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Everything historical and current about the hat. Fascinating commercial connections between the Freiamt, Tuscany and England in earlier times. How the waste product straw was transformed into "gold". Trimmings, plaits, machines and materials. An in-depth fashion story made of hats. Hat-making today - the attractive show, "From Straw to Hat" explores these and other topics.

 

The historical and international aspects of straw are illuminated, showing Wohlen as a "cosmopolitan city" and as a centre of production and sale of woven straw products. The exhibition spans history right up to the present day and shows current hat creation, offering a ramble through the history of hat fashions. It allows a vivid and tangible experience of hat making today.

The exhibition presents insight into the industrial and cultural histories of straw and hat making. And shows how hats and hat making are clearly once again topics of interest.

 

In addition to the historical section, the show focuses on the present and on current hat making practice: as is typical in a revival, hats are made by hand. On the one hand, there's the fashion and the art and craft of hat making and its links to traditional techniques and, on the other, creation with new materials using contemporary skills.

 

"From Straw to Hat" comprises five attractive and spacious exhibition modules:

• History, raw materials, products, trading relationship in the triangle Switzerland-Italy-England (Wohlen-Florence-Luton)
• Men and machines, individuals, companies and figures
• Hat designs across the decades
• Occupations and processes in hat making today; insight into a milliner's studio
• Current, specially assembled collection of "Hat Couture" inspired by a fabulous fairytale

 

The show integrates numerous photographs and texts, historical documentation, graphic design, original objects and materials, audio and film documentation - and, of course, hats to touch and try on.

The travelling exhibition "From Straw to Hat" opens in Wohlen's "Bleichi". "Bleichi" an, so to speak, historical location, was once a part of the production process for the straw-weaving industry - the raw material was colour-dyed here in the bleachery.

 

After the presentation in Wohlen, the exhibition in three languages (German, Italian and English) moves on to Florence to be displayed in the Museo Marino Marini (June/July 2010). The one-time English straw-hat centre Luton is another possible location for the exhibition, "From Straw to Hat".

 

Responsible for the concept and realisation of "From Straw to Hat": the Lucerne project team of Caroline Felber (idea, research, www.huete.ch), Robi Müller (www.shape.to; project management, research,), Martina Nievergelt (scenography), Jörg Grüniger (graphic design), Urs Hangartner (research, editing), Kubik, Horw-Luzern (construction).

Veronica Main, a recognised expert, made important contributions to the project. Ms. Main is curator for costumes and textiles at the Wardown Park Museum in Luton. In particular, she provided input on the materials and technology used in Italy, England and Switzerland, including details from newly appreciated European sources.

 

The exhibition catalogue will be published in three languages at the end of April, 2010 as a special edition of "Handwerk", the information magazine of the Ballenberg Course Centre (www.ballenbergkurse.ch).

 

"From Straw to Hat" is support by many institutions, in particular by Canton Aargau and Pro Helvetia (see link: Partners)

 

Special thanks to Rudolf and Jacques Isler, Freiämter Strohmuseum Wohlen.

Contact: robi@shape.to, hau@hispeed.ch, www.huete.ch