The Costume Museum had always caused me mixed feelings. Enthusiasm and laziness…
Love for the content, the continent and the intrinsic value of the idea, y un poco de “odio” por no ser capaz de despegarme de la pereza para ir a verlo… you know I live in Granada and I'm not, just a step enclosure. But holy hell I spent a year studying in Madrid, between bells and whistles, I did not have the decency to reserve an afternoon to see him expressly.
It gets worse, and it has crime, if I tell you that I had already stepped on its facilities on two previous occasions on the occasion of the national meetings of Blogs of Moda where fashionistas with interest give it all from conference to conference.
Even being there, in the few breaks, I had the lead going to see the collection, excusing it in the brief pause not give me time to see it in detail. I was right and some other, a la vez, It depended on what I imagined to find in. Rooms and rooms and rooms and rooms full of hypnotic particularly sensational dresses and they would not let me escape so easily.
Thanks to Master Fashion, Communication and Management organized this year ESCO, the last week of February all students come to this emblematic space for a lecture on the inspiring and inspired Blanca Zurita, but this experience requires another chapter.
We were greeted by one of the people who most interesting and kind of the fashion world in the global world discovered, Helena Lopez de Hierro, museum director. A mature woman, realistic, good communicator and above all passionate about her work and fashion as a cultural and artistic concept. The latter details are critical because many times we forget between this transfer of rags.
We had a very pleasant journey, historic first and then physical, by the museum itself. In a certain way, rapid and concrete showed us the most relevant walk each time turning into a luxury private visit.
Perfection is boring and monotonous, así que, as life itself, the Museum of Costume in Madrid has its pros and cons, which it makes it much more interesting. And much more to explore. Here I list my noes and yeses based on that visit
NO. The fundamental importance of light
Cuando entramos en el ensortijado laberinto de madera me invadió una sensación que se podría describir como “Plato's cave fashion”; donde se ven sombras de lo que hay o había en la calle pero no terminas de considerarlas del todo reales ¿O lo que decía Platón era justo al revés? The same gives me the philosopher, but I can only remember the misty feeling among inert tissue surrounded by darkness.
I understand, and understandably, the need for conservation glimmer of materials and garments, but it does a disservice to its full and complete display. Designs designed to shine daylight or under the lights of a party are great but pretty lackluster preserved, never better said.
This point is very close to…
NO. Beautiful and blinded windows
One of the things that surprised me is the confrontation between the building itself and housing. The headquarters was set up as specialized in contemporary art museum and later, when it was decided that it would be garments and fabrics exposed, an inner intervention was made to suit the needs exhibition. Me dio pena, very sad.
Un claro no a “desaprovechar” la magnífica obra arquitectónica de Jaime López de Asiain y Ángel Díaz Domínguez, who was National Architecture Prize in 1969. Big, grandísimos windows showing the beautiful gardens of the museum are completely covered.
I could not resist, you know me, and I ended up asking the Helena own what he thought the matter. I openly said it was a shame but it had been and was the only viable and capable of carrying out the project so, both exhibit the collection of garments to keep running as the building itself.
This very well resolved internally, but I, as good Andalusian, It has done much less a good sunbeam shining across the museum and colliding with silk.
NO. We are far, far away
I understand, and understandably, costume that conservation is essential. I understand, and understandably, so that protection is. But I also understand, and understandably, if I live to know some emblematic pieces of the history of costume I please have them closer.
When you go to see the Guernica, any protecting glass… when you go to see the Mona Lisa, ejem, bueno, the Mona Lisa if they have glass corny but we all know what the French are.
To say nothing of Costume Museum becomes a showroom where we all like any Pedros by our "Lovers passengers", but I believe both the glass as remoteness extremely difficult viewing and appreciation dresses in depth.
Come to mind, It is the museum collection so extensive and guess with different value and importance rankings, ¿Por qué no se seleccionan algunas prendas para poder verlas de cerca y sin cristal por medio? The art, always with respect, It should be visible close. ¡Con sólo rodear las siluetas nos daríamos con un canto en los dientes! Only surround them, ojo, no play – of advice: never touch anything from a museum unless it is the Science Park and force you to it.
I kept wanting to see thousand real close sequined embroidery years 20 o 30, or any of those brocades of sixteenth century. Y no, no me vale que haya “telas similares” en el área educativa porque lo que quiero es verlo sobre la prenda y sobre la época.
If you can do in this funny end inverted gateway, donde puedes “pegar la nariz” al Paco o al Custo, sure they can adapt to other times. It is not a matter of whim, it is a matter of details.
AND. Vision and mission for all those fashionistas future
During the visit we met with a class of children about five years. I have sat with them to enjoy a tour that seemed entertaining and fun. Enforcing fashion and clothing from such a young age is a great idea.
Great fostering, as it should be, that fundamental educational role in any museum not have a loaded bloggers / os future full of arrogance and nothing to say. The tree must be put firm almost since semillita.
AND. Rotating funds and interesting exhibits
Hoot in his favor. To know the excesses of Versace, algunos meses después quedarse anonadado frente a unos sacaleches del siglo XIX y ahora seguir flipando con los ingenios de diseño “imposible” it's a real luxury. Temporary exhibitions give life and value to the center.
AND. Interaction, fun and firsthand knowledge
As we were special visit we were fortunate to have access to educational area where they left, literally, playing with fabrics, trusses, shims, etc. Saqué al Manuel III que llevo dentro con la gorguera o emulé a la Señorita Escarlata – póngase voz de película – with corset.
Una cosa que siempre requiero en los museos es ¡más interacción, por favor! With the works can not fool around but there are many ways to make things interesting, instructive and are within the program. Un 10 for this very interesting museum area.
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En resumen, the museum has ten management, involved and effectively managing a very content, but very interesting, although little "accessible", It located in a beautiful setting but their function denatured. Lights and leftovers of a necessary and must-see museum. Thanks, when leaving you can leave your comment.
