China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 6 -- Moon In the Water

"The exhibition's subtitle, Through the Looking Glass, translates into Chinese as Moon in the Water, a phrase that alludes to Buddhism. Like Flower in the Mirror, it suggests something that cannot be grasped, and has both positive and negative connotations. When used to describe a beautiful object, "moon in the water" can refer to a quality of perfection that is either so elusive and mysterious that the item becomes transcendent or so illusory and deceptive that it becomes untrustworthy." -- from The Met's website

Calligraphy and China's export silk were featured in Galleries 215, 216, and 214.

Christian Dior, Quiproquo, 1951, Printed silk shantung

Sketches:

Alexander McQueen, fall/winter 2006, Silk jacquard

Christian Dior, Quiproquo, 1951, Printed silk shantung

Alexander McQueen, fall/winter 2006, Silk jacquard

Christobal Balenciaga, 1955-56, Hand-painted silk taffeta

Sketches:

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003 [not in catalogue]

Christobal Balenciaga, 1955-56, Hand-painted silk taffeta

Almost overwhelming was the moonlit garden staging of a lavish display of Galliano gowns.

Left to Right:

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003 [not in catalogue]

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Printed silk/synthetic jacquard

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Silk jacquard embroidered with silk flowers coat, Silk ciré ruff and dress

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Silk brocade dress, Gold lamé and synthetic crinoline

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Embroidered silk jacquard coat, Silk organza dress

Tomorrow I'll conclude my survey with some photos from the Wuxia section of the exhibition.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details about the garments. Selected images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.