Lace in Translation and The International Lace Award

Lace, or Lace Design, is getting a fantastic reception at the moment. There are two wonderful events - Lace in Translation, which is an exhibition currently showing in the The Design Center at Philadelphia University, USA and The International Lace Award, an open submission competition and exhibition which will take place in The Powerhouse Museum,  in July 2011

Lace In Translation, USA

September 24th 2009 - April 3rd 2010

We rarely post photographs without direct permission, but we have to include one from the Lace in Translation exhibition. Lace Fence Galvanized PVC-coated wire Demakersvan, 2009 16 panels: Overall Length: 152 feet; Height: 6.5 feet  

You can see more stunning images here

Lace in Translation is new exhibition of contemporary work that explores the intersection of luxurious hand-craftsmanship with modern, mass production. The University's historic Quaker Lace Company collection is the inspiration for three internationally-renowned artists and designers reconsidering conventional notions of lace. 

European designers Tord Boontje and Demakersvan, and Canadian artist Cal Lane have created installations specifically for TDC’s unique and intimate space – a 1950s era, Hollywood-style ranch house, situated on the edge of Fairmount Park.

From the intricacy of a handwoven raffia curtain, to the industrial art forms of laser-cut fabrics, a welded filigree oil tank, and a lace chain-link fence, Lace in Translation plays with the concept of lace, utilizing unexpected materials and new technologies to transform the Center’s grounds and galleries. As part of the nation’s oldest textile school, TDC’s historic textile collection features many artifacts from Philadelphia’s pinnacle as a national center for textile design and manufacturing. The Center’s lace collection includes some 150 machine-made lace samples and marketing materials from the Quaker Lace Company of Philadelphia.  TDC also houses an extraordinary collection of hundreds of original design sketches by Quaker Lace designer Frederick Charles Vessey (1862-1948).

More information about the exhibition can be found on www.laceintranslation.com

The International Lace Award

The International Lace Award seeks to encourage contemporary design and challenge conventional notions of lace and its application in the areas of fashion, the built environment and digital multimedia.

Professional and amateur artists, designers and practitioners around the world are invited to enter for the chance to be exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum and win a share of $40,000 (Australian dollars) in prize money.

The Award defines lace as an openwork structure whose pattern of spaces is as important as the solid areas. Approximately 30 works will be selected for consideration for exhibition in July 2011. The selected entrants will have time to develop their proposed work from May until November 2010. Prize money winners will be announced at the opening of the exhibition in July 2011. In addition to the overall winner receiving $20,000 (Australian dollars). Five winners will receive $4000 (Australian dollars) each across the following categories:

• Traditional techniques 
• Fashion 
• Built environment
• Digital multi media
• Tertiary students in Australia and New Zealand
  

Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 29 March 2010 strictly by 5.00pm AEST.

More information can be found on www.powerhousemuseum.com/lace/

Cassandra Hand Summer School of Lace, Co. Monaghan

We have also heard the first set of dates for the Cassandra Hand Summer School of Clones Lace has been set for 24th - 27th of June 2010. More info to follow...