skirtcafe.org

The Corpus Delicti exhibition of contemporary art that is being staged in the grandiose setting of the Brussels law courts (Palais de Justice) includes this exhibit. I can't tell you much more about it apart from the fact that it is by Emilio Lopez-Menchero and is called “M. le géant”. However I thought others here may be interested and able to shed further light on the artist and work.

Have fun,


Ian.

Hunh, Mr. Giant wears a hoop skirt. Haven't seen that style at the cafe before. I'm liking that exhibition, they did a great job of placement, which I read was part of their intent, such as “M. le géant” on that tile star and the crime scene style body outline at the bottom of the stairs. Very fun find, Ian!

That's not a hoop skirt. It's not even as full as a peasant skirt. It's much like most of the skirts at Midas Skirt company. It's like a wider A-line. If that were a hoop skirt you'd be able to see the impression of the hoops on the inside and it would be lots wider at the hem. It would stay full with or without petticoats under it.

Here's pictures of women in hoop skirts.

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=hoop+skirts&pa ... optoc.html

Well, it looks like a narrow hoop skirt, there are at least three rings within it. On closer inspection what I thought was a black patch seems to be a barred sort of window. I'd wondered why the hoops were used and now I think it is to hold the skirt open inside without padding because there is something to see in there. Anybody going to see it in person who can investigate for me? Could be a whole diorama in there!

Skirt Chaser wrote:Well, it looks like a narrow hoop skirt, there are at least three rings within it. On closer inspection what I thought was a black patch seems to be a barred sort of window. I'd wondered why the hoops were used and now I think it is to hold the skirt open inside without padding because there is something to see in there. Anybody going to see it in person who can investigate for me? Could be a whole diorama in there!

The original picture gives no idea of scale however this picture suggests it is about 12 feet tall and that the barred window is not to allow folks to look in, but to allow someone to wear the piece and see where they are walking...

Have fun,


Ian.

I think this art work follows a tradition of giants which you quite often see in parades in Belgium.
Indeed, the window is for the person inside to look out while they walk along. I think the only reason they really wear skirts is that that makes it a lot easier to fit someone inside than a pair of trousers would...

For example, here are some more pictures of other similar giants, with male characters wearing skirts:

http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images_v2/ ... 4e4584.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/4kbn65

http://www.ath.be/db/aig/gallery.asp?ac ... =&shownew=

http://www.schaerbeekladynamique.info/sld/?p=106


Often the figures have a medieval or costumed appearance anyway, so the skirt is less out of the ordinary than with this modern one in his shirt and tie.

Anyway, it looks an interesting exhibition, I'll try and get along to the Palais de Justice to see it.

The second link "tinyurl" says "webpage cannot be found"..the others are interesting tho.

these costumes require a skirted costume. otherwise the person "wearing" it can't move freely.

Since1982 wrote:The second link "tinyurl" says "webpage cannot be found"..the others are interesting tho.

ah, really it still works for me... don't know what the problem is there then.
It's not a big deal if you can't see it, it doesn't add much more on top of what the others show.