Pulp Fashion's Amazing Paper Art at the Legion of Honor

Starting this weekend, you and your family can experience the amazing exhibition Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave at San Francisco's Legion of Honor museum in Lincoln Park. Pulp Fashion showcases the work of de Borchgrave, a Belgian artist who creates stunning costumes, based on art history and historic fashions, out of paper and paint. Everything depicted, from fabric, lace, and hats to jewelry, books, and fans is crafted from paper, cardboard, and paint only.

Pulp Fashion presents 60 masterworks depicting examples from throughout the history of costume, from the Renaissance finery of the Medicis and gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette to designs by Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. There are also five special creations inspired by popular paintings in the Legion of Honor's permanent collection, which are presented here for the first time ever. Make sure you go upstairs to the Legion's European art galleries to check out the works in person after you view their paper counterparts in the exhibition.

There's really something here for every art lover, with works of art that span different genres and media, and it's a museum outing that the whole family can enjoy. Kids will especially like the trompe l'oeil nature of the art, and there are numerous works depicting ornate clothing worn by children in the 16th and 17th centuries. Don't miss the spectacularly lit tent inspired by the work of eccentric early 20th-century artist Mariano Fortuny. It's lit in blue light, you can walk through it, and—like everything else in the show—it's made entirely from paper and paint.

Today, on the opening day of the exhibition, there will be a special Pulp Fashion family day from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, where Isabelle de Borchgrave herself will present an artist demonstration and lead a hands-on art workshop for children ages 6–12. Programs are free after museum admission.

We're giving away a four free passes to Pulp Fashion at the Legion of Honor. To enter to win, send an email to contests@marinmommies.com with "Pulp Fashion" in the subject line by 11:59 pm PST on Friday, February 11, 2011. We'll choose a winner at random on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

The Legion of Honor is located in San Francisco's Lincoln Park at 34th Avenue and Clement Street. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm. Admission to the museum and Pulp Fashion is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65+, $11 for youth ages 6–17 and college students with valid ID, and free for museum members and children under 6. For more information, visit www.legionofhonor.org or call (415) 750-3615.

Photos: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.