ArtClothText

  Garth Johnson | Craft

You should go there right now because THIS should not be missed!

Cowichan native knitters were upset when they saw the sweater design worn by the woman in this photo. (CBC)

On a day when Vancouver’s police chief insisted his officers would not act with a heavy hand against Olympic protesters, B.C.’s solicitor general was having to field questions about how heavily Olympic security personnel have dealt with a group of First Nations knitters.

A group of women knitters in the Cowichan First Nation on southern Vancouver Island had announced they planned a protest next week against VANOC for allegedly appropriating their classic native sweater designs. READ MORE

Garland #21 is the latest in a series of interactive installations started in 2006 by artist Shane Waltener, involving members of the public in weaving, knotting and stitching. With his new piece, a series of choreographic sequences have been developed, linking movements associated with stitching and dancing. These are the basis for the performance which stands as an invitation for members of the public to contribute to the piece, and reflect on crafting as a ritualised and communal activity. The piece was devised by the artist in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Cheryl McChesney Jones.

For more information on the exhibition from Craftspace, curated by Helen Carnac, see www.takingtime.org and www.craftspace.co.uk

For opening times at the museum and the events programme see www.bmag.org.uk

submitted by Shane Waltener

Robyn Love with the help of over fifty volunteers has created The Knitted Mile, a duplicate yellow stripe recently installed along a road in Dallas, Texas as part of the exhibition Gestures of Resistance curated by Shannon Stratton and Judith Leeman. The exhibition at Gray Matters continues until March 20, 2008. Love writes…

TRUCK Gallery is located in the Lower level of the Grain Exchange Building, 815 First Street SW in Calgary

Anthea Black and Nicole Burisch will present… CRAFT HARD, DIE FREE: RADICAL CURATORIAL STRATEGIES FOR CRAFTIVISM IN UNRULY CONTEXTS
7pm Wednesday, December 12 at TRUCK Gallery located in the Lower level of the Grain Exchange Building, 815 First Street SW in Calgary

While Craft historians, Feminist historians and fine craft practitioners argue for the recognition of craft within art and academic dialogues, crafty supplies are simultaneously mass produced and packaged as hobby-commodities for affluent consumers, and craft practices are appropriated into the mainstream marketing of alternative and DIY ‘lifestyles.’ In addition, the accessibility of global communication networks have contributed to the increased sharing of craft knowledge and skills, and created an overall democratization of crafting practices. The rise of Craftivism – which often values the radical potential of a particular craft rather than its finished end product – shifts traditional emphasis away from polished, professionally-made craft objects themselves and towards the political and conceptual focus, positioning, and deployment of this work. The rapid surge in Craftivist practices offers an opportunity for new approaches and discussions of feminism/crafts (wo)manship, queer crafting, tacit knowleges and skill sharing, DIY, anti-capitalism and activism.

This presentation is part of TRUCK Gallery’s Soap Box Series