Ada, 1994
Maira Kalman, designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass, 75 x 19 x 12 in. (190.5 x 48.3 x 30.5 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Ralph Pucci The Art of the Mannequin

Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin will be the first museum exhibition to explore the work of renowned New York-based designer Ralph Pucci, who is widely regarded for his innovative approach to the familiar form of the mannequin. Founded as an itinerant repair business run by his parents, Pucci’s company has evolved to global prominence. Having collaborated with luminaries such as Diane von Furstenberg, Patrick Naggar, Andrée Putman, Kenny Scharf, Anna Sui, Isabel and Ruben Toledo and Christy Turlington, Pucci’s mannequins not only expand the parameters of this ubiquitous sculptural form, but reflect major cultural trends of the past three decades.

Posted 13 February 2015

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As Pucci was building his business in the 1970s, the notion of the “super model”—the living mannequin with a personality—emerged. Pucci captured this catalytic moment in his work, finding inspiration from sources as varied as Greek and Roman statues and the getups of the New York Dolls. Pucci characterized the previously anonymous form in new and challenging ways, creating an idea of physical beauty that was more specific, empowered, and diverse than the fashion industry had previously allowed. More than commercial armatures or sculptural forms, his mannequins are agents of change in our attitudes to the body, to fashion, and individual identity.

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Ralph Pucci in His Gallery, 2014 Collection of Ralph Pucci Photo by Antoine Bootz		The Art of the Mannequin will include nearly 30 of Pucci’s most important mannequins, as well as an in-gallery recreation of his sculpture studio. Pucci’s master sculptor and longtime collaborator, Michael Evert, will be in residence during the exhibition's run to give visitors a first-hand look at the creative process, from initial modeling in clay to the rendering of the fiberglass end-product. In conjunction with the installation of mannequins the renowned designers Isabel and Ruben Toledo will curate a selection of jewelry from MAD’s collection which will be installed on Ruben’s famous surrealist jewelry mannequins.

Birdland, 1988
Ruben Toledo, designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass; 74 x 28 x 34 in. (188 x 71.1 x 86.4 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Diane Von Furstenberg, 2013
Pucci Mannequins, Fiberglass; 72 x 21 x 16 in. (182.9 x 53.3 x 40.6 cm) Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Hamilton, 2001
Robert Clyde Anderson , designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass; 73 x 25 x 16 in. (185.4 x 63.5 x 40.6 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz


Organized by MAD’s Chief Curator Lowery Stokes Sims and Barbara Paris Gifford, Curatorial Assistant and project manager, the exhibition will be accompanied by a publication that includes a foreword by Margaret Russell, editor in chief of Architectural Digest, an essay by art historian Emily M. Orr on the history of mannequins and an interview with Pucci by Jake Yuzna, Director of Public Programs at MAD.		Mannequin Molds, 2014 Collection of Ralph Pucci Photo by Antoine Bootz

Miss Z, 1991
Philippe Starck, designer Pucci Mannequins , fabricator Fiberglass; 75 x 12 x 12 in. (190.5 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Motion2, 2013
Pucci Mannequins, Fiberglass; 42 x 48 x 29 in. (106.7 x 122.7 x 73.7 cm) Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Nile, 1995
Patrick Naggar, designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass; 76 x 24 x 7 in. (193 x 61 x 17.8 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

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Mannequin Miniatures and Mannequin Heads, 2014 Collection of Ralph Pucci Photo by Antoine Bootz		Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin is made possible in part through the generous support of Hans and Jayne Hufschmid, with additional support from the Collectors Circle, a leading Museum support group. Events Related to this Exhibition Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Curator-Led Tour of Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin Thursday, April 9, 2015 - 6:30 pm Discover the new exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin with the curator as your guide. Explore this the first museum exhibition of the work... Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, May 7, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Sculpting with Michael Evert Thursday, July 2, 2015 - 6:00 pm Stop by the re-created studio in the exhibition Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin for free demonstrations in sculpting from live models. Agenda> THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN (MAD) 2 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019, Verenigde Staten +1 212-299-7777 www.madmuseum.org/‎

Nouvelle Vague, 2000
Stephen Campbell , designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass; 70 x 24 x 14 in. (177.8 x 61 x 35.6 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Olympic Gold, 1989
Lowell Nesbitt, designer Pucci Mannequins, fabricator Fiberglass; 74 x 17 x 18 in. (188 x 43.2 x 45.7 cm)
Collection of Ralph Pucci
Photo by Antoine Bootz

Sport, 2007
?Pucci Mannequins ?Fiberglass ?81 x 23 x 23 in. (205.7 x 58.4 x 58.4 cm) ?Collection of Ralph Pucci
?Photo by Antoine Bootz