New exhibit explores unlikely combinations in textiles, fine art and architecture

By Communications staff, Washington State University
Unconventional Pairings” exhibit includes iconic and lesser-known works, as well as past and current displays of architecture, fine art, textiles, media and more.
Unconventional Pairings” exhibit includes iconic and lesser-known works, as well as past and current displays of architecture, fine art, textiles, media and more.

By Debby Stinson, Museum of Art/WSU

“Unconventional Pairings,” an exhibit that spans historic textile garments, works of fine art, architectural renderings, and furnishings, opened for viewing Monday and will run through Nov. 3 at the WSU School of Design and Construction Gallery.

An opening reception, including a live performance and light refreshments, will be held 4:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in the gallery, located on the 1st Floor of Carpenter Hall, WSU Pullman.

The exhibit puts together surprising combinations of works as means to stimulate unexpected synergies and discussions. Organized around four thematic groupings — “Elusive, In Service, Inside Out and Spectacle” — the display highlights cultural materials spanning the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries to forge links between the past and present, as well as  social contexts. In addition, live performance art will expand upon the themes to include expressions of the body in physical time and space.  

“Unconventional Pairings” is a cross-disciplinary venture between four WSU areas: Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles; Department of Fine Arts; Interior Design; and the Museum of Art.

Drawn from both the Museum of Art and AMDT’s permanent collections, the exhibit includes iconic and lesser known original works in a range of materials and media. Each department utilized significant student involvement in the research, writing, preparation and installation of the exhibition, as well as the participation of student performers.

Faculty and staff organizers include:

  • Linda Bradley, Professor, Department of AMDT
  • Amy Hughes, Instructor, Department of AMDT
  • Squeak Meisel, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Fine Arts
  • Io Palmer, Associate Professor, Department of Fine Arts
  • Carrie Vielle, Clinical Assistant Professor, Interior Design
  • Ryan Hardesty, Interim Chief Curator, Museum of Art
  • Anna-Maria Shannon, Interim Director, Museum of Art
  • Zach Mazur, Curator of Education and Collections, Museum of Art

For more information, see the WSU Calendar, https://calendar.wsu.edu/event/exhibit-unconventional-pairings.