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Happy December, BGC Community!
As the semester draws to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some recent Study Collection news. In early September, comedian, storyteller, and musician River L. Ramirez curated and activated objects from our Study Collection for their event Playtime, which was part of PH+R’s Wednesdays@BGC series. River viewed over 100 objects in preparation for this lively evening. Also in September, our Design team launched “Study Collection Sundays,” a new series of social media posts featuring fun facts about objects from our Study Collection. Be sure to check BGC’s Instagram account for these weekly highlights! Finally, in October, BGC’s DEAI working group hosted a Latinx Heritage Month Community Hour in celebration of Latinx, Hispanic, and Latino-identified communities around the world. MA students RJ Maupin, Daniela Diaz-Blancarte, Nishtha Dan, and Gabriela Valencia each gave presentations on a group of Latinx objects, which were then displayed in the 3rd-floor alcove at 38W.
Left: Playtime with River L. Ramirez. Sept. 11, 2024. Lecture Hall.
Right: Latinx Heritage Month Community Hour featuring H. Stern silver ring and earrings by Campana Brothers and H. Stern gold ring created in collaboration with Carlinhos Brown. Oct. 8, 2024. Seminar Room.
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ALÁRA BOUTIQUE GIFT
In spring 2024 we acquired over 30 contemporary objects designed/created by makers from Africa and/or the African diaspora from the Brooklyn Museum Shop’s pop-up “Alára Boutique.” Alára is a Lagos-based concept/lifestyle store that curated the pop-up as part of the Brooklyn Museum’s presentation of the exhibition Africa Fashion (June 23–October 22, 2023). BGC visiting faculty member and Brooklyn Museum Africa Fashion organizer Annissa Malvoisin hand-selected items from the Alára Boutique for our Study Collection at the request of our director, Susan Weber, who donated them to us. Objects include such items as a chandelier made from tomato cans by Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj and several examples of “Shellegance” glazed stoneware pieces by South African maker Lucie de Moyencourt. A display of these objects is currently on view in the Object Lab. Come take a look next time you’re on the 3rd floor!
Left: Hassan Hajjaj, artist/maker (Moroccan, b. 1961). Chandelier Jelly Fish. Upcycled tomato cans. Gift of Susan Weber.
Right: Alára Boutique display featuring Lucie de Moyencourt “Shellegance” shell and Nammu utensil holder. Object Lab.
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TEXTILES GIFT
In August and October, we received a collection of 18–20th century textiles from Gina Bianco, a renowned textile conservator and couture milliner. A large portion of the gift is 20th-century fabric swatches, something that until now was not well-represented in our collection. Bianco gave a fascinating Fiber Workshop for the BGC community last month and we plan to continue our partnership in the form of future donations and hands-on textile experiences for students. Please join us for a furnishing fabric workshop in the spring (date to be announced).
Left: Silk fine faille and silver metal embroidered brocade, 20th century. European (French or Italian). Ornella’s Gift.
Right: Study Collection Manager Barb Elam with a circa 2006 silk with gold lurex thread fabric sample made for Christopher Hyland for his NYC showroom. Ornella’s Gift.
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Other selected new acquisitions:
- Three Hutley & Palmers biscuit tins, British, late 18th–early 19th century, donated by Phil Sarrel
- Daniel Clayman (American, b. 1957) cast glass piece from Lantern series (second), donated by the artist and Terry Clayman
- Embroidered Chinese jacket, ca. 1900–25, donated by Marta Hanson
- George & Co. (London) leatherwork sample book and accompanying booklet, donated by Martin & Patricia Levy
- Japanese Over Robe (Uchikake), purchased in Tokyo in 1985, donated by Amitabha and Isha Bhattacharyya
- Two collections of dolls and several costumes,and Lam de Wolf (Dutch, b. 1949) scarf and head form, designed ca. 1980, from the Helen Williams Drutt Family Collection
- Congolese and Ashanti stools, Indonesian bells, Chinese Song Dynasty pot, and other items, promised gift from Susan M. Yecies
MA Student R.J. Maupin with a Daniel Clayman second from his Lantern series, ca. 2017. Cast glass. Gift of the artist and Terry Clayman.
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Viewing Objects
The Study Collection is open for object viewing and can be accessed most weekdays. Please contact barb.elam@bgc.bard.edu or group.library@bgc.bard.edu for an appointment.
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COPY AND PASTE CODE BELOW TO MAILCHIMP
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