SVA Art History 101: A Brush With Fashion

Art History 101: A Brush With Fashion

An installation of 21 art history-themed dresses on Madison Avenue from East 61 Street to East 77 Street

The School of Visual Arts and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) have a long relationship due largely to the public exhibitions produced by artist, designer and 3D Design Chair Kevin O’Callaghan and his students, which are frequently on view along the famous street. Past SVA 3D Design–Madison Avenue BID collaborations include “Hemlines From Skylines: Architectural Fashion,” “Obsessorize,” “One of a Kind,” and “Barkitecture.”

The latest exhibition, now on view, is “Art History 101: A Brush With Fashion,” a series of art history-themed installations created by 21 BFA Design students in O’Callaghan’s class, as well as students of Dr. Carol Bentel, chair of Interior Design at SVA. Each student’s piece is showcased within an eight-foot Lucite case and features descriptions of the period of art history for which the “dress” was inspired. Art periods/movements featured include Analytical Cubism, Ancient Greek, Arte Povera, Arts & Crafts, Baroque, Bauhaus, Brutalism, Cubism, Dada, Gothic, Impressionism, Outsider Art, Pop Art, Sumi-E and Surrealism.

O’Callaghan said he loves the idea of people being out and about and just running into some art. “Rather than having to go to a gallery or go to an exhibition, the idea that they turn the corner and there’s a piece of art and can maybe bring a little happiness to them, or get them thinking.”

“We have received so many comments from both our retailers and Upper East Side residents about how these SVA installations enhance the experience of visiting Madison Avenue, said Matthew Bauer, President of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. “We deeply appreciate the creativity of the SVA’s students, and we are honored by our longstanding partnership with one of the great arts institutions in the world.”

“Art History 101: A Brush With Fashion” is on view along Madison Avenue between East 61st and East 77th Streets through the end of May.