Lincoln (Neb.) - Dec. 3, 1997 - "Language in Lace" will be spoken at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery when an exhibit of heirloom lace prized and protected from one generation to another is showcased from Dec. 15 through Jan. 30.
The exhibit includes many examples of such lace including a geometrically patterned infant's gown from 1850, a delicate black Chantilly lace shawl and a 96-year-old lace bride's handkerchief owned by the late Addie A. Gladstone of Omaha. A Christian Dior lace evening gown from about 1950 also will be featured in the "Language in Lace" exhibit.
Although lace originated as early as the 16th century, it is receiving renewed appreciation today through use by fashion designers including Donna Karan, John Galiono and the late Gianni Versace. But what accounts for the timeless popularity of the textile?
"It has to do with the intricate design and delicacy of it. Lace has a transparent, very delicate quality. The designs can be quite complex and there is that air of allurement because one can see through it," says Barbara Trout, associate professor of textiles, clothing and design and co-curator of the show.
In addition to the renewed enthusiasm for lace, there is also a resurgence in lacemaking, says co-curator Kathleen Rotella, who earned her master of arts degree from the university's textiles, clothing and design department and is the president of Living Lace, an Omaha lacemakers group.
In conjunction with the exhibit, volunteers from that organization and the Lincoln Lacemakers Guild will demonstrate lacemaking from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 18 in the gallery. Lace handmade by members of both groups also will be displayed.
The "Language in Lace" exhibition is a collaborative effort including the historic costume collection at UNL's textiles, clothing and design department and textiles housed at the Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. Portions of the exhibit also stem from a previous exhibit curated by Rotella at the Historic General Dodge House in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Another contributor to the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery lace exhibition is the Washington County Museum in Fort Calhoun. The museum has loaned a handmade lace dress that was created from 100 spools of cotton sewing thread when thread was sold for a nickel a spool. The dress evokes nostalgia for simpler times and was made in 1886 by 18-year-old Charlotte Moore for a Fourth of July celebration.
"Language in Lace" is intended to educate viewers about the various types of hand and machine-made laces and to explain the impact lace had in women's fashion in the 19th and 20th centuries. The current national popularity of lacemaking also will be brought into focus through the exhibit, Trout said.
Located on the second floor of the Home Economics Building
on East Campus, the gallery is open Monday through Thursday from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be open Friday and other times by
special arrangement by calling (402) 472-2911. The gallery will
be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 4 during the university's
holiday break.
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