Fashion Design: AAS Exhibition Themes

Cabinet of Curiosities  [Spring 2018]
The theme encompasses Curiosities: Antiquity, Natural, Modern, Futuristic

"Cabinets of curiosities, also known as ‘wonder rooms’, were small collections of extraordinary objects which, like today’s museums, attempted to categorise and tell stories about the wonders and oddities of the natural world." (British Library)

"The glass display cases called "curio cabinets" got both their form and their name from the historic "Cabinets of Curiosity." Though ubiquitous today, curio cabinets come from a rich history of passionate collectors and exultant status-seekers, looking for the flashiest proclamations of their presence in society.
Cabinets of Curiosity were also known as Wunderkammer, Cabinets of Wonder, or Wonder-Rooms. They first became popular during the Northern Renaissance, but that popularity didn't reach its apex until the Victorian era. Where amateur and professional scientists once kept their most prized specimens hidden away, society-folk now possessed the flashiest and rarest finds, and proudly displayed them for all to see. Though the traditional Wonder-Rooms—where entire rooms were filled with glass cases and collections—still existed in Victorian times, they were mostly the realm of royalty and academic institutions. The tradition of a personal collection to show off reached the newly burgeoning middle class, and the singular glass "curio cabinet" with one's most prized collection items skyrocketed in popularity."  (Mental Floss)

Cabinets of Curiosities, Kunstkammer, Wunderkammer, Cabinets of Wonder, or Wonder-Rooms:
What are some of the distinctions between them? Read more in Oxford Art Online (FIT user name and password required)

Note: This page is not updated after exhibit semester has ended.  Suggestions & sources are often still valid & helpful, but remember to check for newer books, websites, etc.

Cabinet of Wonders: Augmented Reality Demo from the Getty Museum (Los Angeles CA)

Search by person's name, subject, place, etc.
 

This theme is open for interpretation.  It's a conceptual theme, requiring a rigorous approach and standards of excellence in concept and execution.  You have freedom of design - but your design research and development is of key importance.

Related concepts include: collections, objects, museums, natural history, collage, taxidermy, apothecaries, artifacts, shadow boxes, and more...

 



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