Ayrika’s contribution to preserving the California experience includes repurposing old photographs that cannot be recycled due to the chemical processes by which they were created. The best options for reusing photographs include donating them to a museum, gifting them to a school for art projects, or shredding them for packing paper.

The process begins by applying a gel medium to a cabinet card, then pressing a square of muslin onto the treated photograph, followed by peeling away the paper backing. This leaves a transfer of the original photograph on the muslin, which will be sewn onto the coat’s exterior.

In this exhibit, Ayrika will present a coat she built modeled from a Vogue pattern from 1949. This coat was selected for its flattering shape and substantial surface space to accommodate the transfer of historical and contemporary photographs alike.

The decision to use old photographs as a centerpiece for the design was based on the museum’s mission to preserve the California experience. The current political, social, and economic landscape was shaped by those who lived before us. Ayrika believes it is important to reflect on the histories of those from the past if we are to create a future worth preserving for the next generation.