Clothing as a Form of Socially Engaged Art: The Case of the New Collection by Dom Mody Limanka

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the New Collection (Nowa Kolekcja) by Dom Mody Limanka, created as part of the Prototypes (Prototypy) series at the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź in 2019. The project served as a critical examination of the contemporary fashion market, focusing on problematic aspects of fast fashion such as worker exploitation, consumerism, and environmental degradation. The artists reinterpreted avant-garde works, including those by Władysław Strzemiński and Theo van Doesburg, adapting them to the aesthetics of everyday clothing in the style of chain store apparel. The collection stood out for its duality–on one hand, it was a satire on mass production, while on the other, it explored how artistic forms function in prosaic, utilitarian contexts. Despite its ironic form and intentional use of cheap materials, the project raised questions about the value and role of art in society and its ability to foster critical dialogue on contemporary trends. The New Collection was also a performative experiment–visitors were encouraged to touch and try on the garments, emphasizing the tension between the reception of artworks and their utilitarian character. The project highlighted the paradoxes of modern fashion, becoming a space for reflection on the relationships between art, consumption, and everyday life.