Course Description
Summary
Taught by visiting faculty Michael Sylvan Robinson ‘89, internationally exhibited genderqueer fiber artist and activist, this seven week module provides opportunities to develop costume and fashion designs with a focus on “beyond binary” expressions in clothing. We’ll research and recognize the people wearing and creating clothing that resists restrictive gendered "norms" of past history and today. Our first sessions will focus on developing fashion illustrations and renderings for transgender, non-binary, all gender or gender neutral, genderfluid, drag or gender nonconforming clothing (on-paper designs). Our final project will draw inspiration from the art dolls created by influential transgender artist, Greer Lankton (1958-1996), studying how these interdisciplinary works combine fiber art and clothing, queer histories, photography and installation. Lankton’s haunting, glamorous handcrafted dolls portray iconic fashion and NYC nightlife of the 80’s figures, as well as Lankton’s own journey of embodiment and transformation represented by an autobiographical doll, Sissy. Final class sessions will include studio time to design and create “beyond the binary” art fashion dolls with a culminating salon-style or “tea party” community sharing. No sewing machine skills are required for this course.
Please note: Students interested in this intensive module should consider their weekend rehearsal schedules carefully. Class meeting times may conflict with weekend technical rehearsal and or performance times of the senior dance concert, drama faculty directed production, and/or senior music concerts; though still expected to do all assigned work, students will be excused from class meetings that conflict with technical rehearsal or performance obligations for upcoming College performances.
Course dates and hours:
Sunday, April 16: 11:00AM-2:00PM
Saturday, April 22: 12:00PM-4:00PM
Sunday, April 23: 9:30AM-12:30PM
Sunday, May 7: 11:00AM-3:00PM (on zoom)
Saturday, May 20: 12:00PM-4:00PM
Sunday, May 21: 11:00AM-2:00PM
Saturday, May 27: 12:00PM-4:00PM
Sunday, May 28: 10:00AM-2:00PM
