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Friday, May 28, 2021 • STURBRIDGE VILLAGER 11 Worcester Art Museum examines evolution of baseball jerseys WORCESTER — Over the course of of clothing many people take for grant- titled “Turn Ahead the Clock,” which This includes Runaway x G Yamazawa, 170 years, the baseball jersey has become ed,” said Corrales-Diaz. “All of these jer- explored the jersey of 2027. The “Turn a 2017 collaboration on a jersey to honor an iconic emblem of American culture, seys, whether made for players or for Ahead the Clock” jerseys were baggy and the Japanese American ballplayers at extending well beyond a sports uniform fans, reveal an extensive design process sleeveless and featured enlarged logos the WWII incarceration camp Heart to inspire fashion trends and serve as a in which a designer considers fabrics, and new “techy” colors of metallic silver Mountain Relocation Center, and the cre- means of everyday, individual self-ex- fit, shape, colors, markings, and logos. and maroon. The initiative proved pop- ation of a Black Lives Matter jersey by pression. While the ubiquity of the When we choose to put one on, we do ular and was later adopted as a League MIZIZI, a streetwear brand representing American baseball shirt is undeniable, more than just affiliate ourselves with wide event, although the jerseys them- the African diaspora that has been worn there has been little scholarly research our chosen team. We are also embracing selves were not used beyond promotional by protesters across the globe. on its importance to material and popu- design, a set of aesthetic choices that help opportunities. Another, the 1950s uni- The exhibition is accompanied by lar culture through time. In June 2021, to define who we are and how we look at form of Isabel “Lefty” Álvarez, a Cuban a scholarly catalog by curator Erin the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) the world.” ballplayer who came to the United States Corrales-Diaz, Ph.D. This groundbreak- will open The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x More information regarding the ideas and played for the Kalamazoo Lassies, ing volume traces the design and aes- Fashion, the first museum exhibition to and histories explored within the three shows how gender-specific design actual- thetics of the iconic baseball jersey both focus specifically on the design evolution exhibition sections follows below. ly hindered performance by female play- on and off the baseball field. Published of baseball jerseys and their impact on ers on the ball field. by D Giles Ltd in association with the wider national culture. The show will The modern jersey Worcester Art Museum, the catalog is feature 37 garments, including histor- The New York Knickerbockers adopt- Off the field available from the Museum Shop for ic and contemporary jerseys as well as ed the first baseball uniform in 1849. When fans began donning replicas of $34.95 and can be ordered by emailing runway looks—from Jesse Tannehill’s Seeking to professionalize and add cred- baseball jerseys in the 1970s, they trans- [email protected]. 1908 Boston Red Sox Uniform Shirt to ibility to the sport, other teams soon fol- formed the shirt from athletic uniform to The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion MIZIZI’s Black Lives Matter jersey— lowed in developing uniform and dress a symbol of both communal and personal is made possible through the generous along with two, one-of-a-kind jersey parameters for their ball teams—most expression. As replica jerseys grew in support from the Fletcher Foundation. chairs and other ephemera that capture often inspired by volunteer fire and mili- popularity among everyday fans, they Additional support is provided by the phenomenon of the baseball shirt, tia companies. Far from our modern were further adopted by celebrities and the Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas both on and off the field. The exhibition, conception of baseball style, this first musicians, who gave the shirts height- Foundation, Bill and Joan Alfond which will remain on view through Sept. uniform is described as featuring blue ened creative and cultural significance. Foundation, Lunder Foundation-Peter 12 is accompanied by a scholarly cata- woven pantaloons, a white flannel shirt, This led to interest in jersey design from and Paula Lunder family, Murray logue that further examines the subject. and straw hat. This section of the exhibi- fashion houses such as Gucci, Dolce & Family Charitable Foundation, Red Sox The Iconic Jersey coincides with and tion traces the aesthetic evolution of the Gabbana, and Moschino, among others. Foundation, Larry and Stacey Lucchino, celebrates the construction of a new base- jersey from these early styles to the more This section of the exhibition explores Cynthia L. Strauss and Harry A. Sherr, ball stadium, Polar Park, in Worcester’s casual and collarless look we understand the life of the baseball jersey in popular and an anonymous donor. This project is Canal District—just a short distance today. The exhibition pays attention to and fashion culture. It pays particular also funded in part by the Don and Mary from the Museum—and the arrival of both major changes in fit and fabric attention to the important role that Hip Melville Contemporary Art Fund, Ruth the Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate to brought on by technological advances Hop artists of the 1990s such as Ice Cube, and John Adam, Jr. Exhibition Fund, the city—the Worcester Red Sox or “Woo to the small shifts in graphic elements, Notorious B.I.G., and Outkast played in Hall and Kate Peterson Fund, Heald Sox.' Worcester has a long and storied logos, and colors, highlighting the impor- bringing the jersey to streetwear styles, Curatorial Fund, and Michie Family history with baseball, and the upcoming tance of these developments to capturing opening the door to the jersey’s incor- Curatorial Fund. Corporate support is exhibition offers a singular opportunity team identity. poration in mainstream fashion, as well provided by Samuel Adams, Country to explore the sport’s most recognizable Among the highlights in this section as to significant collaborations between Bank, Gilbane Building Company, and symbol as a work of art and design in are early design pamphlets and guides designers, artists, and activists within Gatorade. Media partner is The Boston its own right—and in doing so further for sporting manufacturers, including wider political and social movements. Globe. collapse perceived boundaries between never before exhibited items from the fine art and everyday objects. R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company, “The long history of the baseball jer- who began creating their elaborate, cir- sey taps into a profound set of human cular chain stitched lettering in 1923, and Quinsigamond Community College desires, to belong, and to be proud in who continue to provide lettering and proclaiming that affiliation whether as a other materials for major manufactur- player or a fan,” said Matthias Waschek, ers’ uniforms. Also included are a wide announces 2021 graduates the Jean and Myles McDonough Director range of jerseys that span from such of the Worcester Art Museum. “But the early examples as a 1908 Boston Red Sox WORCESTER — Quinsigamond Deely, Mya Martin, Ryan Sullivan jersey has not been a static item. Over Uniform Shirt worn by Jesse Tannehill Community College has released its 2021 Holland: Jessica Sands the years it has changed and evolved, has and a 1909 Chicago Cubs Uniform shirt list of graduates. On Friday, May 21 at 1 Leicester: Alyssa Durham, Ryan Jost, sought to pick up on fashion trends or to worn by Johnny Kling through to con- p.m. QCC will host a virtual commence- Brianna Ortiz reject them, and both designers and fans temporary jersey designs that look to the ment ceremony to honor this year’s 1,441 Milford: Keith Anderson, Kayla have, in turn, brought their own influ- future of innovation. graduates. DaSilva, Jaylin Grenard ences to bear. Now, for the first time, we To view the 2021 Commencement Millbury: Dorothy Katiyo, Hailey can explore this history in a systematic Experimental design Ceremony, visit www.QCC.edu/com- Maynard way.” While the classic button-down jersey is mencement-2021. North Brookfield: Cailyn The exhibition, which is organized recognized as the quintessential look of Beamenderfer, Skye Guertin, Jordan Associate in Applied Science by Erin R. Corrales-Diaz, Ph.D., WAM’s baseball, there have been many moments Olson curator of American art, takes a broad of inspiration and innovation within jer- Auburn: Jacob Paradis North Grafton: Jovelyn Flores, Tara view of the baseball jersey, illuminating sey design across its 170-year history. Blackstone: Jason Torrey McCurley equally its relationships to aesthetics and This includes fanciful and unorthodox Spencer: Thomas Fuller Northbridge: Kathryn Mellor athletics and to collective and individual ideas such as satin jerseys, sleeveless Webster: Gary Watson Oxford: Amber Comptois, Austin expression. To orient the viewer within shirts, and the incorporation of rainbow Dickhaut, Lindsey Donnelly, April Associate in Arts these different themes, The Iconic Jersey colors to designate player positions that Kennedy, Luke Knowles, Samantha is divided into three major sections, were quickly discarded by teams and Auburn: Giuliana Bacoccini, Reese Lemay, Trenton Lovejoy, Emily including “The Modern Jersey,” which fans alike. In this portion of the exhi- Casavecchia, Lauren Francis, Erin Maynard, Abigail Rice traces the evolution of aesthetic choices bition, audiences will be treated to an Gallivan, Nancy Gatui, Paxton: Jennifer Fenner such as fabrics, typography, colors, and array of these unusual style decisions, Danielle Hastings, Michael Imse, Southbridge: Ceasar Alvarado, patterns; “Experimental Design,” which with a particular focus on uniforms from Lolitha Ntonmeu Messa Tiako, William Thomas Brady, Mariana Powell, examines sartorial decisions that deviate between the 1970s and 1990s—particu- Ritacco Nathaniel Santiago from the traditional jersey shape; and larly fertile decades for daring uniform Charlton: Lucas Lanier, Caroline Spencer: Regan Arraje, Olivia Cole, “Off the Field,” which explores the jersey design choices.

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