BODY  ORNAMENT

Information line     01772 257112

January 18th to March 1st Harris Museum and Art Gallery Market Square Preston Lancashire

Through the work of writers and six young designers commissioned to make objects, films and photographs, this exhibition investigates one of our greatest preoccupations -- that of how we look....

From home perms to body piercing, the artefacts in Body Ornament give a flavour of the past and the future, and the ways in which we give signals to others about who we are :

The Past ... the Harris' collection of 1930s - 1950s cosmetic equipment features powder compacts, vanishing cream, manicure sets and cut-throat razors.

The Present ... exhibits include a wedding dress made of rose petals; a mirrored room that allows you to see yourself as others see you; and photographs of 25 pierced belly buttons!

The Future? ... jeweller Becky Harrison has made a series of body stamps -- safe tattooing for the 1990s?

The exhibition brings together diverse work to examine several important issues :

.... the pain that is an inherent part of much body decoration.

.... the ways in which youth culture identifies itself.

.... the rituals we all have for presenting ourselves to the world.

Interesting.

 [INDEX] [INTRO] [REVIEWS] [LINKS] [CULTURE] [MAGAZINE] [GUESTVIEW]