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Mind, Mythos, Muse, an Alexander McQueen exhibition: Truely an immersive experience.

NGV's Alexander McQueen exhibition: Mind Mythos Muse, has been in the recent spotlight these last few months bringing yet another amazing fashion experience to Melbourne.


While McQueens unique style may not be for everyone, my experience was definitely something I will remember for years to come.


Posing Mannequins for the Alexander McQueen exhibition.

Photo credit: Faith Bugeja

 

My history with fashion:


For my 20 years of living I have never really been into fashion. Maybe that's why my first time experiencing a fashion exhibition was so captivating for me.


Or perhaps McQueens unique fashion display is truely the reason behind my immersive experience.


The main and probably only reason I saw this exhibition is because my mum works at the NGV art gallery, and being her daughter comes with perks.


I actually saw the exhibition early January this year.


I was able to see it for free thanks to my mum, when for others it is usually a $30 cost for the average adult.


So I am thankful that my mum got a job at an art gallery.


She encourages me to go and visit her work occasionally which has started to increase not only my interest, but my appreciation towards the various kinds of artworks artists have created.

 

A moment of appreciation:


From the music to the lighting, the entire presentation of McQueens exhibition was brilliant.


The combined effort of not only McQueen for creating these enigmatic yet captivating displays, but also the workers at NGV who helped put all of this together should be acknowledged.


While McQueen is gone, he may or may not have intended the set up to be this particular way....


In my personal opinion, I couldn't have imagined it any better. So thank you to the NGV staff who helped set it all up.

 

What was it about the exhibition that made it so captivating?


The first thing I remember seeing was a lot of red and then a lot of white. To me it was symbolising the theme of demons and angels, death and life.


The screens behind each of the displayed costumes played an important part in reflecting the intended meanings and messages.


On the theme of demons and death side the screens were displaying strong shades of red giving an almost lava and fire like feel (giving the atmosphere of being in hell).


On the side portraying the theme of angels and life, the screens were displaying unmissable spread out angel like wings.


The choice of music was also extraordinary. At first you hear dark and sinister background music playing when one side lights up, and then you start to hear sweet and melodic music play when the other side lights up and the wings spread out.


The combined effort of both lighting and sound was well put together and worth the praise.


I was left with curiosity about what theme I would see next as I walked around each corner.


More outfits from the Mind, Mythos, Muse exhibition.

Photo credit: Faith Bugeja


 

My most memorable and favourite moment in the entire exhibition:


The exhibition wasn't only consisting of various different styled costumes, but also displaying one of the most iconic moments in fashion history.


As I walked into the next room of more of McQueens mesmerising artworks, I saw a another screen. This time it was a video of the interaction between a woman and robots....


This was from the Alexander McQueen 1999 'Spring collection', one of his previous works.

Of course at the time I didn't have any background knowledge on what I was watching.


All I knew was that fashion can go beyond the term of just 'art', it can create a whole new perspective on reality.


I found myself so deeply immersed into the screen and artwork itself that when I finished watching it for the third time my mum and her friends had already walked further on.


I was lost in the moment. Unaware of my surroundings. I felt as if I had front row tickets.


Something about the atmosphere made me feel like I was sucked into the screen and watching as that iconic moment was taking place. Just me, Shalom Harlow, and the spray painting robots.


You can go into further research on this iconic piece in fashion history just as I did. I started to feel more knowledgable and interested in fashion as I was finding things about this piece.

For example, it was fascinating to learn that it was all unrehearsed.


 

Other key touches to his artworks:


The themes behind McQueens displays are drawn from his past and "romanticised historical references" with themes ranging from tradition and discovery to persecution and power.

"McQueen frequently challenged traditional ideals of beauty through disruptive designs that transformed fashion industry standards." - National Gallery of Victoria
 

Other fascinating key touches to the artworks were that some of them moved. I remember one that had butterflies moving around the head of one of the mannequins. Although it wasn't that noticeable to us at first.... You don't really see it unless you are actually stopping to appreciate and examine the artwork.


A couple of other mannequins with costumes also had things moving around in their area like crows for example. I thought these were nice key touches to keep the viewers attention as we walk towards the end of the exhibition.

 

Climate Change:

If you are interested in themes such as climate change then you might enjoy this exhibition. Towards the end I saw a few outfits that made me think of the environment.

I'm not entirely sure if that is what they are meant to represent but from my point of view and culture that is what I interpreted. I will be curious to see if others interpret them in the same way I did or if you view it as depicting some other theme.

McQueens artwork creating a frosty like atmosphere.

Photo credit: Faith Bugeja

 

Conclusion:


Overall I really enjoyed this experience.


There was emotion, a range of different themes, and an immersive atmosphere all throughout the exhibition.


It's the type of exhibition that leaves you wanting to know more.


I honestly believe artworks like this can have an influence over people.

It can uncover things people never knew about themselves and potentially lead them on the path to the ever changing fashion industry.


.......


What I got out of this exhibition was a memorable experience with fashion, and a Mind, Mythos, Muse poster to hang on my wall.


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