Art turns wearable again

Culture Candy’s wearable art show Uncommon Thread makes a welcome return this month after a hiatus from its usual fall schedule.

If “wearable art” does not trigger some curiosity, past participants have used things like fake hair, trash bags, cut flowers, balloons, porcelain figurines and condoms for some truly avant-garde trappings. The winner in 2009 used only sticks.

“(As) opposed to other ‘wearable art’ programs, we do not limit the material to any one thing,” says Holly Maynard, participant liaison and former Thread artist. “We feel the more options artists have in regard to media, the more varied they can be in their interpretation of the concept.”

This year’s theme is Transmogrify, which means to transform in a “sudden or magical way.” Artists must create something that physically or figuratively transforms the wearer or viewer.

But Uncommon Thread is no fashion show. In fact, the organizers try to create a distinct divide between their program and fashion. The show merges art forms like lighting, collaborative music, modern dance and costume design.

The catwalk experience itself is no ordinary fashion show, either. Maynard says not only is the costume design and fitting a precise art, but artists often have a particular way they want their pieces to move or dance that’s important to the showing of their work. Micaela Coner is the show’s choreographer, and DJ OttO will provide the music.

The juror for this year’s program, Jon Coffelt, is a renowned artist who works out of Manhattan and got his start in the fashion and fabrics industry.

The national competition awards $1,000, and contestants have sent in submissions from all over the U.S., Canada and beyond. While Culture Candy’s biggest fundraiser used to be free to attend, Maynard says organizers had to implement a $20 ticket charge to maintain the quality of the experience.

The show starts at 8 p.m. on May 13 at the Old Governor’s Mansion downtown. Tickets are available online at culturecandy.org.