and Steve Job's Black Turtlenecks....
Update August 5, 2022
The world lost Mr. Miyake to Liver Cancer
Architects take their inspiration from everyday life. We interpret popular culture, spot trends in color and materials and, if we are any good at all, absorb the shards of whatever is good about our world.
For me personally, just in my course of travel, or work - whatever, some things just stop me dead in my tracks.
As a teen seeing Kevin Roche's new Oakland Museum for the first time was one of those moments. I literally walked to a quiet place and just tried to process it all. The realization that space could be crafted like color or music left me stunned. The same thing happened at the former VC Morris' art glass shop on Maiden Lane in San Francisco. This tiny Frank Lloyd Wright gem from 1940 was clearly his dry run for his eventual design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. I remember walking in and sensing something profound.
While most of my posts are about the places I visit as I go about my life and work, I thought I'd share some photos from a very special exhibit. One that changed me.
It was the "Bodyworks" exhibition by Issey Miyake in San Francisco nearly 40 years ago at the original Museum of Modern Art. My apologies. In those days I photographed everything using an old German Kodak Retina. In more skilled hands that fine camera could have delivered better photographs.
Masterworks in Pleats
Born in Hiroshima in 1938 Miyake, when this show was staged, was reaching his creative zenith. He would withdraw from day-to-day management of his studio to pursue research activities a little more than a decade later.
Even today these garments of feathers, wetsuit material, wires and fanned pleats appear both timeless and futuristic.
Yet these pieces clearly whisper of Miyake's heritage; coming of age creatively as post war Japan emerged on the world stage as an industrial powerhouse.
This exhibit was astounding in 1984. It was simply decades ahead of its time. It literally took my breath away.
Yet these pieces clearly whisper of Miyake's heritage; coming of age creatively as post war Japan emerged on the world stage as an industrial powerhouse.
This exhibit was astounding in 1984. It was simply decades ahead of its time. It literally took my breath away.
Feathers
Presentation
Grace
All Displayed in a Nearly Perfect Venue
History Referenced
I'm not sure if it came about as a result of this exhibition, but the timing of this show parallels the point where Miyake and computer maker Steve Jobs met. A meeting that resulted in Miyake making him a seemingly endless supply of those trademark black turtlenecks.
It doesn't seem possible to me now, but this exhibit was staged at a time before my children were born.
They are now creative adults themselves.
They are now creative adults themselves.
Time is as elusive as a breeze.
Roadboy's Travels © 2012
5 comments:
I saw this exhibit in San Francisco in 1984 and it quite literally changed me. An amazing exhibit. I wonder where it is now. I would love to see it again. I had the poster for the show for years and years but lost track of it. Issey is truly an artist.
I SAW THIS TOO IN 1984 and it was life changing! May he Rest in Paradise and Peace. Thank you Issey Miyake!
I fondly remembered seeing this AMAZING 1984 Exhibition in San Francisco that inspired me to work and pursue my career in the Fashion Industry. He was Truly a Visionary Couture Trained Artist and Fashion Designer that was way ahead of his time. He Truly left his impression on me as a young Art College Student. Thank You Issey Miyake for your Creative Contribution to the Fashion World, you truly will be missed!
I was at this very show as well.
Sad to hear of Issey Miyake's passing.
It would be at this show at The Museum of Modern Art, back in 1984 while visiting my friend who was finishing his master's degree at The San Francisco Art Institute, that changed me. A designer of clothing no less.
This show changed me. It had very spiritual undertones at least through my lens) and the visuals--breathtaking. Standing before these unusually ebonized and perfectly smoothed textured mannequins, beautifully lit from the above skylights where at one point the sun's rays beamed down and washed over the ebony figures that were draped in billowy fabric--some in all white (signaling a divine reference for me only) others looked like Issey took my scuba diving suit and made it much better. It influenced many of my drawings for my "Beyond Realism" series that I rarely show. The grace of these ebony mannequins I can't describe other than divine beings. There was an energy about them which is hard to describe. If you were to be up close to them you could see this in the facial gestures. Truly fascinating! I miss those carefree days where I could roam The Museum of Modern Art with a friend and have exquisite conversations over an amazing meal and cocktails. Oh those conversations went wee into the am. My friend was one of the best at having these types of discussions and I've never found anyone else like him and probably never will.
Just rediscovered the poster from this show. Tucked away for all these years. Really in perfect condition but I can't find it anywhere on the internet.
I have a knit cotton top from this period. Probably bought it at the iconic Wilkes-Bashford men's clothing store.
it does bring back memories. He certainly was a huge creative force. Actually remember a small exhibit of his later more technical pieces at MOMA. Woven in one piece and intended to be cut apart by the wearer.
Post a Comment