10.15.06
Posted in Art, Fiber Artwork, NYC, Textile(s), Weaving at 10:37 am by delipics
The Sheila Hicks show, Weaving As Metaphor, was closing this weekend so I made it a point to hike up to the upper west side so as not to miss it.
This collection of her small works displays her weaving knowledge and experience over time. For me, I focused on her weaving structures. I wanted to learn how she created a specific shape or texture. I was also fascinated by the tools and materials she used. Stand-outs in my mind were the synthetic monofilament, stainless steel, and handmade paper she incorporated into her weaving. I was very drawn to the monofilament because I have tried experimenting with it, and I am pleased to see the possibilities of the materials via another artist.
The size of these weavings prompted me to think about small works in art. (Most of my work I consider to be small. Part of my size constraints come from not having a studio and from living in a space-challenged, Brooklyn apartment. I simple do not have the space to go any larger.) From my perspective, smallness is overlooked. We live in a very BIG art culture (i.e. big art=serious or authentic) - wall-sized paintings, site-specific installations, land art encompassing acres - and in what I would call our pop culture - big box stores, McMansions, SUV’s. Sheila Hicks work, while small in size, is large in content. It takes time to investigate the details and time to synthesize that information. Does an instant-gratification culture only want large sized art? Are we lazy art-consumers who don’t want to think past the obvious? Or will people take the time to appreciate the intimacy of the conversation between a small artwork and the viewer?
LOL - small art works prompt big art ideas.
Afterwards, inspired by the show, I took these photos.
The world is made up of warp and weft. (That’s a whole other post - duality in structure - like knit and purl.)
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10.12.06
Posted in fashion at 4:50 pm by delipics
Last night I was hanging out with the Spa Chicks at the kick-off party for Spa Week.
While at the party, there was a fashion show by Tao Freedom. They have the most flattering knits - comfortable, sexy, unique. The best part about the fashion show - real people of all shapes and sizes - not stick-thin fashionistas!
I just learned that Layers on 349 Atlantic Avenue (click for map) carries Tao Freedom - thank you Juuli!
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10.10.06
Posted in Photos, Spinning, Textile(s), Travel at 6:46 pm by delipics
A quick field trip to the American Textile History Museum.
While visiting a friend in MA, we had only about an hour to drop by the museum, so of course the first thing I did was try out the spinning wheel. The second photo is me just trying to get the hang of working the treadle. The docent had me singing a song to get the rhythm right. How did I do? Let’s just say I’ll still be spinning on my spindle for a while.
I had a quick run through the the museum, but there was not enough time to really take it all in. I will be back. I have a little Lowell fantasy going - move to Lowell, live downtown, get a job at the museum, handle textiles all day, do my fiber work at home - sigh!
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10.09.06
Posted in Knitting, Photos, Travel at 4:17 pm by delipics
Trying to pick up stitches on a jiggly train is a challenge . . .
. . . so is taking a photograph while on it. This is the no-flash setting on my camera. I didn’t want to bother the other passengers by using the flash.
While taking the photo, I noticed the reflection of the passenger sitting behind me and what she was doing.
Look very carefully and you will see those are hands holding two knitting needles. To the right you will see the reflection of my camera as I practice my stealth, paparazzi moves. It’s a good thing she didn’t have a bodyguard or I would have been in big trouble!
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10.06.06
Posted in Knitting, Socks, Spinning, Subway, Travel, Weaving at 3:57 pm by delipics
As for knitting in the world of Delica’s Yarns - not a whole heckuvalot going on. Very hectic days means very tired me. I sneak in a couple of rows on my Kauai Blue Socks on my subway commute in during the mornings; evening commutes seem to be more crowded, no elbow room for knitting. My other WIP, for the L.A. baby, has hit a snag. I realized there was going to be a huge gap in the underarm, so I consulted Alex and she said I should pick up stitches as one does for picking up stitches when knitting the gusset on a sock. Lastly, spinning has been very badly neglected. Tomorrow I’m going up North to visit a friend so I hope to get a substantial amount of knitting done on the train ride.
I have to go pack now. One thing about trains, I don’t have to worry what knitting paraphenelia will pass or not pass through the security check-in.
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10.04.06
Posted in Knitting at 7:07 pm by delipics
I do not know why I thought I would finish this baby project over the weekend. Maybe if I sat in the house the whole time and only knitted — it was just so gorgeous I had to go outside and play. Consequently, I am only now just starting the sleeves!
I am also going to blame the pattern for my delay in finishing. Sections of it are not very clear. I don’t mind trying to figure it out on my own, but since I think of myself as an advanced beginner, I tend to spend a lot of time double-checking myself. Even when I do that, I still find mistakes. This is when I remind myself to take the advice I used to give my students, from my art teacher days: There are no mistakes, only “happy accidents.” Yes, it’s phrased for the middle school and younger set, but its essence is true. The section I thought I flubbed up really was not a mistake but an opportunity for me to be creative. I realized I did not have to follow the pattern exactly. I made a design decision that would also save me from of ripping back.
Wow . . . big realization . . . I am not a slave to the pattern . . . it’s a whole new world out there . . .
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10.02.06
Posted in Art, Knitting, NYC, Photos at 3:49 pm by delipics
This long weekend has been glorious - perfect early fall days in New York City.
Sunday was my museum day - Ectopia at the ICP. My two cents: The work ran the gamut - intelligent, humorous, disturbing, confusing, obvious, mysterious, technical. I feel I have not seen a group show in a long time (granted, I did not make it to the bienniel this year) that was visually stimulating and thought-provoking. I hope this is a good omen for the NYC fall art scene.
Afterwards, I am always hungry after looking at art so I recommend buying a snack in Bryant Park, and sit in a sunny spot so you can knit after eating your grilled chedar cheese, ham, and pear on cranberry bread sandwich. I am thinking Bryant Park would be an ideal place to have an outdoors, knitting get-together. You can bring your own food or buy food, there are enough chair and tables, and the atmosphere is pure Big Apple. Someone else has had the same idea - as I was walking by the Bryant Park Grill I saw a sign: Knit New York has free knitting lessons from 3:00 to 4:30 across from the BP Grill until October 16th.
Monday morning started with me flipping the channels. I lucked out and caught Martha interviewing Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark about their new book. Did anyone else catch it? Sometimes I don’t understand Martha. The interview started a little rocky. Martha would ask Tracey weird questions, like, “Why are there two photos of this skirt pattern in the book?” right out the blue when Tracey was talking about something else. After the commercial, things seemed better. Tracey started doing her accents and funny jokes while Martha complained about knitting on circular needles yet she raved about the knitted tea cozy. Then they had a tea party. While I did learn how to properly prepare a cup of tea (did not know milk goes in first), I would have liked to have seen more about the book and the projects. They only showed four projects! I know, I know, can’t show it all, buy the book, but why didn’t Martha do some knitting tips or some type of fiber topic? A tea party? Martha, will our love / hate relationship ever improve?
No matter, I got over it by having lunch at the South Street Seaport with a friend and then walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. I was pretty tired but I came home to find this in the mail!
I decided to buy the Blue Sky Alpacas Cropped Cardigan pattern from KPixie. And now that it is October, I can use my coupon at The Point to buy the yarn. Whoop!
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