Art History, fashion, SIA, Style Imitating Art

Style Imitating Art-Inspired by a Soundsuit

by terrigardner1
About Style Imitating Art

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks and me. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday one of us selects an inspirational work and we each post the image on our blogs. The following Monday we share our art-inspired outfits. The following Wednesday, the curator shares all of the submissions on her blog.

This Week’s Inspirational Work

I picked one of Nick Cave’s Soundsuits. Over the years, he has created many of these works. Although, they are meant to be used as art in motion, I’ve seen these as static works of art in museums and find that even without movement, they are captivating.

This particular piece is created from found objects which includes, twigs, crochet doilies, ceramic birds and flowers.

How the Soundsuit Inspired

Usually, some of my first considerations for styling a SIA are the subject matter, design (any obvious motifs used?), and color palette of the work. That is how this one began too. I knew I wanted crochet but I don’t crochet and don’t own any crochet garments.

My oldest daughter does and crocheted a broomstick lace tunic a few years ago that I really liked. Mom went begging and she said, “sure”.

Next came the flowers; those on my vintage Elaine Gold scarf and the Daffodils that I planted about thirty years ago in the bottom half of our front yard so they could naturalize.

The Soundsuits influenced in indirect ways also. They can be seen as armor and security.

Do we use items in our wardrobe as protective items? It’s obvious that we use them to shield us from the cold, wind, sun and rain. But do they offer us some kind of emotional protection? I think for sometimes that can be true.

Are sunglasses sometimes hidden behind?

I remember Jackie Kennedy-Onassis and her oversize sunglasses. They were part of her mystique. Did the public truly ever know her? I don’t think so.

The Use of Dance

Soundsuits are used for dance. Nick Cave trained as a dancer with the Alvin Ailey Modern Dance Company and they have also used his creations in their dances.

I’m not a trained dancer but have always loved dancing to some good rock music. I find that SIA frees up my imagination so why not add some movement to my photos? I’ll admit, it’s not real dance but I did have fun.

Brief Review of Elements I’m Using Today

Hand crocheted Tranquil Hairpin Lace tunic-Pattern by Kristen Omdahl

High Waist-white jeggings by American Eagle

White knit shell thrifted from Goodwill

Vintage Elaine Gold scarf from eBay-a list of all current Elaine Gold scarfs now available on eBay

Black Nine West leather clutch with multi colored zippers found on clearance-TJ Maxx-you can find these used. They hold just enough with the three pockets and the hot pink, stop light yellow and turquoise zippers make it a lot of fun. As it also has a strap, it is probably more classified as a wristlet. It’s handy to have a least.

Ydelle slides in Solar Yellow and Black by Vince Cauuto

Hair is Torani in Coconut Silver Blond by BelleTress

That wraps up my ideas that I had when it came to my interpretation of the Soundsuits.

It’s now your turn. How have you interpreted this wonderful work of art? If you have not already sent me your design, (along with a small blurb on how the work influenced you choices) please do so at meadowtreestyle@gmail.com by tomorrow. I will do a roundup this Wednesday featuring all your designs. There are no wrong answers and I’m looking forward to your style ideas.

Take care everyone and stay creative!

Gotta To Go

A Little Extra

I mentioned in my introduction of Nick Cave last week that he is also a multimedia artist. In fall of 2018, Kansas City, Missouri sponsored Open Spaces, a massive event to celebrate the arts, culture and creativity. One of the works presented was an installation by Nick Cave at the Hope Center (formerly a church). I have a short video that I took, which is the second. The first listed is a more complete experience. It was an incredible experience and we stayed for a few cycles. Of course, I realize that seeing it virtually cannot compare to experience it in real time. Still, I wanted to share it.

Nick Cave: Hy-Dyve

My Short

28 thoughts on “Style Imitating Art-Inspired by a Soundsuit”

    1. Thank you. I was very worried that it “was over the top” as we say around here. Tomorrow would have worked too-I’ll run over to my email and see what you did.Thank you for taking part. xOXO Terri

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  3. Terri, your styling for this piece is absolutely brilliant! What a gorgeous crocheted sweater! The color is so pretty on you, too, and that floral scarf is just exquisite! I really love that you are dancing in these photos, too! So fun! I have been trying to incorporate more movement into my photos recently as well. It definitely adds more interest when you can see the flow of our clothing and how it moves with our bodies. We are not completely still and static beings, after all. Great inspiration piece this week!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Shelbee, so happy you like it. I know this was a hard piece but I just had to introduce Nick Cave to the general audience. I am so happy that you embraced it how you did. I really think Nick Cave is one of the more pertinent working artists of this decade. I’m afraid the art teacher takes me over when it’s my turn. There’s just some artists I gave to do and just keep my fingers crossed that others can relate.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle.Yes, I am lucky that my Michelle also crochets along with knitting. She said I could keep this one for a while-so I just might try and wear it a few times more.

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  7. What a fun outfit and I love your dance poses among the flowers! How lovely that your daughter crochets! My mom loved crocheting. I have several crocheted tops. Your floral scarf adds another artistic touch and the whole look is marvellous!

    ❤️carmen

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      1. Looks like dance poses to me 🙂 And if you’re moving and having fun, well, that sounds like dance! 🙂 In my vocabulary and definitions, movement is dance, usually with music but not necessarily. I even dance without music. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Pingback: Style Imitating Art: Soundsuit by Nick Cave – Shelbee On the Edge
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