Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Nanageddony rambling on Sunday

Lucy from RadioNZ interviewed me for Arts on Sunday (Aug 23rd) as one of the craftists (ha!) exhibiting in the Nanageddon show.

I haven't listened to it (as I have no internet access at home at present)... so if I sound rubbish, please let me know and I'll deny any knowledge of anything. Much appreciated.

Here are a few pics from Nanageddon. I didn't get any from the opening unfortunately as I was flitting from person to person and trying to stop my child from jumping all over the gorgeous crochet work that was displayed on the floor. No mean feat I tell ya!

Ceci n'est pas un Banksy... ou une pipe
Flew all the way from London, sent by the wonderful Kitsch

Nanarchy by stiX

Awesome duck made from plastic bags by Shar Young

The exhibition has some neat stuff in it. Head along to Roar Gallery if you are in the Wellington area... and say hey to Gaelen and Becky. They rock!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Action in Amsterdam



While stiX has been having lots of fun in Wellington, i'm embarking on the grand tour of europe - first stop - Amsterdam!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Hearts on Vivian

Finally I have photos! The complete set are here and below are a few of my favourites.


I can't even begin to tell you how awesome it was to have everyone down there doing their fence weaving thing. Each listening to my burbled instructions and words of warning about dropping the little yarn spool on the other side of the fence... and then completely disregarding anything I said and coming up with their own ways of doing things with FABULOUS results! haha

Thank you to my Chief Recruiter, Edmund... to the kidlet for behaving herself the whole day and retrieving our yarn when we did drop it... to the boy for taking the photos... to Pia for talking some guys off the street into sticking around and contributing to the project... to my Dad for his advice about efficiency... to all my freaking awesome contributors for showing up on the day... and to all the people who stopped while we were doing it to ask about the project and to say how cool they thought it looked. (And it totally did/does!)

Stop by and check it out if you are in the area. The fence is on Vivian Street... just before the intersection with Cuba, in Wellington City, NZ.

And finally, Wellington City Council - do something with this land! Extend Glover Park... open it up for art work... community gardens anyone? So much potential for so much community minded stuff now that you've gone and cut right through it with the bypass.

Edited: Thanks Sonja letting me know that my gripe should actually be with Transit NZ, not Wellington City Council. I maintain that they are both a bit crap. haha Surely Kerri could put a bit of pressure on? I'll have words.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Nanageddon!

Come join us!

Press release from the Roar! types:

Nanageddon showcases artists who are hailing the revival of stitching and knitting, subverting the idea of "Nana-craft" and reclaiming the art of craft in truly revealing ways.

In this exhibition, what might sound like the work of a harmless old lady, turns out to be the act of some edgy, post-modern and radical thinkers such as … Outdoor Knit, Di McMillan, Caroline McQuarrie, Athina Moisa, Ann Moore, Rowan Panther, Matthew Squire, Margaret Tolland, Shar Young, and KIRAN-X.


Nanageddon is a re-take on traditional craft methods as we know them …with artists who are using craft as an art medium. Recent talk of doom and gloom, global warming and recessions has prompted these artists to embrace the act of knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, lace-making and so on to positively reuse, reclaim, recycle and re-invent. They’re releasing craft from its personal adornment and domestic decorative responsibilities enticing it into the realms of conceptually driven art. Through their work, the Nanageddon artists are all offering a re-look at our social and political values, and the way we respond.


Nanageddon draws attention to a major shift in political emphasis - altering traditional methods of craft as a means of expressing society’s interest in challenging some of the power structures at play.

It highlights the bigger issues by representing the backlash to our current environmental mess brought about by mass and grotesque over consumption … while at the same time presenting what we, the little people can do to about it. Gatherings of subversive knitters are educating Wellington (and now the world!) on the art of craft, and aim to see an increase in knitting as a way of reviving the anti-consumerism of the past: it's environmental, it's thrifty, and it's damn right useful!

Channelling the Dadaists, hunting down materials, rethinking social mores and ardently shredding the traditional fabric of society … Nanageddon is the end of craft as we know it and its not-for-the-fainthearted!


Join us on Thursday 20th August from 5 -7 pm,

for the Opening Celebrations of

Nanageddon: the end of Craft as we know it!

(And artwork that makes up its own rules.)


ROAR! gallery is a vibrant gallery which aims to support and promote Outsider Art. Its focus is not to define this term but to be open to those who feel connected to an art making approach which is unique, honest, compelling and about a persons total connection with their creativity, uninfluenced by external restrictions and conventions. We're proud to bring you this thrilling combination of talent and awareness.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Proud.

Dom Post today.

Well done, stiX.

And don't forget the fence weaving mish on Sunday...

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Inspiration

Photo just sent by pxt of a fence in Auckland

Fake flower induced smiles.

Awesome.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The fence mission on Sunday

Contribution thus far from stiX and Drop Stitch

Weather is looking like it may hold up... I'll do my best to keep you all posted on that front.

In other news, walked down Vivian St the other day and see they are doing a whole lotta road worky stuff right outside the fence site. I hope like heck that means they are finally getting their butts into gear to do something about it?!?! (Errr... or maybe not... it might impede the fence weaving process.) I'll go check it out tomorrow and post some news.

And watch the Dominion Post this Saturday as there may or may not be a little feature on us. The website will have a more in depth piece which I will share on here as soon as it appears online.

Andddd the exhbition knitting is well underway. I'm just trying to get hold of some promo material from Roar Gallery.

See ya Sunday! (Hopefully!)