AN EXPERIENCE: Visual Essay on Raleigh Denim Workshop + Curatory

These ain’t just any jeans.

Darren Woodland Jr.
Sep 5, 2018 · 2 min read

“ For to perceive, a beholder must create his own experience.”

— John Dewey, Art As Experience, 56

Sketch of the side of Raleigh Denim
Sketch of Raleigh Denim Store

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

Sketch of Raleigh Denim Workshop

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

Sketch of a sewing machine

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

Sketch of jeans

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.

Sketch of workshop through store window.

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.

Sketch of store through workshop window.

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.

Sketch of street signs outside Raleigh Denim

Darren Woodland Jr.

Grad student at NCSU writting on art + experience.

Darren Woodland Jr.

Written by

Darren Woodland Jr.

Grad student at NCSU writting on art + experience.

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