Looking for a musical instrument - wearing a paradox thumbnail 1
Looking for a musical instrument - wearing a paradox thumbnail 2
+4
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Looking for a musical instrument - wearing a paradox

Ensemble
1989 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lun-na Menoh is a fashion designer whose clothes often resemble pieces of sculpture and she always incorporates a story into each of her works. This layered net overdress uses appliqué to create a forest in her fairy-tale narrative. The wood is suggested by applied strips of felt with pinked edges topstitched in white cotton and overlapping lengths of green, blue and white rick-rack braid. Additional braid and yellow ribbon inscribed with instructions are visible through the net haze.

This particular ensemble – complete with hat, shoes, violin case and wearing instructions – was conceived as a quest for the wearer, who must follow signs variously applied to the outfit in the hope of finding the missing musical instrument. As Lun-na Menoh’s instructions are self-denying, the instrument can never be found and the wearer is ‘snared in a circular path without escape’.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Top
  • Overtunic
  • Pants
  • Hat
  • Shoe
  • Shoe
  • Violin Case
  • Wearing Instructions
TitleLooking for a musical instrument - wearing a paradox (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Velvet with net, fur and appliqué
Brief description
Ensemble 'Looking for a musical instrument - wearing a paradox' consisting of a top, overtunic, pants, hat, a pair of shoes, a violin case, and wearing instructions, designed by Lun-na Menoh, Japan, 1989.
Physical description
Ensemble consisting of a top, overtunic, pants, hat, a pair of shoes, a violin case, and wearing instructions. Velvet with net, fur and appliqué.
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1989/604.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Lun-na Menoh is a fashion designer whose clothes often resemble pieces of sculpture and she always incorporates a story into each of her works. This layered net overdress uses appliqué to create a forest in her fairy-tale narrative. The wood is suggested by applied strips of felt with pinked edges topstitched in white cotton and overlapping lengths of green, blue and white rick-rack braid. Additional braid and yellow ribbon inscribed with instructions are visible through the net haze.

This particular ensemble – complete with hat, shoes, violin case and wearing instructions – was conceived as a quest for the wearer, who must follow signs variously applied to the outfit in the hope of finding the missing musical instrument. As Lun-na Menoh’s instructions are self-denying, the instrument can never be found and the wearer is ‘snared in a circular path without escape’.
Collection
Accession number
T.272 to G-1989

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
Download as: JSON