Member Article

Students and stores to showcase style for #wearmima

STUDENTS and retail stores from across the region will be showing off their style and love of wearable art in support of #wearmima on Saturday, May 5.

Students from Stockton Riverside College, Cleveland College of Art and Design and Middlesbrough College will be showcasing their own wearable art, including jewellery and accessories, as part of the #wearmima project.

Middlesbrough-based mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) is giving members of the public a unique opportunity to wear jewellery from its extraordinary collection, which is never normally worn, and have the chance of being featured on The Space.

At a special selection day at mima in Centre Square on May 5 between noon and 3pm members of the public are invited to view the jewellery and state on camera why they would like to wear their favourite exhibit. A limited number of people will then be invited to return to mima in mid-May to film a haul video blog while wearing the jewellery, which will be broadcast online around the world.

On the selection day students will be promoting #wearmima in Middlesbrough town centre and encouraging people to make their way to mima by showcasing their own creations in shop windows.

The students are currently creating their fashion pieces, which will be modelled by real life mannequins, also students, in Top Shop, New Look and Debenhams. All of the shops have provided their window space free of charge to support #wearmima.

The three stores plus Psyche are also allowing filming of ‘haul’ videos to be done in the shops on the day. Haul videos have become a recent fashion phenomenon whereby people post videos online showing off their purchases to a global audience.

Rachel French, development manager at mima, said: “We are delighted with how the whole community is getting behind the #wearmima project. Thanks to the support there is sure to be a hive of activity on the selection day not only in mima but also in Middlesbrough town centre.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support of high street stores and the passion from students, who are not only designing and creating their own wearable art but also modelling it and encouraging the public to visit mima.”

Students from Stockton Riverside College will also be filming some of the activity in the town centre and providing hair and make-up touch-ups for people wanting to do a screen test at mima so they look their best on camera.

Nicola Rowling, curriculum leader of art and design at Stockton Riverside College, said: “This is a great opportunity for up and coming artists and designers to show case their work and I know they are very excited about taking part.”

mima is one of 53 successful UK applicants for Arts Council funding to make content which will be available on The Space, a pioneering on-demand digital service run in partnership with the BBC.

The Space is a new way to experience the arts. For six months, running from May to October 2012, The Space will showcase some of the most exciting arts events across the UK, giving audiences access to these events through computers, tablets, smart phones or connected TV.

Featuring live performances, specially created digital events, full length productions, behind the scenes documentaries and interactive content, The Space is all about breaking boundaries and creating a totally new way for the public and artists to engage.

With free on demand content from some of the most respected and innovative names in the UK arts scene, The Space offers a glimpse for the future, where great art can be experienced when you want it, wherever you are.

For more information about #wearmima and the selection day on May 5 please visit http://www.visitmima.com or contact Rachel French on Rachel_french@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Morrison .