The Science of Kimono
Creative activities centred around the Japanese design process will take place at V&A Dundee this weekend as part of a collaboration with Dundee Science Centre.
Every Sunday throughout September, V&A visitors will be able to design and make their own origami kimonos, a combination of creative ideas with the importance of fractions.
This reflects inspiration taken from the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition and the architect of the V&A Dundee, Kengo Kuma, where visitors can also use materials provided by us to build a structure inspired by Japanese design, while also learning about the engineering process.
Our free drop-in activities were designed in collaboration with pupils from the city’s Grove Academy who recently enjoyed placements with us.
Our STEM Development Lead, Caitlin MacInnes, said, “Following a visit to the Kimono exhibition, our Grove Academy placements were tasked to highlight the crossovers between scientific and creative skills. We’re really proud of what they captured through these engaging and fun activities.
“As we can see at V&A Dundee, both kimonos and Japanese architecture are truly stunning and there’s a significant amount of complex design, calculations and considerations behind both. Through these activities, visitors can explore the thinking behind both, highlighting the role creativity plays in STEM discovery and learning. They can fold and create their own origami kimonos while applying their knowledge of fractions and build immense structures inspired by Japanese design while exploring the engineering process.”
Gary Jamieson, Schools Development Officer, V&A Dundee, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate once again with Dundee Science Centre to bring together the worlds of design and science for an exciting joint public offer. By linking our Kimono exhibition with STEM activities, we are providing visitors with a unique and innovative experience that celebrates the intersection of design and technology”.
Our Kimono themed activities which can be tailored to visitors of all ages will run every Sunday throughout September 2024, from 10am to 4pm, located in the Locke Hall.
Showing the kimono as a dynamic, ever-evolving icon of fashion, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk traces the kimono’s evolution and influence from 17th century Japan to today’s cutting-edge couture and street fashion across the world. The beauty and importance of the kimono, meaning simply ‘the thing to wear’, is celebrated with an extraordinary collection of around 300 garments, accessories, paintings, prints, photographs and film clips from the V&A and collections around the world.
The exhibition runs until 5 January 2025 (18 and under’s go free).
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