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Photo Credit: Jesse Matulis Photo Credit: Jesse Matulis
Photo Credit: Jesse Matulis
2015 Queen of Serpents - Vilma Mare | Photo:Jesse Matulis | Installation / Exhibition at The Foundry for Art Design + Culture

Electric City Couture Launches 2015

Season with 'Queen of Serpents' Exhibition


Myth Interfaces Routine : Fashion Designer Vilma Mare Explores Contemporary Meanings
Through a Lens of Baltic Mythology

OPENING DAY: Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Foundry for Art Design + Culture | 119 Remsen Street | Cohoes, New York 12047

ARTIST TALK & PANEL DISCUSSION: 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Sunday, November 23, 2014

The 2015 Season kicked off early with the opening of a fashion installation in Cohoes, New York at The Foundry for Art Design + Culture on November 1, 2014 by ECC Designer Vilma Mare. Mare is exploring contemporary culture through an installation involving a symbolic ceremony that recreates a time of connection and cleansing. Egle, the 'Queen of Serpents' is a feminine image with hereditary connection to indigenous rites, worship of ancestral land and family values, and harmonious dialogue between Humankind and Nature. This story depicts an ancient ritual understood from a female perspective whereby Egle takes a central role as she becomes a mediator between "sacral" and "secular" spheres.

The exhibition was comprised of artisnal clothing styles including coats, skirts and other vestments. Besides the usual body protection and adornment aspects of the apparel, Vilma also maintains it’s spiritual content - protection against harm and the attraction of fertility and happiness. Additionally, (5) large oversized, hand sewn and quilted tapestries based on characters from the mythical story, and (9) large traditional ritual flags will be on display.

Exploring this non-heroic Baltic myth, the artist is promoting the preservation of indigenous identity and respect for its idiosyncrasies through a wearable design aesthetic. Vilma's Baltic Style dresses a woman in natural healthy fabrics and comforting clothing while portraying her within serene, thoughtful semantics that are able to communicate the universal values of respect to Earth's and Woman's fertility, and a devotion to one's family and health.

'Queen of Serpents' is the latest in an ongoing series of exhibitions, but as Alana Sparrow, Principal Founding Artist at The Foundry, notes, "This exhibition is unique in that it is the first time that the visiting artist is from the fashion industry and not the fine arts. By having the artist come from a different creative sector, our series has been strengthened by the multiplicity of viewpoints brought to the curatorial process."

The closing reception featured an artist talk and panel discussion with nationally acclaimed author and public speaker James Howard Kunstler, fashion designers Vilma Mare (Founder/Designer at Baltic Style) and Kathleen Tesnakis (Founder/Designer at `e ko logic) in a panel discussion about the psychological impediments to rebuilding local economies and the obstacles faced by the artisan community as they strive to overcome the day to day challenges of competing in a global economy.

"I create for customers with wishful thoughts towards them. I hardly ever fail to satisfy their sartorial needs. Observing the ancient wisdom of the Baltic Druids protects me from vanity, harmful ego and a fruitless existence." - Vilma Mare : Fashion Designer | Artist

Additional event production support for the 'Queen of Serpents' exhibition provided by 2440 Design Studio and Electric City Couture. This event is sponsored in part by Saratoga Pool and Tub of Saratoga Springs, New York.

2015 Season partners include Universal Preservation Hall and Proctors.

2015 QoS Installation Dates

 

Media Contact:
Corey Aldrich : Phone: 518.928.4622 | Email: corey@2440designstudio.com
For interviews, appearances or more information.

'Queen of Serpents' : Myth Interfaces Routine : A Fashion Exhibition

OPENING DAY: Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
McDaris Fine Art | 623 Warren Street | Hudson, New York
The exhibition will be open during normal gallery hours through the month of February 2015.

Hudson, New York : McDaris Fine Art in collaboration with 2440 Design Studio presents an innovative exhibition featuring Lithuanian born, regionally based fashion designer Vilma Mare of Baltic Style. Mare will be exploring contemporary culture through an installation involving a symbolic ceremony that recreates a time of connection and cleansing. Egle, the 'Queen of Serpents' is a feminine image with hereditary connection to indigenous rites, worship of ancestral land and family values, and harmonious dialogue between Humankind and Nature. Through the merging of archetypal water, blood and fire the world is reborn. The purpose is to restore the values of a sacred world. This story depicts an ancient ritual understood from a female perspective whereby Egle takes a central role as she becomes a mediator between "sacral" and "secular" spheres.

The exhibition will be comprised of artisnal clothing styles including coats, skirts and other vestments. Besides the usual body protection and adornment aspects of the apparel, Vilma also maintains it's spiritual content - protection against harm and the attraction of fertility and happiness. Additionally, (5) large oversized, sartorial tapestries based on characters from the mythical story, and (9) large original flags depicting a traditional celebration scene will be on display.

Exploring this non-heroic Baltic myth, the artist is promoting the preservation of indigenous identity and respect for its idiosyncrasies through a wearable design aesthetic. Vilma's Baltic Style dresses a woman in natural healthy fabrics and comforting clothing while portraying her within serene, thoughtful semantics that are able to communicate the universal values of respect to Earth's and Woman's fertility, and a devotion to one's family and health.

“Vilma brings a heightened sense of connection and meaning to the clothing she designs...by combining a high degree of design and craftsmanship with a strong sense of spirituality she transcends the boundaries of typical fashion and creates an empowered, wearable aesthetic.”
Corey Aldrich : Founder | Electric City Couture

A closing reception on Sunday, February 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM will feature an artist talk by designer Vilma Mare. In discussing the function of clothing in a pre christian time, scholar ethnologist Vytautas Tumenas indicates that beauty used to be 'created for protection.' Whether it was a ceremonial, bridal outfit or a dress for success - the goal was sacred and held powerful. Her purpose today is distinct from a fashion design and an industry perspective : to bring wise and meaningful semantics to the clothes we wear and save ourselves from fruitless beautification. Vilma will discuss the importance of portraying the studious cultural history of ethnic minorities who observed and valued above all the powers of Nature.

"I create for customers with wishful thoughts towards them. I hardly ever fail to satisfy their sartorial needs. Observing the ancient wisdom of the Baltic Druids protects me from vanity, harmful ego and a fruitless existence." - Vilma Mare : Fashion Designer | Artist

A pop up store will feature garments for purchase.

Gallery Hours : 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Thursday - Monday | Admission : Free
For more information check out the website at : www.mcdarisfineart.com

Additional event production and support for the 'Queen of Serpents' exhibition is provided by 2440 Design Studio and Electric City Couture.

 

 

Photo Credit: Lindsay Rae Photography | Designer Credit: Vilma Mare Photo Credit: Sarah Pezdek | Designer Credit: Meg Kluball Photo Credit: Sarah Pezdek | Designer Credit: Vilma Mare Photo Credit: Patrick Dodson l | Designer Credit: Gamakache Black Photo Credit: Patrick Dodson l | Designer Credit: Gamakache Black Photo Credit: Doug Mitchell | Designer Credit: Kristina Collins Clothing
Photo Credit: Cindy Schultz | Designer Credit: e ko logic Photo Credit: Marc Roseburg | Designer Credit: Kim Vanyo's Kimism Skirt Line Photo Credit: Doug Liebig for OEProPhoto | Designer Credit: Kim Vanyo for Khymanyo Photo Credit: Marc Roseburg | Designer Credit: Kim Vanyo's Kimism Skirt Line Photo Credit: Doug Liebig for OEProPhoto | Designer Credit: Kim Vanyo for Khymanyo