As patrons walked down the red carpet and were elevated to the second floor of the Ulrich Museum of Art Friday, they were greeted by runway music paired with the eclectic works of fashion throughout the museum for the contemporary exhibit “Coded_Couture.”

Ten different artists’ works are shown in the gallery. Each piece represents a form of computer coding mixed with fashion. By converting one piece of information into another form, these artists demonstrated an allure of history and haute couture with designs rooted in technology.

“I feel like this show is perfect for the Ulrich and the space,” Jillian Clough, a fine arts senior, said. “I think that technology and art have been coming closer and closer together and this is the perfect marriage of the two to represent current culture and current art.”

About 490 people attended the opening.

Each artist used their own form of coding, psychological or biological for example, to create a custom garment for their target consumer or for the garments target purpose. Artist Amy Congdon created the biological coding piece “Biological Atelier: ‘Extinct’ Collection.” She grew cells using tissue engineering to create skin and then she embroidered them on the material. This piece makes the wearer look like the art is attached to their body instead of being an accessory.

Along with the theme of coding, the artists and designers used self-expression, personal history, cultural stereotypes, social phenomena and quantifiable biological data to create the different pieces. 

“There are so many themes being explored [in this exhibition] and the thing that ties it all together are technology and fashion,” Jennifer Lane, public relations and marketing manager of the Ulrich, said. “I want people to walk away from it seeing the relevance of technology to fashion and to their own personal style.”

Not only do museum-goers get to experience the actual work, but they will see drawings, sketchbooks, video projections and be able to participate in different interactive opportunities.

“People can design a dress on a computer screen and they can view it in three-dimensional form and look at it from every angle,” Lane said. “You can also go tweet at the iMini Skirt. There are a lot of places to listen to audio that is relevant to the installation you’re viewing, and there’s videos.”

The museum closed early due to extreme weather and flooding on the first floor.

“We were quite pleased with the turnout,” Lane said. “People were excited to see “Coded_Couture” and it was a great turnout – especially considering the weather. It was disappointing for us to have to close early, but it was a public safety concern and it had to be done.”

“Coded_Couture” will be on display at the Ulrich Museum of Art until Dec. 4.