Feathers, Flowers and Frocks

Spring arrives at the de Young Museum every year in the form of a botanical homage to art. More than 125 of the Bay Area’s most innovative floral designers will present spectacular arrangements in response to pieces in the museum’s permanent collection as well as the architecture. The floral arrangements highlight works in American art to the 20th century, international contemporary art, art of the ancient Americas and Native American art. Get a lesson in art history by following the flowers at this week-long exhibition, Bouquets to Art.

Bouquets has become a most cherished San Francisco tradition for both art and flower devotees. This year the floral designers will also draw inspiration from the special exhibition, Oscar de la Renta, The Retrospective. That’s no coincidence since de la Renta was a passionate gardener, and the inspiration from his gardens is evident in the colors, prints and embellishments of his clothing designs.

Oscar de la Renta, The Retrospective continues the Fine Arts Museums’ commitment to presenting fashion as art. A romanticist, de la Renta’s goal in creating garments was to make a woman feel wonderful about herself. On view are masterpieces of clothing design representing nearly six decades of his work. Inspired by Chinese embroidery, Indian textiles, Uzbek and Kazakh Ikat patterned cloths, Japanese woodblock prints, and traditional Russian fabrics and ornamentation, de la Renta’s designs are beautifully achieved.

For a different kind of “wearable art,” be sure to see Royal Hawaiian Featherwork, now extended through April 10. This exhibition of more than 75 examples of featherwork from the late 18th to early 20th century includes cloaks and capes, royal staffs, lei and helmets, alongside related paintings and works on paper. For centuries, feathers from vibrantly colored birds were considered valuable cultural resources on the Hawaiian Islands. Painstakingly constructed by hand, these garments symbolized divinity, power and protection for the royals who wore them.

And there’s more: ARTWEAR at the de Young on April 29th and 30th presents a special opportunity to meet contemporary Bay Area artisans working in textiles and jewelry, and to shop their one-of-a-kind collections. Welcome spring!

Bouquets to Art, April 5–10

Oscar de la Renta, The Retrospective, through May 30

Royal Hawaiian Featherwork, through April 10

ARTWEAR at the de Young, April 29 & 30

www.deyoung.famsf.org

Images courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco