The Arlington Museum of Art opens the “Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz” exhibit Friday.
According to its website, the AMA will present an exclusive collection of costumes from the Universal film Wicked to celebrate the costume design and the musical’s 21 years on Broadway. This Ozian exhibit is free and will be open until April 27.
Natalie Neale, assistant director of exhibitions, said in an email that since this is the museum’s year of pop culture, director of exhibitions Kendall Quirk decided to showcase the Wicked exhibit.
The AMA and Universal’s collections partnered up to make the experience possible. While the costumes may travel to other places later, this exhibit will be the collection’s first showing.
Six costumes will be featured, including Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” dress, Glinda’s bubble dress, costumes from Fiyero, Boq, the Wiz-O-Mania narrator and Nessa in her Shiz uniform. A few props will also be displayed, such as Glinda’s wand and Elphaba’s broom.
Neale said part of the AMA’s mission is representing all different types of art.
“We believe that anything can be considered art, and the art of costume design directly reflects art and artists,” Neale said. “For example, Elphaba's and Glinda's costumes were designed by Paul Tazewell, who was inspired by the Fibonacci spiral for Glinda's costumes, Elphaba's were inspired by trees, mushrooms and moss. These costumes directly reflect nature and art, and our mission.”
Residents can go to the AMA’s website for visitor information.
@amandaLaldridge
