A new D.C. art exhibit explores one of the more complicated and controversial topics of modern society: fast fashion and its impact on labor, trade, ethics and the environment.
鈥�,鈥� opening Aug. 8 at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, looks at the overall cost of inexpensive clothing through an artistic lens by way of 11 pieces of contemporary art that detail how clothes are made, who makes them and what happens to them after they are purchased.
鈥淭here鈥檚 kind of a changing attitude toward fashion consumption that鈥檚 just been happening in the last few years,鈥� said exhibit co-curator Bibiana Obler, an associate professor of art history at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at The George Washington University.
鈥淏ut of course, the changes are happening every decade and the issues of sustainability, in terms of labor and the environment 鈥� these have been problems for a long time.鈥�
The fashion industry鈥檚 excessive use of resources and contributions to pollution have been documented by . The United Nations Environment Program the industry produces 20% of global wastewater and 10% of global carbon emissions. from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation finds that the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles is sent to the landfill or incinerator every second. At the same time, the garment industry is riddled with .
Zara, in fast fashion, recently announced plans to use materials in its clothing by 2025. H&M has also created a line geared toward the more conscious consumer.
鈥淏ut I think there鈥檚 still a huge audience of consumers who are very tempted by all the cheap, inexpensive clothing that鈥檚 available that looks very chic,鈥� said the exhibit鈥檚 other curator, Phyllis Rosenzweig, who is with the Hirshhorn.
That said, the new exhibit at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum is not intended to be didactic. Both Obler and Rosenzweig stress that the art on display is meant to raise questions and start a conversation.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing that says, 鈥楾his is good and this is bad.鈥� The viewer has to look at it and think about what the issues are that are being raised,鈥� Rosenzweig said.
Videos and installations from both well- and lesser-known artists from around the world will be featured. Obler said because the topic hits on so many issues 鈥� from patterns, to politics, to pollution 鈥� she expects the exhibit will attract people from a range of backgrounds and interests.
鈥淭here are so many ways you can think about these issues; it鈥檚 so complicated,鈥� Obler said.
鈥淢aybe there鈥檚 a way in which art can help us think about these things in new ways, from different angles.鈥�
鈥淔ast Fashion/Slow Art鈥� is organized by the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in Maine in cooperation with the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, and The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. This exhibition will be presented at the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, 500 17th Street, NW, Tuesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to reflect the correct opening date of the exhibit, Aug. 8.聽
