Six finds from the women's market with stories from the recent past open the first exhibition at Klek Shop @ DOT Sofia. The event marks the launch of the Klek Shop Souvenir competition, which offers a prize fund and the serial production of an original souvenir. This will also be the first product produced by DOT Sofia in the selection of the space.
The exhibition features typical items from the women's market with a value of up to 50 BGN, selected by the jury composed of Veselina Sarieva (DOT Sofia and Sarieva Gallery), Adriana Andreeva and Boyana Gyaurova from Komplekt (organizer Melba - Initiatives for Design), Dr. Pancho Georgiev - owner of DOT Sofia, Vyara Zhelyazkova from I/O architects (architects of the building), Dima Stefanova from Know-How / Show-How - the educational program for creative thinking and design.
A peignoir tells the story of a fashion show in Shibuya, Tokyo, a jacket with patches takes us back to old commercials and the New Wave years, a baking pan with bright colors provokes and takes us sharply out of the everyday. Bulgarian terrycloth shoes transcend national dimensions, and a traditional jar of beans allows us to take home a memory in a cappuccino... The collection is completed by a ceramic saltcellar bought from one of the oldest stalls in the women's market.
"The idea of a souvenir in general has many aspects - a souvenir can be of a city, a region, a country, very often it has a political context. When we talk about a souvenir or a memento, it is very important for me to have an objective and human moment. That's why I chose something that doesn't symbolize a specific place or nationality. This type of terrycloth can be produced in many parts of the world - Thailand, Mexico, Peru, Bulgaria - and has a specificity related to folk art. I liked that the colors are avngard and incompatible with each other - they have a cute textile lace," says Veselina Sarieva, who includes the terrycloth in the exhibition of Klek Shop @ DOT Sofia.
"My personal story is related to an acquaintance in Tokyo at one of the most futuristic places - at the intersection of Shibuya, at a fashion event, I met a Japanese woman who was wearing a similar garment. I told her that I was from Bulgaria and that we had a market in Sofia where similar things were sold. She was impressed. This is one of the coolest places I've ever been!" - Architect Vyara Zhelyazkova.
"The bright green silicone baking pan is an emanation of domesticity and desire for color in the kitchen. Such home accessories are very popular and can be found in most shops of the women's market" - Boyana Gyaurova, Studio Komplekt.
"Each patch is a piece of history in itself. They encapsulate disparate messages and advertisements, sparking our imaginations in the strangest directions, from tennis courts to surf beaches to Super Mario. They are also an expression of the desire for individual expression and authorship of a garment or accessory. We found the patches themselves in only one place - a cinematheque at the Women's Market" - Adriana Andreeva, Studio Komplekt.
In the folk psychology the ceramic salt cellar is a symbol of hospitality, and today - one of the preferred and recognizable souvenirs - the choice of Dr. Pancho Georgiev, owner of DOT Sofia.
During her market, Dima Stefanova (Know How-How to) chooses a traditional bean jar.
Terms and conditions of the Klek Shop Souvenir Competition can be found here.
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