By Max Barger
As a university student studying art history, I was intrigued by GOMA’s current exhibition titled Sculpting the Senses, which showcases the work of the acclaimed Dutch haute couture designer, Iris van Herpen.
Her otherworldly feminine dresses have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton.
Despite knowing little about fashion, and having only vaguely heard about van Herpen, I was curious to see how the gallery would merge art and fashion.
The first room you enter is centred around the ocean, with dresses that are long and flowing, capturing the liquidity of the fabric.
The subsequent sections are curated with specific themes, ranging from skeletal structures, to the undersides of fungi, to outer space.
Throughout the exhibition, it becomes clear that Iris van Herpen is deeply inspired by the environment; its natural forms and structures, as well as the human body and the future of technology.
She uses 3D printing to replicate natural forms such as coral, fusing the worlds of fashion, nature, and humanity.
I was enthralled by the intricate details of her works, which can take months to complete.
The curators thoughtfully expanded upon her designs, by including relevant artworks from the gallery’s collection, addressing the various themes.
They also included several videos of her runway shows, which bring the designs to life, and are well-worth a watch.
Van Herpen’s partner, artist Salvador Breed composed unnerving and intriguing soundscapes which reverberated off the walls, adding to the exhibition’s sensory experience.
Despite having almost one hundred dresses, the considered curation and individual perspectives of each section kept the designs unique and exciting.
Overall, the exhibition was quite an emotional experience, and left me much more passionate about fashion as an art form.
The exhibition is running until October 7 at GOMA.
Photography: Max Barger
