Exhibition «Children’s World» at MDAD

In co–operation with ABLV Bank and Alexandre Vassiliev Foundation, the MDAD is hosting already the ninth exhibition from the collection of the celebrated fashion historian Alexandre Vassiliev. This time the display showcases a wide range of kids’ clothing and accessories. The exhibition provides its viewers with a possibility to trace changes — all the trendy twists and turns in children’s fashion dresses beginning from the end of the 18th century to the mid 20th century. Apart from that, the title of the exhibition shows that kids’ clothing in the course of the time, as a matter of fact, has demonstrated different attitudes towards children and childhood adopted by the community.The display is based on a chronological principle, and it is aimed to show children in different life situations: at home, walking outdoors, at school, during family holidays and recreation, and other activities. Toys, household items and a dozen of Latvia’s culture celebrities’ childhood photos, borrowed from other museums, supplement the Alexandre Vassiliev’s children’s clothing collection.

The display is based on a chronological principle, and it is aimed to show children in different life situations: at home, walking outdoors, at school, during family holidays and recreation, and other activities. Toys, household items and a dozen of Latvia’s culture celebrities’ childhood photos, borrowed from other museums, supplement the Alexandre Vassiliev’s children’s clothing collection.

The title of the exhibition has been chosen to call back into our minds the famous Riga’s department store «Bērnu Pasaule» («Children’s World»). The store’s central shop window with moving puppets grouped by theme had a huge popularity among the little citizens. It was designed by artist Adrians Pabians, and sketches, photos and toys, made by him, are exhibited in the museum for the first time. Another part of the exhibition comprises garments manufactured at the Soviet time, as well as individually tailored clothing, which characterizes public taste and understanding of the beauty of the corresponding time.

Until August 9, at the shopping centre «Galerija Centrs» (Audēju iela 16, Riga) visitors have the opportunity to see historical images selected for this exhibition: postcards, photographs of different periods, showing important Latvian cultural workers in childhood as well as the design of the legendary shop windows of the «Children’s World» department store.

The exhibition «Children’s World. 18th – 20th Century» will be on show at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Skārņu iela 10/20, Riga, from August 3 to October 1. More information on the exposition and its satellite events can be found on the MDAD homepage.