7/1 - V&A Museum: Alice Exhibit

7/1 - V&A Museum: Alice; Curiouser and Curiouser

Driscoff's What Model:

1)What: outlining the experience and what you are reflecting on.

2) So what: reflecting on the experience, and what you have learned as a result.

3) Now what: how you will use what you have learned in the future, and future practices.

1)What?

This week we were invited to visit the Alice exhibit at the V & A Museum.

The V&A Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum), is a museum in London that is considered the largest in the world that features applied arts, decorative arts, and design. Their permanent collection houses over 2.27 million objects. Founded in 1852, it was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Alice exhibit; Curiouser and Curiouser, explored the origins, adaptations, and reinventions of Alice over 157 years. Considered an immersive and theatrical show, the exhibit charted Alice's adventures in Wonderland from manuscript to a global phenomenon over the ages.

We saw works such as original illustrations from the first published Alice in Wonderland, to photos of the inspiration of Alice herself during the exhibit. The exhibit also composed of not just physical historical items, but virtual reality spaces where they used quotes from Alice in Wonderland, to portray different spaces from the story.

Along with looking at items and the spaces, the exhibit held a virtual reality experience as well as a space featuring iconic fashion pieces that been created by designers such as Vivenne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, inspired by themes from Alice in Wonderland.

2) So What?

It was especially intriguing to see the original illustrations from Dali to Walt Disney. Alice in Wonderland in a reminisce of our childhoods, and to come face to face with the illustrations of what took part in the creation of one of our beloved imaginative worlds in film and childhood memories, was indeed humbling and strange.

As a 25 year old, I had never really thought of Alice in the Wonderland as much as I had as a child. Watching the illustrations come to life through videos and the virtual space was truly amazing to experience, but it also made me realize that I had lost a touch with a childlike imaginative creativity.

Seeing that adults (such as Walt Disney) or designers such as McQueen, pay tribute to their imaginations, and continue on the legacy of Alice's adventures, was something that made me feel appreciative of human creativity and imagination. I think a lot of times, in life we tend to get lost in focusing on one thing at a time. Career, jobs, money, plans, goals etc. It felt like I had lost touch with some of the parts that had inspired me as a child to enjoy childlike creativity or indulging in stories such as Alice in Wonderland.

I was once again reminded of the vast world of imagination that lay before me. Not just in Alice in Wonderland, but different forms of imagination that could be used in fashion, virtual reality, and digital art work. To see the legacy of the dreams of one girl that turned into a fantasy realm for adults, was incredible. How did this happen? Why are we in love with this story? What is there to tell about this? What is there to learn from this?

3) Now What?

A lot of times, in fashion or in networking, I put on a professional front in order to seem more competent and confident. This habit of putting on a face of professionalism has lost me in losing a sense of touch with things I truly enjoy (or have enjoyed) throughout my childhood and interests. I gave up on a lot of my creative endeavors believing it is not worth pursuing, or not profitable enough to make an income.

But to see this exhibit, and seeing how one interest in creativity is globally celebrated, and enjoyed by different creatives, makes me want to dive into that inner childlike character and be more authentic with what I enjoy and like. It makes me want to be more creative, and more imaginative.

1. I want to get more in touch with my creative side. This includes indulging in stories and art that I enjoy and may lead to further interests in my master's project.

2. I want to be more expressive of art that I enjoy. This exhibit made me realize that there are so many different artists that I enjoy, but haven't really thought about. Artists such as Dali are phenomenal, and I may visit another museum to see some more of his work.

3. I want to become more appreciative of artists and people who work on creativity and imagination. I felt extremely humbled by this exhibit, but also felt there is so much work in creating something for many people to enjoy. It makes me feel hopeful and excited to share more.

And onwards to more creative and childlike imagination indulgence, that may lead to innovative and great ideas for my project..!