Hanne Bang’s “In a War Someone Has to Die” Project

| Betsy

Chances are high that you have read about this already, somewhere like Mr. X Stitch or Radical Cross Stitch.

However, I wanted to post this for the people who haven’t seen it or who don’t already know about the work of Hanne Bang, as this project introduced me to her, too!

For those that are familiar with what I write, you won’t be surprised to see this. I’m from a military family, have a cross stitch series of anti-war graffiti, and am deeply saddened by what my country is mired in, although do applaud the many kindnesses that have been done by our soldiers without praise or media attention or selfishness.

Growing up my mom always told me, “No one wants peace time like a soldier.” A shortened version of the longer quote by Douglas MacArthur quote.

I’ve been meaning to write this post for awhile now, but recent news events regarding the war have left my heart heavier than it’s been in a long time. And I know, with all my heart, that my mom and MacArthur were right.

Text and photo from here:

This art project is called “In a war someone has to die”.
I am going to find women from all over the world who will be a part of it.

A couple of years ago I happened to zap by a TV program, in which a journalist was interviewing a professional African soldier. To the soldier`s great disappointment he was out of work at the moment – because there was no war in his region. The interviewer asked the soldier if he was afraid of dying, and the soldier said: “No I am not afraid of dying. Are you afraid of dying?” The interviewer answered: “Yes I am afraid of dying”. Then the soldier said, without any sentimentality: “In a war someone has to die”.

This little dialogue, and the words “In a war someone has to die”, returned to me over and over again. Of course I knew that in wars people die, but suddenly I saw the essence of war and the reality of it very clearly. These words are the main element in the art project. I use this sentence – these harsh words – in a feminine expression, as handkerchiefs and embroidery are.

Be a part of this projekt:
I would like to invite you to embroider/sew the text “In a war someone has to die” on a handkerchief. The text has to be in your own language. If you also want to make a symbol or something else on the handkerchief you are of course welcome.The handkerchiefs will eventually be sewn together into a great wall blanket.(hopefully 200-300 handkerchiefs) It is a commentary on the war and an act af solidarity to all those who must send husbands, fathers, sons, daughters and sisters into war. In a war where someone has to die.

Facts:
Please embroider the tekst on a handkerchief;
“In a war someone has to die” in your own language/mother tongue.
Deadline: june 2012

It is not yet scheduled where it will be exhibited,hopefully internationally. Hanne Bang, Saettedammen 18, 3400 Hillerod, Denmark.

Remember to send me your name and country – for the exhibition catalog.

You can either use one of your own handkerchiefs, or you can write me and I will send you one, in an envelope with a reply coupon, (cost free for you).

Whether you know how to embroider or not is not essential at all. All kind of stitches and handkerchiefs can be used.

If you have any questions you are more than welcome to write here on this page or send me an email.

Mail: hannebang444@gmail.com
Website:www.hannebang.com

Craftivism and the Self, Part 2

| Betsy

So last week over on Twitter I asked a question. And here are the answers. (You can find Part 1 over here.)


Bonus answers!

Sylvie suggested “transcendental craft” as a name for this.

Judith left a comment that added What you wrote about is a sort of art therapy, where we can express ourselves in ways that help us heal. I know knitting means a lot to me, helping me center and relax in the midst of stress. However, I think sometimes helping others will allow us to open wounds and heal ourselves.

And around the web regarding craftivism-ishness:

Casper ter Kuile wrote an excellent post regarding “strategy and craftivism” here.

Heather who’s been tearing it up over at Counter Craft wrote an excellent post called Adventures in Mindmapping Craftivism *and* then let me know about this sweet post over at Trend Tablet called When Design and Craft Meet.

And because it’s Friday, here’s a lovely post over at EcoSalon called 20 Pickup Lines for Knitters (Thanks, @snufkin!)

Craftivism and the Self, pt. 1

| Betsy

So sometimes, you come back from an awesome international trip and move and then get settled and then your blog gets hacked. The past month has been one of those times. If you need to take a breather every now and then, you can play games on sites like 해외토토사이트.

Therefore, in the hiatus, there’s quite a bit of stuff I want to share with you. Yay! One of the things I’ve been working on is activism of the self, our internal activism or self-activism, I haven’t really figured out how to phrase it (have any ideas?). However, it’s using activism/craftivism as a way/tool for self change instead of changing others. At times on here I’ve felt incredibly selfish when people contact me about the work I’ve done with craftivism, as honestly, it all started by accident. When I started to knit in 2000, I was in an incredibly dark place where, seriously, I don’t know know where I’d be if I didn’t find knitting. When I say that “knitting saved my life,” I’m actually not kidding around.

Crafts connection to activism came out of the healing of my own self. As I got stronger and better, I was able to see how crafts has changed me; therefore, it wasn’t a far leap to see how it could change others, albeit in different ways. Over time I realized that craftivism allowed people the time/space to really think/internalize their own views on craftivist pieces, starting a change in themselves. And it is my belief that this internal change in others is what can make the world a better place, because we change ourselves. But first, we need to help our own selves heal/get strong/thrive before we can truly help others. Thoughts?

I’m calling this part 1, because I’m running out of time and won’t be able to upload the snapshots from the conversation on twitter yesterday with some lovely thoughts from the always helpful and inspiring @MrXStitch, @hstryk, @janislena and @thejaymo.

Also, know any Swedish crafters? The new Swedish craft website Zickermans was kind enough to run a lovely little interview with me over here.

Olek Solo Show Opening Today in London!

| Betsy

The show includes real emails and texts Olek has received, “immortalising intimate details of her past relationships,”” according to the Village Voice blog Runnin Scared.

The article, which you can read entirely here features an interview with Olek:

…”Crochet came to me as a result of being totally broke,” she continues. “I had to make a costume in NYC and I had no cash for a sewing machine. I used any materials I could possible find…I even cut my sheets into strips to make pieces. Being resourceful is in my blood as you can see. Crochet is for poor people…that’s why you can find it in almost any culture across the globe. I am just a tiny spider who walked at night in East London collecting items soon to be transformed into crocheted pieces.”

The show, I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone, will be open in Tony’s Gallery from January 27 – March 23.


Grayson Perry on the Great Art vs. Craft Debate

| Betsy

After seeing a post on The Dress Doctor regarding Grayson Perry’s exhibition The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsmen at the British Museum, I watched the first video below to learn more about it.





Then, through the wonderful world of the internet, I found the video below, from the V&A with Grayson Perry talking about craft, art and the digital world. I was struck by two quotes in the video below, “Our relationship to making things has changed.” This surprised me because, well, the reason we aren’t making bread anymore (something he notes) isn’t because we’ve changed, it’s changed because our options have changed. For the same reason people stopped handmaking clothes when the Industrial Revolution came around, technology brought us inventions that save us time and the “hassle” of making them ourselves.





But, then later he adds, “One of the great empowering things about learning craft is… it’s almost like a manifestation, a physical manifestation of, “I can change the world.”” A few times he seems quite damning on craft, while others quite complimentary.

Maybe he’s just like everyone else? Not so sure on the proper definition? And where “craft” begins and “art” ends?