Media Flashback: CODAME Art, Tech & Fashion

More than 350 attended Codame’s event mixing technology with fashion June 26 at Public Works in the Mission.

CODAME unites art, technology in grand fashion

Originally published at www.sfgate.com By Maghan McDowell — SFGate. Photos by Alex Stover. July 22, 2013

Piece by Anders Nelson (Erogear) in collaboration with designer Becca McCharen (Chromat) for CODAME.

“At a technology event, we’re having some technology issues, naturally,” digital performance artist Tiffany Trenda began her only slightly delayed presentation at the first fashion-themed event hosted by Codame, a 4-year-old nonprofit organization created to merge art and technology and known for hosting about 10 events each year.

“Proximity Cinema” features interactive screens all over Tiffany Trenda’s red bodysuit.

But that was the only tech low point of the evening. Among the many highlights, almost literally, were a presentation from Anders Nelson, Becca McCharen and Dustin Maberry, who showed an LED collar; and Anouk Wipprecht’s “smoke dress,” which gradually emitted more and more smoke as the model moved gracefully onstage. And yes, it had lights. Wipprecht, a Dutch interactive fashion-tech designer, flew in for the occasion and included in her presentation a description of the piece she made for Fergie’s 2011 Super Bowl performance.

Photo: Alex Stover

The event focused heavily on wearable technology, or “technology-enabled apparel,” and was joined by a separately curated Art by Code gallery opening next door.

At this event, which more than 350 attended at the Mission’s Public Works, the theme was primarily interpreted to mean technology that is worn and incorporated into garments.

Linda Franco, for example, presented technology from Machina Wearable Technology that allowed the wearer to manipulate sound by interacting with sensors on the body of a jacket. The inspirations for this piece were quite practical; Franco described a $60 concert in which the artist “stood in front of a computer the whole time.”

Anouk Wipprecht’s smoke dress.

The audience (of whom it seemed only two were wearing “technology,” in the form of what appeared to be LED lights) was treated to a final presentation by Trenda’s new piece, “Proximity Cinema.” A red bodysuit covered with interactive screens telling viewers to “Go ahead” and “It’s OK,” the focus was decidedly more on the art and exploration of wearable technology than, say, something new to wear on a night out.

Garcia with her husband, Keanan Duffty

The night’s unofficial theme turned out to be the intentional combination of yes, technology, but also an artistic, emotional backstory — a key element to any fashion event, according to fashion producer Nancy Garcia, who helped organize the event.

“It’s possible for tech to not have depth and feeling, and fashion is all about an emotional connection — that’s what makes it a success,” Garcia said a few days before the show. “There’s a lot of tech, but it needs to be put together with creativity to really create something interesting.”

Admittedly, any foray into fashion is likely a new concept for a technology-focused group. And one never knows — that LED collar would truly be ideal for after-hours bike rides.

Fashion producer Nancy Garcia (center) talks with art curator Hanna Regev (Left), producer Irene Grossrubatscher, and producer Olia Pospelova (Right).