Theatre: It's On Our Heads

On until the 12th of August, Theater: It's On Our Heads, is the latest exhibition at The Opera Gallery - a small gallery situated in the wing of Warsaw's National Opera.

As soon as word got to me about the opening of this exhibition, I was determined to go and relieved that it was on during the summer - when I am home from university. Were I to be unable to see it, I would break my perfect attendance record at the gallery's fashion related exhibitions! Having previously focused on dress and footwear, it seemed only natural that the next area of interest would be millinery. And so, I walked headfirst into a room full of headdresses, bonnets, horns, wreaths and even full-on animal heads. All were gathered together to portray the variety of hats held and produced in one of the country's most prominent wardrobe departments.

Above: Fascinators worn by the choir in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow.

Dir. Maciej Wojtyszko, 2002. Designed by Izabela Chelkowska.

By dividing their exhibitions into categories of dress and accessories, the curators encourage the audience to focus solely on particular elements, which, when seen on stage, become part of a complete costume. It is easy to forget that hats are often produced by specialist milliners and long-time masters of their craft, rather than by the general costume designer, and because of this are entitled to an exhibition of their own. The attention to detail in the objects portrayed was exemplary and one could appreciate that these were one-of-a-kind pieces, fashioned, re-fashioned, cleaned and mended to meet the specific measurements and survive the long, tiring hours on stage atop actors' and dancers' heads.

Although the purpose of the exhibition is to draw attention to the meticulous craftsmanship of the individual artists working backstage, it also serves as a reminder of the collaborative nature of theatrical productions. It is not unheard of for commercial fashion designers to lend their talents to theatre costume departments. For the former it is an exciting new challenge, while the latter view it as a way to appeal to contemporary trends and an opportunity to welcome a fresh viewpoint on designs and productions that often run annually for decades. In my photos below one can observe designs by Joanna Klimas as well as Gosia Baczynska (perhaps better known internationally since Kate Middleton wore one of her gowns during her July 2017 visit to Poland). just one look at the silver bejewelled slinky gown and feathered fascinator that Baczynska created for the protagonist in Verdi's La Traviata (Warsaw National Opera, M. Trelinski, 2010), and one has not the slightest doubt that this is a designer destined for great things.

Theater: It's On Our Heads is a peek behind the curtain into the studios of those who rarely recieve due appreciation for their work. Along with previous exhibitions about dresses and shoes, it is a symbol of gratitude and acknowledgement for the work that can be difficult to fully appreciate when seated far away from the stage, surrounded by gleaming lights. Seldom do we thank these artists and creators at the end of a production and therefore I feel it is our duty to do so by visiting The Opera Gallery - especially since the entrance is free!

Entry to the exhibition (entrance from the theatre lobby, 2nd floor).

The title hat features the design of Warsaw's National Opera/Grand Theatre by Antonio Corrazi and Bohdan Pniewski.

The staircase leading to the exhibition (entrance from the street).

Headdresses from Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Choreography adapted, from Waclaw Nizynski's original, by Millicent Hodson, 2011. Designed by Nikolaj Roerich / Kenneth Archer.

Wreaths from Karol Kurpinski's Krakovians and Mountaineers, dir. Janusz Jozefowicz, 2007, designs by Maria Balcerek AND from Wladyslaw Zelenski's Goplana, dir. Janusz Wisniewski, 2016, designs by Janusz Wisniewski.

Hanna's wreath from Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow. Dir. Maciej Wojtyszko, 2002. Designed by Izabela Chelkowska.

Costume and fascinator with feather plumes belonging to Violetta Valery in Guiseppe Verdi's La Traviata. Dir. Mariusz Trelinski, 2010. Designed by Gosia Baczynska.