Speaking Through Style: The Lasting Impact of Helena Modjeska's Costuming
Permanent Exhibition at Orange County Parks Arden: Helena Modjeska Historical Home and Gardens
2017
Abstract
On May 20th, 2017, I presented an exhibition at Orange County Park’s Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House on the costumes and designs of 19th century actress, Helena Modjeska.
I curated an exhibition in the Arden house’s sewing room by mounting photographs, didactic information, and costumes pieces from the UCI Special Collections. The goal was to both permanently update the room and mount a temporary exhibition with loaned items for a one month duration. I presented my research in a public slideshow talk at Arden on the day of opening, May 20th, followed by a tour of the exhibition. I designed a catalogue of my research in print with photographs and a brochure for guests and docent training with a summary of information vital to understanding Modjeska as a costume designer.
The focus of the exhibition was Modjeska’s creative process as a costume designer. I presented costume photographs and costume remnant photographs to offer a comparison between Modjeska’s work and 19th century stage costume history, trends, and fashion. My central thesis was: Modjeska became one of the major stage icons of the 19th century with her evocative expression of character and her creative breakthroughs in theatrical design. I explained her choices in her stage costumes, and her fusion of both historical reference and 19th century current fashion in order to appeal to audiences and create new imaginative stage experiences. Focusing on costumes of her well known roles, I interpreted Modjeska’s merits and lasting theatrical impact as a costume designer.
Permanent Exhibition at Orange County Parks Arden: Helena Modjeska Historical Home and Gardens
2017
Abstract
On May 20th, 2017, I presented an exhibition at Orange County Park’s Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House on the costumes and designs of 19th century actress, Helena Modjeska.
I curated an exhibition in the Arden house’s sewing room by mounting photographs, didactic information, and costumes pieces from the UCI Special Collections. The goal was to both permanently update the room and mount a temporary exhibition with loaned items for a one month duration. I presented my research in a public slideshow talk at Arden on the day of opening, May 20th, followed by a tour of the exhibition. I designed a catalogue of my research in print with photographs and a brochure for guests and docent training with a summary of information vital to understanding Modjeska as a costume designer.
The focus of the exhibition was Modjeska’s creative process as a costume designer. I presented costume photographs and costume remnant photographs to offer a comparison between Modjeska’s work and 19th century stage costume history, trends, and fashion. My central thesis was: Modjeska became one of the major stage icons of the 19th century with her evocative expression of character and her creative breakthroughs in theatrical design. I explained her choices in her stage costumes, and her fusion of both historical reference and 19th century current fashion in order to appeal to audiences and create new imaginative stage experiences. Focusing on costumes of her well known roles, I interpreted Modjeska’s merits and lasting theatrical impact as a costume designer.
