The Art Of Dieu Donné
By Marina Rybak
The tender declarations of love precede the invention of paper, yet the outpouring of affections to your “immortal beloved” in the handwritten love letter is almost obsolete. The world without a love letter? Few personal love rituals can match up the intensity of passionate expression on paper, which at times is daring, noble, heroic, vulnerable and always oh so intimate.
In the age of social digital media and texting, putting pen to paper to reveal your feelings is fast becoming a vanishing act. Others may argue that the love letter form is just evolving.
I stare in the state of shock and disbelief at this “evolution” – the mushrooming sites that sell love letter templates and tutorials and as a bonus “add a touch to your romance with sexy sleepwear and ultra fine mesh stockings.” Seriously?
The connection of exquisite, stationary to lingerie is obvious. And I would urge the lingerie boutiques to include refined stationary in their selections, since it is slowly disappearing from the face of the earth. Lets keep the flame of love letters alive.
However if you are truly at a loss for words, yet burning with desire, give or create a little paper masterpiece from Dieu Donne (God’s Given in French) as a token of your love. These are works of art ” in paper and not on paper”. Such a paper gift is worth a thousand words.
As I am familiar with Dieu Donne’s original gallery in Soho, I was happy to rediscover this artistic oasis in their new location, tucked away in the heart of the Fashion District on 36thstreet off 8th avenue. It is a perfect escape from the jittery, noisy, gritty Garment Center.
On a serious note, Dieu Donné is a contemporary art gallery, which since 1976 is one of the first paper mills and print shops in NYC and the USA, committed to the creation of handmade paper as well as elevating it to an art form.
On a lighter note, there is an educational program for children and adults, for they have an actual papermaking studio on their premises. I took some classes when the workshop was located on Broom Street. You can learn and explore all sorts of creative paper making techniques and have an opportunity to be introduced to the creative process of papermaking.
A new exhibition is on view now. Many artists are represented. I would strongly recommend that you go and see the variety of lyrical and poetic paper expressions that are on display. For more information and upcoming special events, please, check out http://dieudonne.org/
Fabulous! I love the connection you made between lingerie and fine stationary. I think if you don’t have someone to send a love letter to at the moment, just write one to yourself! This store sounds great and thanks for the pictures too. I’m looking forward to stopping in the next time I’m in the neighborhood.
Once again you have brought such an amazing connection to the beauty of the past and how we need some of it today. Loved it. Linda Stolow