You are cordially invited to the exhibition opening
CONTEMPORARY CLERICAL VESTMENTS INSPIRED BY THE ART OF MR AND MRS VURNIK
on Saturday, the 1st of June 2019, in Sivceva Hisa Gallery in Radovljica (Linhartov Trg 22).
The Slovenian Centre for Architecture is running the Vurnik days for the sixth year in a row. Prof Marija Jenko, doc. Mag. Katja Burger Kovič, asist. Mag. Arijana Gadžijev and techonologist Marjeta Čuk led the team of ten students of textile and clothing design to design contemporary clerical vestments inspired by the designs from Mr and Mrs Vurnik. Helena Kottle Vurnik’s work provided the bulk of the inspiration. The students exhibiting are: Karmen Kočevar, Katarina Rus, Kristi Komel, Manca Drusany, Lara Banovec, Rebeka Filipič, Sara Feri, Špela Košir, Ula Pogorevčnik and Neža Dobrovoljc. At the beginning of the project the symbolism of the vestments was explained by the chief secretary to the archbishop Bostjan Prevc. Dr Andrej Prevc explored the work of Mr and Mrs Vurnik and that of Stane Kregar, a painter who elevated the art of clerical vestments to a new level in Slovenia. We also went to see the vestments at the Ljubljana cathedral for inspiration.
Designing the vesments was a creative challenge. There were many different interpretations of the material. Some have been inspired by their childhood experiences, others have found symbolism during the project, but all of them were impressed by the nuance of the work by Mr and Mrs Vurnik. The students recognized the specific geometrical features of current designs and incorporated these into new deisgns. The faculty colaborated with the Society of Lacemakers of Idrija; their members contributed their authentic ideas and fine workmanship. The lace replaces the precious hand-weaving used by Helena Vurnik. It provides authenticity and contrasts digital print an jacquard weaving. The large printed compositions and pattern repetition are a reflection of modern aesthetics. The lace adapted to the abstract patterns enriches the designs and provides tactile texture. It also creates an ornamental three-dimensional work that comes alive under clerical lighting in the setting where it is intended to be worn.
