In Shape
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Design Museum Den Bosch
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Address:
De Mortel 4,
5211 HV 's-Hertogenbosch
The body is often seen as a malleable construct, shaped through correction, movement, and fittings. This exhibition shows that clothing has been used for centuries to conform to ideals of beauty, ideals that are shaped by power structures and identity.
At times, shaping the body is about hierarchy and discipline; at others, it is about seduction and consumption – often both at once. Women’s bodies, men’s bodies, and all bodies in between are treated differently in this process, yet they constantly intersect within visual culture, fashion, and desire. The exhibition In Shape makes visible how design influences not only our clothing but also the shape our bodies, and invites visitors to reflect on the power, allure, and risks of this malleability.
Image: Anonymous, Two Women Putting on a Crinoline, c. 1855