Blog

HATS OFF TO THE LADIES OF SAN DIEGO
01.05.16
Fashionistas and historians can check out San Diego’s most glamorous and extravagant hats starting Thursday, January 8 through Sunday, January 31 at the Women’s Museum of California.
“Talking Through Her Hat: Hats and the Women Who Wore Them” collection will be held at Liberty Station in honor of women everywhere.
From decadent fascinators to traditional bucket hats, the historic collection gives a rare view of hats from the museum’s collection and collectors in the community. The exhibit opening will be held at Liberty Station on Friday, January 8 from 5 -9 p.m. and will include light drinks and refreshments.
The museum’s mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations about the experiences and contributions of women by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the evidence of that experience.
Museum members are always free and admission is only $5 for regular and $3 for seniors and students.
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 -4 p.m. with the exception of Friday Night Liberty events, taking place during the first Friday of every month, museum is open 5-9 p.m.
2730 Historic Decatur Road, 103 in San Diego. 619.233.7963
Blog

“The Red that Colored the World”
01.05.16
History buffs and art enthusiasts won’t want to miss Bowers Museum’s latest exhibition, “The Red That Colored the World,” on display through February 21. It tells incredible story of the cochineal bug used for centuries in the Americas, and then discovered in 16th-century Mexico by Hernán Cortés and other Spanish conquistadores. The bug’s juice was found to create a red dye unparalleled by any other in nature; it changed art, science, fashion, and history forever.
The dye fueled global economics as it was harvested by the natives of Mexico, and exported globally to China, Africa, and Europe. It was more expensive than gold and frenzy ensued in trading and to guard its origin. The global spread and intense secrecy of the dye led to espionage and piracy.
"The Red That Colored the World" follows the history of the cochineal’s impact from Mexico and South America, to Europe, the United States, and beyond. It features textiles, sculpture, paintings, manuscripts, decorative arts, and clothing in varying shades of cochineal red, and explores themes of art history, high fashion, empire and conquest, and world economics.
Artifacts are on loan from some of the most prestigious collections in the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museo El Greco in Toledo, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Highlights of the exhibition include Napoleon’s armchair from 1800; an18th century Japanese Fireman’s ceremonial coat; the painting The Savior (from the Apostles series) by El Greco, c. 1608–1614; and an Eleonora dress by Italian designer Mariano Fortuny, c. 1930–1940.
Tickets cost $13 for adults on weekdays and $15 on weekends.
Children (under 12) $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends.
Bowers offers free admission to Santa Ana residents, with proof of residency, each Sunday, through a generous donation in memory of Dorothy Goerl and courtesy of the Lockhart Family.
Purchase tickets online at bowers.org/tickets.
Open 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Tuesday through Sunday. 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana. 714.567.3600.
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