Yes, But Is It Art?

I took some time this morning to read a couple of articles someone at work handed me yesterday about a new exhibit at the Museum of Art and Design down in New York City. The exhibit is called "Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting" and features artists who are (according to the New York Times) mimicking "the look or logic of knitting and lace" and translating "it into different materials". The works range in size from miniature knitted sweaters and gloves a mere 3/8" long to works so large they are only included as video installations.

One artists asks "What if knitting was seen as something dark and dangerous?" Interesting question. His work, a full sized wool body sock with knitting needles stuck into it, reflects his reaction to the airlines' ban on knitting needles on planes in the wake of 9/11.

In a companion article, the NY Times* talks about getcrafty.com, a website dedicated to making Home Ec hip. The founder of the website, Jean Railla, offers this observation: "In a world of thousand-dollar 'it' bags, and hyperconsumerism, one of the most political things you can do is to make something yourself." Bracing words for a Tuesday morning, no? But like the news article, I have to give the last word to Debbie Stoller: "I think it's awesome that people are using needlecraft as a medium. It has a lot of associations, from the cheesy to the feminist. But I don't think every single scarf needs to be elevated to art." Thank goodness for that! With the pressure of creating art on me too, I might never finish a project!

NY Times, 1/27/07, pps. B9 & 12