AN EXPERIENCE: Visual Essay on Raleigh Denim Workshop + Curatory
These ain’t just any jeans.
“ For to perceive, a beholder must create his own experience.”
— John Dewey, Art As Experience, 56


Raleigh Denim provided and excellent case-study to explore the anatomy and physiology of a narrative experience.

The inclusion of the workshop, where viewers can peer into the process of the creator forced a deeper appreciation of the object (jeans).

The process of creation, the steps and flow, imbue the object or product with narrative qualities that inform the experience the viewer will undertake.

When interviewing the employees at Raleigh Denim, the jeans took on a story. From the history of the company, to the blend of the fabrics, to the origin of the machines used to make them, a richer understanding of the product was realized.

It is easy to point out that this setup is atypical compared to that of an art museum or gallery. It is more akin to the artist studio. So, naturally the relationships between creator, viewer, and object are much closer.

The advantage of this particular space is a real dialogue between the creators and the viewers. Armed with intentions beyond those of the average customer, a rewarding experience is inevitable.

