Episode 67 | Grace Wales Bonner and Horace Ballard
Apr 23, 2024
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Grace Wales Bonner, an acclaimed fashion designer and curator known for her explorations of clothing and art, joins Horace Ballard, curator of American Art at Harvard, for a thought-provoking dialogue. They discuss the ethical dimensions of design and the profound role of intentionality in artistic creation. The conversation dives into how personal experiences and cultural heritage shape both art and fashion, and they examine the evocative interplay of sound and visual mediums. Additionally, photography's relationship with identity and transformation is revealed as a key theme.
Grace Wales Bonner and Horace Ballard discuss how 'spirit' in art serves as a conduit for emotional engagement and intention.
Wales Bonner emphasizes the importance of intimacy in design, highlighting how relationships inspire deeper narratives within her creations.
Deep dives
Exploration of Spirit in Art and Design
The conversation delves into the concept of 'spirit' as an intangible but influential quality in art and design. Grace Wales Bonner and Horace Ballard discuss how spirit manifests through material forms and the creative process, emphasizing that it connects various elements within an artwork or clothing piece. They use Terry Atkinson’s work, particularly 'The Last Trumpet,' as a pivotal example of how spirit can animate artistic expression, presenting an extraordinary scale meant to elevate the viewer's experience. This exploration reveals that spirit serves as a conduit for deeper emotional engagement, prompting both the creator and audience to consider the layers of intention behind artistic creation.
Intimacy and Intentionality in Creative Practices
Wales Bonner highlights the significance of intimacy in her design work, illustrating how close relationships with models and collaborators inform her creations. She expresses that clothing is not just functional but embodies the intention and narratives woven into its fabric, promoting a deeper connection to the body. Ballard echoes this sentiment by reflecting on how intentionality shapes his curatorial practices, linking the process of creation with an ethical mindset. Together, they articulate a vision of art and fashion that fosters personal relationships and thoughtful encounters, celebrating the act of making as a profound sharing of spirit.
The Interplay of Sound and Visual Art
The discussion turns to the relationship between sound and visual art, exploring how auditory experiences can influence the perception of visual aesthetics. Wales Bonner talks about her fascination with capturing sound through materiality and form, indicating that various textures in her designs evoke sonic qualities, reminiscent of genres like Jamaican dancehall and disco. Both creatives emphasize a synesthetic approach to understanding art, where the blending of different sensory experiences allows for deeper engagement and empathy. This perspective invites the audience to appreciate how temporal and spatial elements intersect through both sound and imagery, enriching the overall artistic experience.
Acclaimed fashion designer and curator Grace Wales Bonner is joined by the scholar and curator Horace D. Ballard. In a wide ranging conversation on art and fashion, they unpack the nuances of style, medium, and intentionality in art.
In addition to her brand Wales Bonner, Grace Wales Bonner’s curatorial exhibitions include A Time For New Dreams, Serpentine Galleries London (2019) and Artist’s Choice - Spirit Movers at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (2023) with accompanying publication Dream in the Rhythm: Visions of Sound and Spirit in the MoMA Collection (2023). Grace is currently leading a four-year research project, titled Between Critique and Hope, at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.