Cites de Mille Feuilles

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Cités de Mille Feuilles, Cities of a Thousand Layers, continues S!X's research into the use of the quadrant of cloth as the basis for pattern cutting, into the place of cultural and political iconography in fashion design, the interplay of the exteriority of the clothed body and the interiority of spaces, and the themes of decay, wear and excavation. It also introduces the theme of geographical transition and dislocation. The exhibition in Athens uses Greek iconography and a confusion of draping and tailoring to allude to and complicate the geometry of the Greek chiton, the rectangular piece of cloth used to clothe the body in Classical times, as well as diverse forms that the quadrant may assume, other than clothing. It seeks to question distinctions commonly made between personal garments and shared cultural-political signifying objects such as the national flag, both as emblematic print and as a garment constructed of canvas and eyelets. And it suggests the possible portability not only of clothing but also of place, through the use of wallpaper to dress both body and walls, in a recreation of La Chambre de Bonne, S!X's design space in Melbourne. These complications are layered historically, the move from Melbourne back to Athens symbolised through wearing, tearing, staining, and exposure to the elements. ATOPOS cvc is an innovative international cultural organisation working at the fringes of fashion and visual culture. The exhibition was supported by a research grant from RMIT's School of Fashion and Textiles.