Dolman 1878 - 1882

Editor: This garment, called a Dolman, was created by Compagnie Lyonnaise between 1878 and 1882. It's made of textile. The fringing is quite striking; it makes me think about movement and performance. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Considering this piece materially, the intense labor required for the fringing is immediately apparent. It goes beyond mere decoration. The tactile nature of the fringe – the feeling of each strand, the sound it would make – elevates what could be seen as purely functional clothing. We need to think about who created each piece and what does this mean about production? Editor: So, you’re seeing the process of making it as really important? Curator: Absolutely! Look at the interplay between the textile and the fringe. Was the base material mass-produced or also handcrafted? Thinking about the garment this way collapses traditional hierarchies between "high art" and craft. Furthermore, consider the social context of the time; the status associated with elaborate garments and how material choices conveyed wealth and position. Editor: I never really considered all the labour in this one, so that puts it in a new perspective. The materials suddenly speak volumes about class. Curator: Exactly. It transforms the Dolman from simply a garment to a statement about society, production, and the human hand. Seeing art this way asks us to question its value system and biases Editor: I’m understanding much better what the garment symbolizes with this interpretation. It adds complexity that enhances my appreciation. Curator: Thinking materially can always offer richer stories about the interactions surrounding production, consumption, labor and, ultimately, meaning.