Nick Cave’s Soundsuits on Display at Mary Boone Gallery in Chelsea

Can’t get into any fashion week shows? Well, check out some wearable creations that are probably way more innovative than anything you’ll see at Lincoln Center this week. Nick Cave’s awesome/colorful/completely wacky “soundsuits” are on display in an installation called For Now at Mary Boone Gallery in Chelsea. Not only are Cave’s fabric sculptures like a giant hot fudge sundae for the the eyes (and by that I mean a major treat), Chelsea galleries are FREE and usually uncrowded, which is a glorious change of scene from places like MoMA.

Part Where the Wild Things Are, part “your hoarder grandma’s knitting closet gone wild,” and part “neon witch doctor Dead Head,” Cave takes everyday objects such as sticks, sock monkeys, and pipe cleaners and makes them into massive, otherworldly costumes that he places on mannequins modelled after his own body. The pros at Mary Boone Gallery have displayed about 10 of these figures in a circus-ring like formation that transforms the formerly-stodgy gallery space into a PT Barnum-like freak show. The result combines my favorite 3 F’s: freaks, fashion, and FREE. As far as this lady is concerned, these are the only three qualities ever needed for a good time.

Crazy outfits that use everyday objects to question class, race, and gender norms? I mean, this seems more interesting than going to a fashion show where you may see Anna Wintour, a Real Housewife, or a bunch of maxi skirts. Or maybe it’s not. But too bad, you’re not on the list for the fashion party, you broke-ass. Go get your culture where they can’t turn away the Little People.

Nick Cave, For Now
September 10th- October 22nd, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm
FREE
Mary Boone Gallery (541 W. 24th St. btn 10th and 11th Aves)
[Chelsea]

Photo credit: Mary Boone Gallery