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Object Timeline

-0001

2013

  • Work on this object began.

2015

2016

2017

  • We acquired this object.

  • We exhibited this object.

2025

  • You found it!

Dress And Underdress, Temple Dress, Mer Ka Ba collection

This is a Dress and underdress. It was designed by threeASFOUR. It is dated 2013 and we acquired it in 2017. Its medium is bonded silk organza, underdress: nylon power mesh and its technique is laser-cut. It is a part of the Textiles department.

MER KA BA, threeASFOUR’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection, was inspired by the “sacred geometries” of tile-work patterns found in synagogues, churches, and mosques around the world. The title MER KA BA embraces many spiritual concepts: Merkaba is a mystical form of Judaism; ka ba alludes to the Kaaba, the holy site of the Mecca pilgrimage; Muraqaba is a Sufi meditation practice.
The collective’s three designers are from very different backgrounds: Gabriel Asfour grew up in Lebanon during the Civil War, Angela Donhauser is Russian born in Tajikistan, and Adi Gil, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, was born in Israel but grew up in Germany. By combining and layering these ancient patterns, the designers hope to evoke unity in multiplicity, across cultures and religions.
The collection combined universal and ancient patterns with a contemporary design aesthetic and cutting-edge technologies, including laser cutting and 3-D printing. The dress was made in collaboration with architect Bradley Rothenberg using computer modeling in Rhino, Maya and Illustrator software.
The collection was shown in a special installation at the Jewish Museum in 2013/14.

This object was donated by threeASFOUR. It is credited Gift of threeASFOUR.

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Its dimensions are

H x W: 91.4 × 76.2 cm (36 × 30 in.)

Cite this object as

Dress And Underdress, Temple Dress, Mer Ka Ba collection; Designed by threeASFOUR; bonded silk organza, underdress: nylon power mesh; H x W: 91.4 × 76.2 cm (36 × 30 in.); Gift of threeASFOUR; 2017-3-1

We have 1 video that features Dress And Underdress, Temple Dress, Mer Ka Ba collection.

Mer Ka Ba: Temple Dress

The inspiration and design process for the Temple Dress, by design group threeASFOUR.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making | Breaking: New Arrivals.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/404577361/ |title=Dress And Underdress, Temple Dress, Mer Ka Ba collection |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>