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The first global survey exhibition dedicated to the use of clothing as a medium of visual art, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art examines work by thirty-five international contemporary artists, from established names to emerging voices, several of whom will be exhibiting for the first time in the United States. By making or altering clothing for expressive purposes, these artists create garments, sculpture, installation, and performance art that transform dress into a critical tool. Adopted globally as an artistic strategy, garmenting uses the language of fashion to challenge traditional divisions of form and function, cast a critical eye on the construction of gender, advance political activism, and address cultural difference.

Live performances and activations involving five of the artists in Garmenting will be presented on-site throughout the exhibition. 

Installation Views

Installation Views Thumbnails
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 2
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 6
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 3
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 5
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 1
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 4
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 2
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 6
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 3
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 5
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 1
MAD Museum, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art, install 4