Project Gaudi: An Exploration of Texture and Form opens to the public Monday, November 4, 2013, at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery. In her thesis collection, Adrienne Anderson uses textile manipulation to create innovative surface textures and forms inspired by Antoni Gaudi. Antoni Gaudi was a Spanish architect who lived from 1852 to 1926. His work in Barcelona is considered to this day some of the most innovative architecture of the art nouveau style. Characterized by sweeping curves and fanciful pattern work, his creations have been astounding tourists and scholars alike for decades. Though his work is considered masterful now, during his lifetime he did not always receive the acclaim he deserved and was often depressed over harsh critiques of his work. Through everything, however, he maintained a standard of perfectionism and reworked designs hundreds of times until he was satisfied. He was hit by a streetcar during work on his most famous building, the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral that is still under construction to this day, following his original plans. Work on the building is funded entirely by tourists and private donations, proving that a love for Gaudi’s work still lives on today.

Dr. Barbara Trout serves as major advisor for Adrienne Anderson. This collection, the designer says “seeks to represent the identity of his work through both the fanciful and dark attitudes of his life.” Surface design is a big part of what makes Gaudi’s work so unique, so the designer went out of her way to use uncommon methods of ornamentation and manipulation. There are both experimental and Ready-to-Wear looks in the complete collection, though only the experimental garments will be on display for this exhibit, as they better represent the inspiration of Gaudi’s vision. The works selected for inspiration in this collection include: Gaudi’s ironwork lampposts, Casa Vicens, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, the Dragon Gate of Palau Guell, Palau Guell, Park Guell, and the Sagrada Familia. The designer encourages you to research images of these incredible works before or after viewing the exhibition.

Part of the research for this project was the examination of change in identity of a garment from movement on a runway to static in a gallery. A fashion show of the collection was held in October and a video of the show will be running in the gallery to provide evidence of this contrast to the viewer. The exhibition runs until November 22, 2013.

The Hillestad Gallery is part of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska. The gallery is on the second floor of the Home Economics Building on East Campus, on 35th Street north of East Campus Loop (map at http://go.unl.edu/j5v). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. Guest parking is available near the building and metered stalls are located in the Nebraska East Union lot. For more information, call (402) 472-2911 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu.