AFRICAN LACE EXHIBITION OPENED IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

As Nigeria marked her 50 years independence celebration last year, the NCMM joined milions of Nigerians in the Celebration with the presentation of an exhibition titled "ARFICAN LACE".

Brightly coloured industrially embroidered textiles, the so-called African Lace, characterize Nigeria's formal attire since the 1960s. Lace is usually adorned in Nigeria and also by Nigerians in the diaspora, on all kinds of festivities or at official events by persons of high calibre. For the first time, an exhibition and the concomitant research explore the history and cultural significance of this particular fabric in Nigeria.

What generally is called "lace" in Nigeria actually denotes industrial embroideries that are produced in Switzerland (St. Gallen) and Austria (Lustenau) since the late 19th century. The specific designs and qualities of these embroideries, produced for the West African market dates back to the early 1960s when Austrian embroidery producers on their quest for new markets, reached Nigeria and started commercial relations and exchange of ideas with local textile merchants. Through this intercontinental interaction, a special textile product emerged and afterwards characterized Nigerian appearance all over the world..

In his remark during the opening of the exhibition, the Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman had this to say "the theme of the exhibition enhances a contemporary aspect of culture that extends beyond the borders of a single nation interconnecting people, ideas and creativity through trade. It presents a recent development in the Nigerian fashion history and also introduced a recent chapter of trade history between Europe and Africa, especially between Austria and Nigeria".

The long relationship between the continents through the trade and exchange of textiles since the 15th century and beyong, shaped both African and European textile traditions that change continuously and incorporate inspirations and materials from outside.

The history of "lace" is related to socio-political developments in Nigeria's recent history. The attires fashioned out of the expensive imported embroideries were an expression of prosperity during the oil boom. Criticism on their popularity became an outlet for the rconsideration of national cultural values that were expected to manifest themselves also in fabrics and dress styles. "In spite of the ambivalent attitude in regard to the imported luxury fabrics, they remained extremely popular and the clothes produced out of them have been adopted as "traditional dress", worn particularly on festive occasions such as naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals or anniversaries, at public appearances of politicians and other persons of prominence at home and abroad lace is ubiquitous and defines the image of Nigerians worldwide", says Mr. Nath Mayo Adediran, Director of Museums, NCMM and one of the curators of the exhibition.

This project is remarkable and innovative not only in respect of its topic but also as a significant development in the bilateral relationship of Nigerian and European museums..

The Director of the Kunts Historisches Museum, Dr. Sabine Haag lauded the project and said that "for the first time, the Museum of Ethnology in Vienna and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria have developed an exhibition together addressing contemporary popular culture that will be shown in both countries and possibly further venues".

The exhibition gives an overview over the development of the textile and lace trade and clothing traditions in southwest Nigeria. A style chronology of the lace fashion since the seventies and offers insight into the society, life and vibrant fashion scenes in Lagos. African lace highlights fashion, creativity, opulence and the joy of social gatherings and celebrating together in Nigeria.

A series of portrait photographs from the 1960s and the seventies by the renowned Nigerian artist Okhai Ojeikere and another devoted to the recent party culture and market display of textiles by the Lagos photographer Adolphus Opara enriched the presentation with their artful ambiance.

Special highlight of the exhibition are artful Haute-Couture and Pret-a Porter-creations out of contemporary lace material by four prominent Nigerian fashion designers - Tiffany Amber (Folake Folarin-Coker), Ituen Basi, Vivid Imagination (Mekuye Godwin), and Hou8se of Burnor (Frank Osodi).

The exhibition is organised by the Museum of Ethnology Vienna, in cooperation and collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments of Nigeria. It is supported by the Austrian Embroidery Industry.