Sept–October 2007 - Preview

La Belle EpoqueVANCOUVER MUSEUM, VANCOUVER BC – Sep 13-Mar 23La Belle Époque, meaning “beautiful era”, describes theEuropean fashion period between 1890 and the outbreakof World War I in 1914. During this time, the rich andprivileged by birth experienced a time of extreme wellbeingand comfort that allowed new fashions to flourish.The silhouette of female fashion changed many timesduring the era, and fashion novelties came and went inspeedy succession.Parisian haute couture was mainly responsible for theemergence of trends that were quickly studied and copiedthroughout the Western world. Fashions of the periodincluded the Edwardian suit and the “Gibson Girl” look,the latter with embellished ornate blouses replete with pintucks, pleats, appliqués, insertions of lace and faggotingworn with gored, trumpet-like skirts, all designed for theactive, emancipated woman. The Edwardian silhouette,inspired by the designs of Paul Piret, featured empirewaistlines and slim, corseted silhouettes, round décolleténecklines and lavish jewellery. Accessories includedparasols, small decorative bag-like purses, and incrediblelavish wide-brimmed hats trimmed with ribbons andfeathers. The shawls of the 19th century were replaced bypreviewwww.vanmuseum.bc.caFashionable woman dressed in a stylish walking suitfor a stroll in the park, c. 1890-92, [VancouverMuseum, Vancouver BC, Sep 13-Mar 23]exotic-sounding paletots, casaques and mantelets. Vibrant colours, puffed sleeves, nippedwaistlines, rich fabrics, fringes, beadwork and fur – as well as small toy dogs on ornate leashes –were all the rage.La Belle Epoque: Women's Fashions of La Belle Époque 1890-1914 at the Vancouver Museum iscurated by Ivan Sayers. It includes articles of clothing courtesy of the Vancouver Museum’scollection and Canadian collectors Claus Jahnke, Ivan Sayers, Melanie Talkington and JonathanWalford. Mia Johnson★ Autumn Brook Gallery1545 W 4th Ave ✆604-737-2363www.autumnbrook.camon 1-4pm tues-sat 10:30am-5:30pm A 4,000 square foot gallerysituated at the foot of Gallery Rownear the West 4th Ave entrance toGranville Island. Showcasing talentedand accomplished BC artists, sculptorsand painters.Bau-Xi Gallery3045 Granville St ✆604-733-7011www.bau-xi.common-sat 10am-5:30pm sun 12-4pmSep 8-22 Darlene Cole, depicts nostalgicpaintings of the passing time ofinnocence; Ian Martin, new series ofphotogravure; Oct 13-27 Sylvia Tait,recent paintings, Pat O’Hara, recentpaintings.Bel Art GalleryCanada Export Centre, #100-602 WHastings St, (lower exhibition level)✆604-924-3719www.belartgallery.common-fri 9am-5pm Upcoming exhibitionsto be announced.Belkin Satellite555 Hamilton St ✆604-687-3174www.belkin.ubc.cawed-sun 12-5pm Sep 1-30 GarethMoore, Kerri Reid, Kara Uzelman,“Working Back”, drawing from archaeology,anthropology and traditionalcraft the artists engage in the sculpturalreparation of once discarded thingsby manipulating found objects, shiftingtheir forms and values, blending storiesand histories on recreated orrecontextualised surfaces; Oct: Call forexhibition information.The Bent Box1536 W 2nd Ave (Waterfall Building)✆604-731-4874www.thebentbox.comtues-fri 11am-6pm sat 10am-6pmsun-mon 12-5pm Representing leadingand emerging First Nations artistsincluding Alvin Adkins (Haida), AlanoEdzerza (Tahitan), Jason Hunt (Kwakwaka’wakw),Bill Reid (Haida), andMoy Sutherland (Nuu Chah Nulth),finely crafted jewellery, woodcarving,prints and vintage baskets.★ Bjornson KajiwaraGallery1727 W 3rd Ave ✆604-738-3500www.TAG.bc.catues-sat 11am-6pm Opening Sep 640 PREVIEW ★ OPEN LATE ON FIRST THURSDAYS