Museum at FIT: Sporting Life

by Barb on December 3, 2011

Christian Lacroix, beachwear ensemble, multicolor nylon/spandex, silk, metallic synthetic straw, plastic, metallic leather, 1990, France.

Though the exhibit finished its five month run last month, I thought it would still be worthwhile to discuss the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology’s presentation on active wear from the mid-19th century to modern day. Titled Sporting Life,the exhibit featured over 100 garments, textiles, and accessories from the Museum’s permanent collection. Thematically divided, the exhibit was concentrated in the areas of hunting, sailing, swimming, golfing, skating, and other activities.

The introductory gallery dedicates itself to exercise and dance, perhaps the simplest in sporting activities. Interesting to note here is the blurred line between fashion and active wear, what with the displayed sportswear carrying elements of both. Progressing through the rest of the themes, this blurred line wasn’t as emphasized as before, with some pieces leaning more towards the practicality of it all, instead of fashion. That said, there were the occasional pieces, such as the bathing suits, that still fell into that gray area. Each piece had its informative placard, providing context, date, and significance.

Despite the fact that it was said to be divided by theme, the different parts of the exhibit were separated merely by a wall, twist of corridor, or simply placement. One theme could be placed on one side, and another on the opposite. Coming back to the “learning experience,” the cards were certainly informative, but almost overwhelming. With information on over 100 pieces, a guest cannot stand to absorb all of it in the small space that houses the exhibit. Should the presentation have been more spread out or even edited a little more, the experience would’ve been as informative.

Exiting the exhibit also posed a problem; leaving the last theme, one enters a corridor that actually introduces you to a completely different exhibit (one highlighting senior students’ work) without providing the guest any context until a couple of steps in. This failure of ending the experience doesn’t leave the exhibit on as high a note as it could.

To sum, it can be said that the exhibit is certainly well-curated and informative, but needs more space to spread out its ideas and to appear less overwhelming.