Canada’s Design Museum, the Design Exchange (DX) presents 60 Years of Designing the Ballet, on view om July 11 to September 2, the DX offers an enchanting glimpse into the design of the iconic dance institution, The National Ballet of Canada. From archival tutus worn in classic productions like Swan Lake that span back to the 1950s and early days of the National Ballet to a retrospective of costume sketches and cherished set design items like the Nutcracker doll (The Nutcracker), get an insider’s look at the design that has helped the National Ballet captivate the hearts of Canadians and ballet-aficionados worldwide.
Curated by Costume Designer Caroline O’Brien, who was resident designer and wardrobe supervisor of Canada’s National Ballet School from 1989 to 2007, the exhibit is an expression of the history of the National Ballet, featuring an array of costumes, set pieces, photographs, and videos that illustrate the design process. Three ballets, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Emergence, will create the narrative focus of the exhibit, with archival items also on display from: Cinderella, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Firebird, Don Quixote, Giselle, and more. The exhibit revisits much-loved productions with video footage including behind-the-scenes footage of The Nutcracker, and an interview with famed British costume designer Richard Hudson (Romeo and Juliet). Visitors can fulfill their wildest ballerina dreams at the interactive barre station, where they will try on tutus, and learn classic ballet poses through video instruction. Prepare to be whisked away by the romance of one of the most classical art forms at The DX’s 60 Years of Designing the Ballet.
The Design Exchange (DX) is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the pursuit of design excellence and preservation of design heritage. At a crossroads of multiple disciplines from furniture and architecture to graphics and fashion, DX exhibitions and talks are curated to be culturally relevant and to reflect the popular zeitgeist. Located in downtown Toronto in the historic and original Toronto Stock Exchange building, the DX annually attracts thousands of visitors of all ages. For more information visit www.dx.org