RINSE & STARCH

Aïcha Abbadi

CW 18-20

Play and Order

 

You told me that you make hats.
Peaked caps.

And how long have you been doing this?
3 years.

Did you once have longer hair?
Yes.

And since when are they not as long anymore?
Since 3 years. (laughs.)

Aïcha Abbadi in dialogue with Hatim Alyafi

While the caps were not the reason behind Hatim’s separation from his hair, the decision
was certainly facilitated by them. They had over the years become a permanent but
transformative headdress, something to play with to alter outward impressions.
Something that immediately catches the eye, yet unfortunately doesn’t cover the ears in cold weather, the reason why
even Hatim swaps them for knitted hats from time to time.

What is the quality that makes a piece of clothing a cherished plaything
and when is playtime over? As Franceska goes through the pile of clothes selected for loaning
at the Dresserie, she feels an instant attraction to more than one piece.
A yellow dotted dress with a light blue soft knit jacket.
With antcipation, she envisions them as complete looks which she could see herself wearing every day,
combined with hand-made accessories and perhaps some rubber boots?
Playful materiality and a sense of cheerfulness are important,
an elegant functionality and overall positivity.
Even more than the visual impression alone it is the imagination that leads to the play with
clothes, what emanates from individual pieces.
In the storage room as well there are different categories, with some pieces allowed to leave the space with committed STREETWARE
wearers, while other pieces are expected to return. Still others are prepared for further processing.
One of these piles is made up primarily of dark grey, blue and black pieces,
much cotton and polyester, coats, trousers and cut-up thights,
but also a bikini top. There are pieces in many sizes, but apparently they do not qualify
anymore for play.
The processes of STREETWARE are a continuous alternation between play and order,
enthusiast discovery and careful selection and planning. As the laundry racks
the walk through the streets becomes a performance with intrigued public.
Before the big staging however, they remain in orderly rows,
as the clothes themselves, ironed and folded, waiting for
their grand entrance.
EN