Superheroes / Metropolitan Museum of Art

Superheroes, Super Designs. Marc Karimzadeh. WWD. 05.02.08. 

excerpted text:

“Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” which officially opens its doors at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute next Wednesday, offers a look at how fashion has interpreted superhero iconography both literally and metaphorically, and an almost comic-worthy show layout peppered with real action figures that could appeal to a democratic range of museum visitors.

"Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, who put the exhibit together with the support of curator in charge Harold Koda, said the theme for the exhibit evolved from his initial, more literal approach five years ago. He was inspired to take the different route after reading Michael Chabon’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” which gave a metaphorical slant to the theme. Chabon has contributed an essay on Unitard Theory in the show’s accompanying book." (Marc Karimzadeh)

“We began talking about superheroes as a metaphor, and this idea how clothing can transform, or help maintain the same identity,how the superhero is the overarching metaphor for fashion, because both share this obsession with the body, identity and transformation.” (Andrew Bolton)