[ISEA2020] Curator Statement: Peau d’Âne — Celebrating the work of Valérie LaMontagne (CA)

Curator Statement

This is a virtual exhibition gallery space to experience the e-textiles art and FashionTech collections, research, talks and performances of Valérie LaMontagne, a pioneer in the discipline. In 2018 and about to take her post in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, when Valérie LaMontagne found out she has leukaemia, and spent a year fighting it. Valérie had just successfully won her battle with the disease in August 2019, but then deteriorated and died October 4th, 2019. AUAS Dean FDMCI, Frank Kresin said after hearing of her death: “Valérie was a driving force in an international network of fashion innovators. She knew how to inspire others and create amazing work, thanks to her enormous creativity, passion and perseverance. She fought for her life, for life itself, until the very end and never lost her optimism. Her death is a huge loss for many of us and I wish her family, friends and loved ones my condolences.” This exhibition is dedicated to Valérie and tries to preserve her work and legacy in the e-textiles, wearables and FashionTech community. This is a virtual exhibition of Valérie’s work including images, 3D versions of a few of her pieces, videos of her work and her talks and a commemorative video by close friend and PhD supervisor Joanna Berzowska.

Valerie’s Profile links:
3lectromode.com
linkedin.com/in/valerielamontagne/
To see a sample on her see these links:
v2.nl/archive/people/valerie-lamontagne
designboom.com/art/valerie-lamontagne-interactive-weather-dresses/2219
codame.com/artists/valerie-lamontagne
trendhunter.com/trends/valerie-lamontagne
V2’s 3 interviews with Valérie:
v2.nl/remembering-valerie-lamontagne/?searchterm=VALÉRIE LAMONTAGNE
Memorial links:
amsterdamuas.com/content/news/news/2019/10/death-of-professor-valerie-lamontagne.html
adrianfreed.com/content/celebrating-valérie-lamontagne