July 24, 2008
'Superheroes' at the Met
Spidey invades the Met.
Superheroes are big these days thanks to blockbusters like "Iron Man." But what works on the big screen doesn't work as well in the halls of an art museum.
The "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" at the Constume Insitute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is no exception. In theory, it's a really interesting idea: taking the tropes of superhero costumes -- their function in transforming, enhancing, identifying or hiding the body -- and looking at how they are applied in real world fashion. And the wall text accompanying each display is a thoughtful examination of the surprisingly complicated issues of identity, gender politics, social isolation and body dysmorphism confronted by comics and, to some degree, fashion.
The presentation, however, is as simple as taking a movie costume and surrounding it with dresses and suits of a similar aesthetic. Like all fashion gambits, some work better than others.
The Spider-Man display, for example, showcases some gorgeous dresses employing a spiderweb motif alongside Tobey Maguire's "Spider-Man 3" outfit on a mannequin in an action pose.
By contrast, a display titled "The Aerodynamic Body" features a collection of Nike, Speedo and Gaultier-designed athletic bodysuits. The superhero evoked, The Flash, is present only in a silkscreened backdrop (which may be because they couln't find a Flash costume.).
To break it down from a different perspective, it's pretty neat to see Lynda Carter's original Wonder Woman costume ("The Patriotic Body") and the metal suit worn by Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man" ("The Armored Body").
The exhibition opens with the most recognizable iconography of all, George Reeve's Superman suit ("The Graphic Body I").
On the other side, fashion's heavy hitters are also well represented: Moschino, John Galliano, Giorgio Armani (whose company is sponsoring the exhibition), House of Dior, Gianni Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. But as conceptually fascinating as it might seem to marry the worlds of high fashion and iconic superheroes, in reality they just don't gel. Fanboys and fashionistas will find something to like, but wonder, respectively, what the extraneous dresses/costumes are bringing to the table. And for mere mortals not steeped in the mythos of DC vs. Marvel or Dolce & Gabbana, there's not a whole lot of interest here.
Get home delivery of The Sun and save over 50% off the newsstand price
Copyright © 2008, AM New York
Images in the news Entertainment photos | Sports photos 
Caption Call
We post the photo, you write a funny caption for this hungry hippo 
Ravens training camp
The Ravens prepare for the season at McDaniel College in Westminster |
Popular stories
- Caution on cell phone use
- Rookie linebacker Gooden right on time
- MTA apologizes for poor service
- Mike Preston: Off and running for Ravens' Rice
- On festive night, rain on O's parade
 | ||
 THINGS TO DOPlein Air- Easton Observe artists and artisans, purchase their works and more through July 27.
RECENT BLOG UPDATES FROM THE BEACH LIFE |
 |
 FROM B, THE PAPERLet it Go Feeling frazzled? Here are 16 ways to release your stress RECENT BLOG UPDATES FROM BTHESITE.COM |
 | |
 FEATURED GALLERYArtscape Share photos from the annual arts festival in the city.  FEATURED USERSusansz This picture was taken on the beach in Ocean City. | |
Today's columnists |
| Columnists: News | Sports | Business | Lifestyle |
About our coverageThe Sun is committed to publishing information quickly and accurately. We take our readers' concerns seriously and will promptly investigate when we are alerted to possible errors.• To report an error, use our feedback page. • To submit questions to Sun reporters and editors, visit Under The Sun, a blog offering insight into how decisions are made at The Sun. |