The gradual elevation of fashion to the rank of art and its introduction to museums has become a fact. Maryla Sobek’s designs definitely fit in this process, questioning the traditional model of clothing form and structure design from the perspective of the human body topology. Each “objet-vêtement” don not reproduce the shape of the body. They are rather “envelops”, surrounding the body like the closest, single covering. The polymorphic character of Maryla Sobek’s designs enable wearing of these garments in various ways, depending on the initiative and imagination of it’s owner’s. Each objet-vêtement incites to natural creativity by the individual.
The exhibition at the Museum of Architecture, previously shown at Maisonneuve Cultural Center in Montreal, presents works at the edge of two fields: architecture and fashion. The author studied both disciplines and worked as a stylist in Balenciaga and Lanvin. At present she is professor at the École du design (UQAM) in Montreal. Her dissertation examined the convergences, both structural and artistic, between clothing and architectural objects. Her research into Western clothing and architecture in the period 1950-2000 confirmed that clothing design and architecture have strong analogies on both the structural and formal levels. In 2009, Maryla Sobek undertook field research in the Dogon region of Mali. This study enabled her to explore new research and practical paths in the field of clothing design employing a non-Western architectural aesthetic. The exhibition Taller: objet-vêtement is the fruit of this research and has an interdisciplinary character appealing to dance, video art and photography.
An book in English accompanies the exhibition (summary in Polish) containing critical comments on Maryla Sobek’s works. The curator’s comment by Serge Allaire consist the artist’s working methods and the process of objet-vêtement creation. Manon Levac explained in her own words her experience as a choreographer and dancer in the project in which “dance serves the garment”. Maryla Sobek writes her experience on her work in the Dogon region. The book was prepared by Serge Rhéaume, student of professor Nelu Wolfensohn, graphic design at UQAM and was published in cooperation with Presses de l’Université du Québec and Taller Habitus Reasearch Group.