The Outrageous Art of Bernhard Willhelm
<p>The fashion designer Bernhard Willhelm is influenced by the feeling that the planet will not survive humanity. “Truth is very beautiful, but it’s not necessarily beautiful to look at,” he says.</p>
Courtesy Daniel Trese
There is nothing subtle about Bernhard Willhelm. The Bavarian-born fashion designer, whose bleached blond hair stands in stark contrast of his scruffy, dark brown jawline, has been mixing up mainstream fashion for years.
His designs are bold and extravagant, not your typical ready-to-wear clothes, and his runways shows are even wilder (think bodybuilders and dance numbers). And he’s proving to be even more daring with his (and partner Jutta Kraus’) latest collection, which is mixed into his latest art exhibition, titled Bernhard Willhelm 3000: When Fashion Shows The Danger Then Fashion Is The Danger, at the MOCA Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
“It’s about the feeling that this planet will not survive humanity,” Willhelm told The Daily Beast. “There’s also this feeling in terms of evolution—are we actually moving forward or going backwards? Evolution in terms of race and color, our culture and sexuality. And about what we think of beauty.”
The 12 looks on display range from bright yellow cape-like one-pieces, to furry vests with oversized zippers and accompanying thigh-high socks, to pattern dresses accessorized with birds.
All of these looks are dispersed throughout site-specific artworks crafted by Willhelm—a man suspended over a fish tank, guns ablaze; a giant, inflatable figure that resembles a man in a latex bondage outfit; and a handful of alien-like figures with flowing rings attached to their tongues.
“Truth is very beautiful, but it’s not necessarily beautiful to look at,” Willhelm said. “So there is a lot of humor in the show…and a few good jokes.”
Bernard Willhelm 3000: When Fashion Shows The Danger Then Fashion Is The Danger is on display until May 17.
Courtesy Daniel Trese
Courtesy Daniel Trese
Courtesy Daniel Trese
Courtesy Daniel Trese
Courtesy Daniel Trese
Courtesy Brian Forrester
Courtesy Brian Forrester
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