Anna Telcs has set a high standard for artistic design in Seattle through her meticulous craft and complex aesthetics, which she explores annually in her ongoing project The Dowsing. In addition to the sculpture and garments that are part of each Dowsing cycle, Telcs has orchestrated public performances. In coming years, these performances will give way to video documentation, allowing for the audience to better see the details of the garments. Working as a costume designer and remarkable seamstress, set designer and art director, she can own the project from every direction.
Telcs is a frequent collaborator, having worked closely with artists like Ryan Mitchell (Implied Violence and Saint Genet) and Mark Mitchell. Telcs is already on board to create costumes for dancers (including model Matt Drews) in an upcoming video for local band Pollens later this year.
Telcs says of the Dowsing 2014 that layers will be the featured aspect—“many layers that achieve a singular silhouette.”
Telcs’ artistic philosophy stands opposed to “fast fashion” and the constant churning out of new designs in a wasteful and frenetic pace. She seeks to stand “unironically for one thing, one aesthetic choice. One shape on one body—possibly two people—to personify the antithesis of the hunger for new, for more.” The performance and filming will occur near the Washington coast and will reference Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Spiritual Laws” from his book Self-Reliance and Rem Koolhaas’ S, M, L, XL.
Ensemble and styling by Anna Telcs. Photo by Lindsey Rae Gjording.
Black linen shield with herringbone joining stitch over cotton sateen gown. Photo by Lindsey Rae Gjording.
Where to find the works
These works and others by Anna Telcs will be on display at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, OR through October 11 in its current show, Fashioning Cascadia.
About the model
Matt Drews is a Seattle-based dancer and choreographer. He is currently performing at the Luminato Festival in Toronto with Saint Genet presenting Paradisiacal Rites, which premiered last year at On the Boards. He has danced and choreographed with multiple projects and individual artists. He recently curated the performance night for Mo Wave 2014, in which he also presented original choreography.
You can read more about Anna Telcs in a previous Vanguard Seattle profile. You can also read more about last year’s Aesthetic Dowsing presentation with The Henry and see the video.
