June 11 Lecture – TAC

Costumes for Diaghilev’s “Ballets Russes” 1909-1929

June 11, 2016,
10:00 am – 11:30 am
KORET AUDITORIUM

For a period of twenty years (1909–1929) Sergei Diaghilev’s “Ballets Russes” astonished European audiences and became the most influential ballet company of the 20th century. By employing very talented designer/artists in ground breaking artistic collaborations, his company redefined the aesthetics of ballet. Focusing on selected costumes, this lecture shows the relationships between designers’ sketches, finished costumes, and thematic interpretations. We will look carefully at costume details and talk about the various fabrics and decorative trims that were used. In a few cases, we will discuss the relationship between costumes and choreographic movements.  Fortunately, many of the original costumes have been carefully preserved in museum collections in Europe, the United States, and Australia, enabling us to explore through close-up images the rich and beautiful costumes associated with the Ballets Russes.

William Eddelman, associate professor of Theatre History and Design, Emeritus, Stanford University, Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, is a specialist in international theatrical design.
During his teaching career, he combined the creative and academic worlds through practical stage design work and classroom teaching. Additionally, he established the Theatrical Design Collection at the Museum of Performance and Design (San Francisco) and is currently building a research library in International Theatre Design for the Achenbach Graphic Arts Foundation, FAMSF.

Ticket Information

Tickets available at the door, TAC accepts cash or personal checks.

Free to members of the Textile Arts Council
$5 for students and members of the FAMSF
$10 general admission

de Young Museum | Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118

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