On September 13th Ian Berry opened an exhibition at the birthplace of the inventor of the modern jean, Levi Strauss. In a museum that looks back over the life of one of the world's most iconic names, it now also examines the years of Ian Berry's work who of course makes all of his work out of the material so synonymous with the man who emigrated from Germany to make his fortune: Denim jeans
In these strange times it was great to get an event on, but the opening happened in restricted circumstances, thankfully with a warm German evening in the sun, a socially distanced crowd watched as the Mayor, Michael Karmann welcomed Ian Berry to the town of Buttenheim along with curator Tanja Roppelt. Many guest had travelled from all over Germany as well as Austria to see this opening, in the year of the 20th Anniversary of the museum.
Scroll through to see images of the exhibition by Peter Weigelt or click here
For the last 15 years Ian has been crafting his work out of the indigo dyed textile and this will commence two years of museum shows for the Yorkshire born artist. Many works are on display throughout the museum including from the Behind Closed Doors and Hotel California collections and the exhibition will help mark the special 20th Anniversary of the museum. They are located in the two main galleries with The Record Store and the Secret Garden in the windows of the shop/reception. The oldest piece in the show is 10 years old, ‘Commuters’.
Scroll through to see images of the Socially Distanced opening or click here - by Peter Weigelt
It was Berry's first showing of his work in Germany and he was there to meet the guests at the opening who had brought items to sign, as well as gifts - and of course… old jeans! many who had known Ian’s works for many times were surprised to find how layered they were in real life, after only seeing them secondary.
Once again a version of the Secret Garden was hung, with the help of Cone denim and Tonello in Italy.
‘It’s great to show in such a historic place, with the help of two companies that are doing so much for the sustainable future, with Tonello and their specialist washing machines and lasers and Cone denim who have partnered with Oritain with their unique scientific approach to provide greater visibility into the story and traceability behind their cotton’s origin.’
A special projection also was shown at the museum in Buttenheim.
There was a projection of #iclapfor on the front of the museum once it dropped dark. Iclapfor was Ian and his son’s project that has spread around the globe to show thanks for the key workers around the world as well as asking who people clap for. A documentary was shown in the film room and an emotional audience were very receptive.
As we head back in to darker times, with restrictions tightening and infections increasing it is still important to remember those who are supporting us through this. You can find out more about #iclapfor at www.iclapfor.com
‘It was such a great experience to meet so many people and to be looked after so well by the people of Buttenheim - especially Tanja Roppelt, (the curator) who worked so hard with me to get this show on and we shared so many nice stories as well as Mayor Michael Karmann and his family who showed me around the towns and villages with satisfaction. The great Bavarian food and beer was part of this experience but spending time with these people and learning about their community was inspiring, seeing once again (as previous locations) how their passion and pride makes things happen.’ Ian Berry
Elizabeth Steeger seen through the crowd at the opening
About the Museum
Ian met Elizabeth Steeger , the lady who in the spring of 1983 was trying to organize a “German Fest” and wrote to the former Mayor of Buttenheim, asking for information about the birth of Levi Strauss. This started intensive research to be conducted in the register of births and deaths of the Jewish community of Buttenheim and the emigration documents of the Bamberg state archives and finally it proved that Levi Strauss was born in Buttenheim, a town in the Upper Franconian district of Bamberg. Not only that, they discovered his house was still standing and was one of the oldest houses in Buttenheim.
The district council bought the house in 1987, which was built approximately in 1687 and today is classified as a historical monument. An elaborate renovation of the dilapidated half-timbered house began, during which the house of birth of Levi Strauss was reconstructed as true to the original as possible. The idea to donate a museum to the history of indigo and denim took shape.
Ian Berry with curator Tanja Roppelt and Mayor Michael Karmann
‘the museum is impressive both in its renovation of the past, as well as its more contemporary extensions. I was actually really impressed to find this stunning place and was an honour to spend so much time there, and help celebrate their 20th year. For anyone who can ever get there whether during my show or in years in future, it is a brilliant place for history lovers and denimheads’ Ian added
The museum opened in September 2000 and revolves around the world’s most famous pair of pants and the biography of Levi Strauss. Visitors gain an insight into the lives of rural Franconian Jewish Community, the world of the immigrants, the beginnings of the textile industry and of course, all about the phenomenon of jeans. Short films, audio guides (in many languages), moving graphics and a collection of different pieces made from the legendary blue cotton cloth show the development of the jeans that serves as a meeting point for the curious, collectors, specialists and jean-wearers of every age.
An exhibit in the Levi Strauss Museum in Buttenheim
After over a decade of success, the Museum planned to begin its next chapter by adding on an extension to the Levi Strauss birth house. With the help of Levi’s great-grandnephew, Dr. Douglas Goldman in California, the Museum was ceremoniously opened on May 21st, 2011, marking the beginning of a new phase in the Museum’s history.
When the Museum opened back in 2000, hardly anyone anticipated its rapid success. Nevertheless, both Museum guests and professionals has seen the Levi Strauss Museum become a popular success and going strong in its 20th year. Every year, thousands of people visit Buttenheim from all over the world in order to experience the Museum and see where the idea of Jeans all began. Due to the high number of visitors and the many projects and events, the 130 square meters of the original birth house was almost always filled to its maximum capacity. Therefore, the Museum decided to extend to a neighbouring house, which would give the Museum over 500 square meters of available display space after renovations. The new extension allowed the Museum to continue to develop the Levi Strauss experience with a new archive to store the Museum’s historical collection and help preserve their historical pieces.
While everyone had to wear masks, some were more creative. by Peter Weigelt
‘I really must thank everyone who made this trip so enjoyable, especially Tanja Roppelt and Michael Karmann and all the people I came across from the hotel to all the visitors who came to see the work.
The main regional paper, InFranken, reported';
’Völlig unprätentiös und ohne irgendwelche Starallüren freute sich der Künstler, dass er seine Arbeiten, quasi am Ursprungsort des Denim, dem Geburtsort von Levi Strauss, zeigen kann.’
(Completely unpretentious and without any starry airs, the artist was happy to be able to show his work at the place of origin of denim, the birthplace of Levi Strauss.) while commenting on how it was a big draw to be able to bring Ian to the museum.
About the Artist: Ian Berry
Ian Berry has been working with denim for the last 15 years, but he is more than the material he works with. During the Covid period his work took on a new life, having spent years portraying isolation. His Behind Closed Doors body of work became life for most of us, he had painstakingly crafted beautiful homes out of only denim but with a haunting scene of loneliness. Even his bar scenes or the work from Hotel California depicted a perception of solitude.
He works from photoshoots he either takes, or directs, and all of them were cancelled in the first week of lockdown. Many people sent him photos of their home isolation. Then, along with his son Elliott, 6, he made two applauding hands. Clapping for the health heroes had been a big part of British life for the first ten weeks of the Covid period. Ian’s son was particularly captivated and it enabled Ian to explain more what was going on while he was engaged. What started as a personal project between father and son, ended up been beamed all over the world via projections. It covers the whole of the UK and Ireland and was seen as far as Australia, Colombia and Brazil amongst many others. It became a big campaign called #iclapfor and a film will be shown at the museum.
Ian, original from Huddersfield lives and works in East London amongst thousands of pairs of jeans that he recycles to create almost photorealistic pieces and installations. He has been named a top 30 artist under 30 in the world as well as a top 50 name in denim worldwide in 2019 and now he will show at a historical home of one of the materials of our time.
This will start a series of museum shows. On November 28th Ian Berry will open Splendid Isolation at the Museum Rijswijk in Holland. The show at his home town of Huddersfield (in the center of the industrial revolution) is under doubt regarding Covid but in the fall of 2021 a large solo show will open at the National Museum of Textiles (Textiel Museet) in Boras, Sweden. Further shows are TBA due to covid issues.
Ian Berry at the Levi Strauss Museum, Buttenheim
Details
13 Sept - 8 November 2020
Marktstr. 31-33 96155 Buttenheim
Phone: +49 95 45 - 44 26 02
email: levi-strauss-museum(at)buttenheim.de
*Due to the current situation, the planned two-day anniversary celebrations cannot take place within the planned framework and will be postponed to a later date.