About Style Imitating Art…
Style Imitating Art comes from Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. Please visit each blog to see their SIA looks. You can think of it as fashion meets art museum! Style Imitating Art challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Every other Monday one of the three selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, they share their outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Salazar chose this week’s art work. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here!
Inspiration art works…
About the artist…
Hubert Duprat is a French artist born in 1957. He began working/experimenting with caddisflies in the 1980s. During an interview, Christian Besson inquired which was the artist…Duprat or the caddisfly. I’m not sure if this was Duprat’s answer, or if it is the summary prepared by Besson. “Is the caddis worm’s precious case the work of the insect or the work of the artist? This is not the right question. The contradiction can be resolved by the differing viewpoints. According to the first view, the caddis worm owed nothing to the artist (who is simply the author of one noise among the thousands of other noises in its environment). According to the second view, the caddis worm is merely the executor of the artist’s project. The artistic statement plays on the confusion of the two levels by overlaying the two perspectives. The aesthetic result (at once natural and artistic) turns the caddis worm’s case—which is more than an assisted ready-made or a diversion—into a doubly exposed object… (source)” This pretty much means you get to choose! Beyond this, I couldn’t find much about the artist.
About the art works…
Caddisflies are found in almost every body of water. They create their shells from materials they can find…small bits of wood, rocks, other organic materials. Basically, Duprat decided to remove the caddis larvae from their protective shells and provide them with precious metals and jewels to see if the caddis larvae would use those materials. Originally, Duprat provided them with gold spangles. He later included turquoise, opals, lapis lazuli, and coral, as well as pearls, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Duprat discovered, after the flies had emerged, other larvae would sometimes take over the encrusted shells left behind and repurpose them. Apparently, some of the larvae were a little more choosy than others! Some didn’t not use these materials at all. That makes me wonder if those larvae just died. Interestingly, caddisflies are a good indicator of healthy water! Polluted water kills them.
My interpretation…
I decided to take the “artistic” route with this challenge. I bought this Rhiannon kimono from Kantha Bae during their warehouse sale. I’ll be honest…it’s a bit much, even for me! But, as I was thinking about this artwork, my mind kept returning to this kimono. It reminds me so much of a butterfly which is an insect that comes out of a chrysalis much like a caddisfly, right? For some reason, the colors, though not exactly the same as the artwork, are organic and just seem right. Once again, I went with a column of color under the kimono. You can’t really tell, but the kimono only closes at the neck with a tie so it’s necessary to wear something under it. I wore a pair of pima leggings and an old tee, both from J Jill. I bought the tee probably 12-15 years ago and the leggings just a couple of years ago. It’s amazing how well they match!
The Lewk!
The minute I saw this SIA challenge, I knew I had the perfect necklace. I chose this gold pearl necklace with the diamond flower from Loft. But, I wanted to add some of the turquoise elements into my lewk. This multi-strand necklace from J Jill was perfect. My gold earrings may be from Stella & Dot, but I’m not sure. Finally, I added these gorgeous sandals from L’Artiste. They not only had turquoise, but they have every other color I’m wearing in them!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Such strange pieces of art, don’t you think? And, yet, they’re so gorgeous! It makes you wonder how someone even thinks to do such a thing…certainly not me! I’m always amazed at the way some people’s minds work! So, can we talk? What do you think? Is Duprat the artist, or are the caddisflies? Are there other artists whose work leaves you thinking, “Huh?” Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise I do respond though it may take me a couple of days.
10 on the 10th reminder…
I do hope you’ll participate in one way or another for April’s 10 on the 10th. There will be a link party as well.
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend with Michelle every Thursday. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Whaa, never heard of this! How interesting and weird at the same time. And I think you interpretated it so good!
So glad you showed us the back of this kimono. It’s stunning! I will love anything that is bejeweled with stones. Lol!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I had no idea what the back would look like, and I just love it! Wouldn’t you love to buy one of those little thingamabobs? I wonder if they ever sell them?
Very interesting art for this one! I think your interpretation was perfect!
Isn’t it amazing? Who would ever think to do such a thing? Thanks so much, Erin!
Love the swishy drama of this look, Marsha! I have to confess that I am easily creeped out by flies so I had to take a pass on this challenge, haha.
Hahaha!!! I was a little grossed out by the video so I didn’t watch but a few seconds of it. Oh, I was hoping the swishy would come through in the photos!
Thanks, Sally!
I like the dress a lot! It is so cheerful and has a glow of freedom over it. And the art is intriguing!
Thanks so much, Mie! I thought this art was amazing!
I love this outfit. So romantic. The colors are beautiful. Turquoise is my favorite color. In fact, I had out front door painted turquoise. The Kimono is gorgeous and I love your sandals. Mind you, I could never wear them as I would slip, twist my ankles, and scrape my hands and knees. I am definitely a flats and straps kind of gal these days.
Thanks so much, Eileen! I really loved the kimono but wasn’t sure if it was a little over the top. Oh, I would love to paint our door turquoise. Unfortunately, we have to have it this greige color…condo standards and all. I am trying to figure out how to add a back strap to these sandals as I do tend to walk right out of them!
I really like the kimono Marsha, I wouldn’t have known it only fastened at the neck, so thanks for that description. The jewellery information was so interesting, I had no idea!
Thanks, Debbie! As I was getting dressed, I thought, “I don’t need anything under this.” Then, I put it on and realized, “Oh, yes, you do!” I loved this challenge!
I just love how you worked the outfit reasoning for the artwork. And it’s always so interesting to learn about the art and artist.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie, I think! This kimono just seemed the right thing for this art work…especially after I added the jewelry. Wasn’t that art work wild…figuratively and literally?
Guess who just scored a pair of L’Artise sandals at a thrift store for $3.99? ME ME ME
I love your shoes and boots, but they are slightly out of my budget.
Woohoo, Kathy!!! Way to go! OK, I have to ask this…you aren’t the Kathy Elliott I go to church with, are you? I mean, that would be just too funny! Anyway, I am so happy for you! What did you get???
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That youtube video was fascinating! It’s really an interesting process! Very creative of the artist to try that, too. I think your kimono is a gorgeous ‘shell’ for you! 😉 I thought it was a dress at first! The colors are stunning!
Wasn’t it amazing? I am just gobsmacked someone would even think to do that. Thanks so much, Laura!
You know I am dying over your kimono! And you know, if it ever gets to be really too much for you, I can take it off your hands! Haha. I did get myself two amazing Kantha pieces on my trip that I still need to share! I love that you chose this piece for this challenge. It really does speak to the thrifty nature of those caddisflies who will repurpose old casings. I mean, that is what Kantha Bae does, repurposes old clothing into new more beautiful clothing! And how perfect are those sandals with the kimono. You rock, my friend! Fabulous outfit and super fun post.
Shelbee
Hahaha!!! I think I will wear it for a good long bit! It has really grown on me as I looked through the photos! I can’t wait to see what you got! I was hoping my kimono would work as it just seemed like it should!
Thanks, my friend!
These works of art are incredible…I’ve never seen anything like it before! They’re rather cute little creatures up close. Your kimono is absolutely beautiful and I love the jewellery you’ve added. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thanks so much, Emma! Aren’t the artworks fabulous? I wonder if they’ve ever created any to sell. Thank you for hosting!
Wow, I love your kimono-this was so perfect for this challenge. Gorgeous!!!!!
Thanks so much, Terri! I know it wasn’t the right colors, but I could just see it as being right!
This is so pretty Marsha, I do like the style and length and think it works so much nice than a cardigan in warmer weather. Thanks for sharing and have a super week. Jacqui x
Thanks so much, Jacqui! I really like it, too!
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