Silver Moon Bash
I love Fridays-not only because it is the last day of the work week, but because I normally go out and do something really fun. This Friday was no exception. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art hosted their annual membership event inviting visual arts enthusiasts to join for as little as $15. As patrons rolled in to see the Halsey’s latest exhibit, Mend: Love, Life, and Loss, I was immediately stopped in my tracks by clothing designs created and worn by College of Charleston students. I saw everything from wire dresses and vests to a pleaded skirt made out of a map of North Carolina. CofC student, Alexa Groueff was my absolute favorite. The gown she designed and wore was made from heavy duty trash bags and had impeccable detail. She also had a few other designs that her friends were brave and gracious enough to sashay around in. The featured exhibit was interesting to say the least. All of the works in the show contained at least some sort of fiber-string, hair, thread, or yarn. Jon Coffelt’s “Memory Clothes” had everyone scratching their heads and asking “Why so small?” John produced miniature clothes as an intimate homage to acquaintances and friends. He basically took something full size and shrunk it down to makes the piece more precious. All of the artists featured had a common thread. Fiber was the central metaphor, as it is evidenced to be visibly fragile, yet through the mend, it becomes durable, and at times, indelible. After the party, everyone headed across the street to the Alumni Hall for a presentation by artist/pharmacologist Vance Gellert entitled Smoke and Mirrors: A Journey to Healing Knowledge. His work will be on display at City Gallery at Waterfront Park Nov. 15-Jan. 4.
