Art Glass Daily Artsy Sculpture

Clothed in Transparency: Cassandra Straubing

So much is made of the clothing we place on our bodies.  I maintain my belief that the clothes we choose make a statement about who we are.  But lately, the concept has been taken further to encompass not just the style of the fashions we wear, but what they are made of, where, and how.  In her sculptural work, glass artist Cassandra Straubing addresses domestic and industrial labor, two of the major producers of clothing through the centuries.

With His Wife Now Gone, His Clothes Never Seemed to Make it Back in the Drawer by Cassandra Straubing

With His Wife Now Gone, His Clothes Never Seemed to Make it Back in the Drawer, cast glass with found objects, 33.5x17x19

With His Wife Now Gone ( detail ) by Cassandra Straubing

With His Wife Now Gone ( detail )

Last Monday, as I was driving home, ironically from a day of shopping for a few clothing basics at Target, TJ Maxx, etc., I listened to this story on NPR regarding the trend of “fast fashion” begun in the 1980s and gaining relentless momentum since.  Clothing is being produced, consumed, and disposed of at alarming rates, all the while using up valuable finite resources.  And although the impetus behind Straubing’s work, according to her artist statment, is linked more to clothing as a representation of who we are and who we become, I see in it a throwback to the simplicity of the way clothing was once viewed– it’s first purpose was practical, perhaps overalls or an apron for every day, a suit and “Sunday dress” for special occasions.

The Beekeeper's Wife by Cassandra Straubing

The Beekeeper’s Wife, cast glass with found objects, 18x32x3

Mrs. Evans by Cassandra Straubing

Mrs. Evans, kiln cast glass and found objects, 22.5x30x3.25

But today, we fill closet after closet with “disposable” clothing, literally buying into what the fashion industry, media and manufacturers tell us we need.  As Straubing’s glass articles of clothing suggest, we are all becoming naked emperors.

She Waited for Him on Pins and Needles by Cassandra Straubing

She Waited for Him on Pins and Needles ( detail )

How do we combat against falling prey to trendy fashion?  Perhaps if we imagined each new fashion was sculpted of glass, might we be so quick to want it?  Says the woman who travels with 5 large plastic bins of clothes, 1 giant suitcase, and several smaller suitcases.  But I’m working on it and have two garbage bags full of Goodwill destined clothes to prove it.

To see more of Cassandra Straubing’s work, please visit her page at San Jose State University.

With His Wife Now Gone.. and She Waited for Him.. via the artist’s page at SJSU, The Beekeeper’s Wife and Mrs. Evans via Bullseye Gallery.

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  • Sandra
    March 15, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    THIS is a post worth saving. Love the intersection of design and clothing and history and meaning. Beautiful!

    • Lesley
      March 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM

      Thanks so much, Sandra! It’s beautiful work, isn’t it? The whole issue of clothing and the role it plays in our lives is a subject almost constantly on my mind and one I keep coming back to. I’m glad you enjoyed Cassandra’s work and the post!