Everything Virgil Abloh did-from his work designing for Off-White and as Artistic Director for menswear at Louis Vuitton, to his forays into art, music, film, and design, to his collaborations with brands like Nike and IKEA-seemed irrepressibly democratic and forward-moving. It's a concept central to the new Brooklyn Museum edition of the touring exhibition "Virgil Abloh: 'Figures of Speech"", which opened on 1 July.
"Figures of Speech"", which debuted in Chicago in 2019 before travelling to Atlanta, Boston, and Doha, was originally conceived as a midcareer retrospective of Abloh's boundarybreaking oeuvre as an artist, designer, and creative polymath.
But following his untimely death from a rare form of cancer last November at the age of just 41, it now functions as a celebration of the work of a prolific creator who succeeded not just by bringing his own visions to life but by sharing the blueprint for others to do the same for themselves. Curated by Antwaun Sargent, the Brooklyn Museum iteration will feature items and artifacts arranged on tables instead of walls, and a new "social sculpture" for hosting talks-a literal and figurative manifestation of the sense of community Abloh strove to cultivate, where everyone was welcomed in.
This is how Abloh worked too. Ideas came from dozens of lively, freewheeling WhatsApp group chats. It was a system that not only provided an alternative to the tedium of meetings and emails but also seemed to push everyone around him to a freer creative place where no time zone was a barrier and anyone with a good idea was in. Many of these chats are still going-and ideas that have emerged from them continue to be realised: Both the Spring 2023 Louis Vuitton menswear and Off-White collections will feature Abloh's work, and a makeup launch, films, and other projects are also in the pipeline.
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The Great Unknown
It's a fresh chapter for Thai actress Nuttanicha "Nychaa" Dungwattanawanich as she strikes out on her own.
FINDING XANADU
Adventure, magic and freedom await in the land of the blue sky, Mongolia.
TALKING POINTS
From the worlds of Art, Culture, Travel and Design.
TIMELESS LUXURY
In Hosanna Swee and Tom Chng's stunning apartment, an eye for detail and love for horological collectibles reveals an elegant and minimalist escape.
PRIM FOR PRIMETIME
Chanikarn \"Prim\" Tangkabodee reminisces on her journey from a child actor to a superstar in-the-making.
INSPIRATION
The suave music artiste is no stranger to the world of fashion. In fact, he describes fashion as the forefront of his and his family's personal expression, as well as a form of manners.
WELL, SUITED?
As attitudes towards dress codes shift, is the suit about to exit our closets?
DARK HORSE
In his next role and what is easily his most challenging character to date―actor Brian Ng wants one thing from you: your hatred.
THE POWER OF PERETTI
In a hidden village of Sant Marti Vell in Spain, where Elsa Peretti lived, loved and created enduring symbols of design and beauty for Tiffany & Co., Kenneth Goh traces and marvels at her 50 years of legacy.
REDEFINING ROYALTY
Chaumet's Charles Leung talks to BAZAAR about the beauty and the resilience of the 244-year-old French jewellery brand in a new era.