“Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting” originally showing at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City the first half of 2007 is now a traveling exhibit with available dates (in case you are interested) but showing first at the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana April-August 2008.

The trend for craft to get kicked up a notch by artists using such traditional crafts as knitting and crochet to “explore new relationships between structure, design, color, and pattern, and using the materials and techniques to examine pressing contemporary issues that range from international politics and global problems to concerns of gender, race, and religion” is happening at the same time popular interest in knitting, lace making, and crocheting is at an all time high.

But, don’t confuse this exhibit with traditional uses: the installations are exactly as the title states, radical and subversive. Visit Museum of Arts & Design traveling exhibitions for more specific information on the installations and artists and more imagery, plus exhibit availability and throw open those craft drawers to see what points you can make.

1st image, Hildur Bjarnadóttir Untitled (skulls), 1999 Crocheted cotton yarn, wood table 5 x 136 x 136 cm (4 x 54 x 54”)

2nd image, Cat Mazza’s Knitoscope is computer software that translates video images into “knitted” images to educate about sweatshop labor.

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