The exhibition Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, from November 29, 2023 to April 28, 2024, celebrates the work of a visionary designer who redefined the boundaries between fashion, art and technology. This retrospective brings together over a hundred haute couture pieces, integrated into a thematic journey rich in interdisciplinary collaborations.
Exploring the senses through fashion
Iris van Herpen, renowned for her mastery of cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting, fuses traditional craftsmanship with innovation. Her creations transform clothing into a veritable moving sculpture. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through nine themes exploring water, the human body, space and nature. Each section juxtaposes van Herpen’s pieces with works of contemporary art, such as David Spriggs’ aquatic sculptures or Tim Walker’s dreamlike photographs.
An encounter with art and science
Visitors can admire iconic dresses such as Skeleton or Crystallization, in which biological inspiration is omnipresent. These pieces interact with scientific objects, including Ernst Haeckel’s fascinating marine biology plates and glass models by the Blaschka brothers. The dresses thus become hybrids between nature and technology, oscillating between biomimicry and surrealism.
Beyond the garment: an immersive experience
The experience goes beyond the mere contemplation of the exhibits. Immersive installations such as Refik Anadol’s Renaissance Dreams plunge visitors into digital worlds where the limits of the human body are erased. Another installation, The Liminal Space by EcoLogicStudio, explores the cohabitation of man and nature in a possible ecological future. The exhibition ends with a cosmic reflection, with dresses floating in stellar environments created by artist Kim Keever.
A look at the designer’s studio
An area dedicated to Iris van Herpen’s atelier reveals the behind-the-scenes of her creative process, with videos of her fashion shows and a cabinet of curiosities containing unique accessories. This segment highlights van Herpen’s collaborative approach, surrounding herself with scientists, artists and artisans to enrich her work.
Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses is much more than just a fashion exhibition; it’s an immersion in a universe where art and science intertwine to reinvent our perception of clothing. This retrospective is a tribute to the avant-garde, questioning the relationship between man, nature and technology. A must-see for fashion and visual arts enthusiasts.
Creacontact, Ambassador of Know-How.
