WHAT IS VESTIPHOBIA?
Photo by jdx
Vestiphobia is a project involving a performance, a workshop and a film series exploring our relationship to fashion, from the mere act of getting dressed, to its socio-economic impact. Under the umbrella of Ideal Glass, the New York art collective, the VESTIPHOBIA team debuted its first international production at Havana Fabrica de Arte - Cuba’s premiere arts complex - in February 2017.
Written by Willard Morgan and directed by Steve Fagin, the performance is a four-act extravaganza of theatre, dance, fashion, film, art, and live Cuban music, exploring the main character’s damaged relationship to clothing. Vestiphobia confronts us with the contradictory nature of our clothing, presented here not only as a necessity but also as a luxury, a shield, and even a weapon. The show combines experimental fashion, video art, music, dance, and autobiographical narrative to entertain and enrich our understanding of clothing through time.
Working in collaboration with young up-and-coming Cuban designers, art director, Uta Bekaia produced sculptural costumes for the performance during a week-long workshop taking place at the Taller Gorria Gallery, in Havana. Curated as a living installation, the workshop was open to the general public in the week preceding the show - and concluded with a conversation with Professor Andrew Ross, from New York University.
VESTIPHOBIA CUBA REVIEWS
THE WORKSHOP - GALERIA TALLER GORRIA
THE PERFORMANCE - FABRICA DE ARTE CUBANO