrative framework refers to the structure that organizes and shapes a story, providing context and guiding the audience through the unfolding of events. It establishes the setting, characters, and plot, while also determining how information is presented and interpreted. In the realm of costume exhibitions, this framework is crucial as it influences how garments are contextualized within historical, cultural, and artistic narratives.
Object cataloging: Object cataloging is the systematic process of recording and organizing detailed information about items in a collection, such as costumes or textiles. This practice ensures that each object is accurately identified, documented, and tracked within a collection, which is crucial for preservation, research, and exhibition planning.
Provenance: Provenance refers to the history of ownership and the journey of an object, including its origin, transfers, and previous custodians. Understanding provenance is crucial in establishing authenticity, value, and historical significance, especially for costumes in exhibitions and collections management.
Textile conservation: Textile conservation is the practice of preserving and maintaining textiles, including garments and fabrics, to ensure their longevity and integrity for future generations. This process involves various techniques to prevent deterioration caused by environmental factors, handling, and wear, while also allowing these items to be displayed in exhibitions without compromising their condition. Effective textile conservation balances aesthetics with preservation ethics, ensuring that the historical significance and craftsmanship of textiles are respected.
The Costume Institute: The Costume Institute is a specialized division within the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, dedicated to the preservation, research, and exhibition of costumes and fashion artifacts. It plays a pivotal role in curating exhibitions that showcase the history and evolution of fashion, while managing an extensive collection that reflects cultural and societal changes over time.
Thematic costume exhibition: A thematic costume exhibition is a curated display of costumes organized around a specific theme, concept, or narrative, showcasing the artistic, cultural, and historical significance of the garments. These exhibitions aim to engage the audience through storytelling and visual aesthetics, often highlighting the connection between fashion and societal context. By thoughtfully selecting and arranging costumes, curators can create an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the themes represented in the garments.
Victoria and Albert Museum: The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is a renowned museum in London, dedicated to decorative arts and design, housing an extensive collection of over 2.3 million objects. It plays a critical role in curating costume exhibitions and managing collections that reflect the history of fashion and textiles from various cultures and time periods.