The Handmade Universe: from craft to code and the spaces between - Part One
Following on from Julie's wonderful post the other day when you saw the amazing work being created by Sarah Spencer on her retro knitting machine I thought you might like to know more about the Handmade Universe exhibition she is involved with at the moment.
The exhibition in the Victoria Gallery at the State Library of Victoria is explained in this way:
Not all discoveries are heroic and recorded in books. Some emerge in backyards, lounge rooms and quiet corners, encoded in knitting, embroidery and other creations made by hand.1
Handmade Universe: From craft to code and the spaces between is a brand new exhibition that celebrates the rewards of making and the limitless scope it offers for invention and enquiry.1
Contemporary artists present newly commissioned works to sit alongside rare and remarkable items from State Library Victoria and other collections. Many of the collection items have never been on public display before and will give visitors a sense of surprise at what you would expect to encounter at a Library.1
Two works of immense scale are at the centre of Handmade Universe: Mandy Nicholson’s striking textile work Dharangalk Biik I Star Country and Sarah Spencer’s epic knitted star map Stargazing.1
Dharangalk Biik I Star Country is displayed on the perimeter walls of the gallery, surrounding visitors in a design that represents her Wurundjeri Creation Narrative. Awe-inspiring in scale, it holds us within a Wurundjeri Universe, sharing knowledge about the importance of the stars and the cosmos in Wurundjeri culture. 1
The Library has made available videos of the artists' diaries each about 3 minutes long. Please enjoy this video on Mandy's work.
And the artist diary video below takes you into outerspace with Sarah Spencer's breathtaking work which Julie introduced us to in her earlier post.
Stargazing is a giant knitted star map created by hacking a 1980s domestic knitting-machine to invent the Knitting Network Printer. Measuring three by five metres, Stargazing represents the 88 constellations used in Western astronomy.The map features a new interactive element added especially for Handmade Universe in the form of 842 LED lights. Visitors can light up the stars with the swipe of a finger and learn more about each constellation.1
Finally today you can watch and listen to Kate Just who uses knitting to explore feminist themes.
The exhibition (at the Victoria Gallery in the State Library of Victoria) is on until 6pm on 26 February 2023 and is free entry. No booking is required and there is wheelchair access.
However, if you are unable to attend you might like to explore the Handmade Universe by clicking here.
Credit
1. slv.vic.gov.au