SPAMpoetry
2012
Knitted canvases and sculpture
Knitted on flat knitting machine, wool, donated spam emails, computer-generated poems
variable measures
SPAMpoetry is a series of knitted works containing visual poetry from collected spam.
The process consists of 2 main parts:
1. generating poetry from collected SPAM
2. modifying an electronic knitting machine in order to give SPAMpoetry a knitted form.
Concerning the concept, we are interested in bringing together digital culture and traditional handicraft. To be more specific, the idea is to experiment with the form and meaning of SPAM. We turn SPAM into a romantic, funny or even sarcastic poetry and present it in unusual tangible form as knitted garment. To be more specific, we call final result dysfunctional wearable, because it reminds a sweater but is not really a one. Like SPAM, our dysfunctional wearable does not have a purpose. Talking about the form of artworks, one is able to recognize sweater parts in unusual position and size.
Coming back to SPAM, it is generated automatically nowadays. Hence, we aim to apply the same technique for recycling it, generating poetry from SPAM algorithmically, converting into a pattern and uploading to the knitting machine. Of course, the process of knitting is done manually. Thus, we create a contrast between rapid and overwhelming digital world and slow, careful knitting process.
Why we speak about SPAM? First, SPAM generation, distribution, and reception consume a significant amount of energy that is wasted basically. Hence, with our project we aim to draw attention to this fact and find a meaning and usage for SPAM.
And finally, we apply locative SPAM. In the places where the SPAMpoetry has been produced we have been collecting SPAM from locals. The works presented in this catalogue contain locative SPAM from Eindhoven and Malmö.
More about process here.
The process consists of 2 main parts:
1. generating poetry from collected SPAM
2. modifying an electronic knitting machine in order to give SPAMpoetry a knitted form.
Concerning the concept, we are interested in bringing together digital culture and traditional handicraft. To be more specific, the idea is to experiment with the form and meaning of SPAM. We turn SPAM into a romantic, funny or even sarcastic poetry and present it in unusual tangible form as knitted garment. To be more specific, we call final result dysfunctional wearable, because it reminds a sweater but is not really a one. Like SPAM, our dysfunctional wearable does not have a purpose. Talking about the form of artworks, one is able to recognize sweater parts in unusual position and size.
Coming back to SPAM, it is generated automatically nowadays. Hence, we aim to apply the same technique for recycling it, generating poetry from SPAM algorithmically, converting into a pattern and uploading to the knitting machine. Of course, the process of knitting is done manually. Thus, we create a contrast between rapid and overwhelming digital world and slow, careful knitting process.
Why we speak about SPAM? First, SPAM generation, distribution, and reception consume a significant amount of energy that is wasted basically. Hence, with our project we aim to draw attention to this fact and find a meaning and usage for SPAM.
And finally, we apply locative SPAM. In the places where the SPAMpoetry has been produced we have been collecting SPAM from locals. The works presented in this catalogue contain locative SPAM from Eindhoven and Malmö.
More about process here.
We began working on SPAMpoetry in our artist-in-residency at MU in Eindhoven that was taking place within the framework of the M4m mobility programme, supported by the European Commission and coordinated by the Pépinières européennes pour jeunes artistes.
Digital catalogue of SPAMpoetry can be downloaded here>>
Exhibited at:
Solo show Digital Stitches, Narva Art Residency, Estonia (21th – 22th Sept Oct’18)
Solo show “Kootud eksperimendid” / “Knitted Experiments”, Draakoni Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia (11th Oct – 24th Oct’17)
Group show TADAEX festival, Mohsen Gallery, Tehran, Iran (1st – 8th Jan’16)
Solo show Knitting Experiments, curated by Jerneja Rebnak, Maribor City Gallery, Slovenia (29th Aug – 28th Sept’14). See catalogue of the exhibition.
Group show Unspoken at gallery Mitte Barcelona (5th – 29th Feb’14)
Group show Technical Textiles, Berlin, Germany (11th-13th April’13)
Malmö Festivalen, Malmö, Sweden (17th-24th Aug’12)
Incubarte Festival, Valencia, Spain (21st-23rd June’12)
Solo show STPLN, Malmö, Sweden (11th – 18th May’12)
Open Studio, MU house, Eindhoven, NL (13th Apr’12 )
Solo show Digital Stitches, Narva Art Residency, Estonia (21th – 22th Sept Oct’18)
Solo show “Kootud eksperimendid” / “Knitted Experiments”, Draakoni Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia (11th Oct – 24th Oct’17)
Group show TADAEX festival, Mohsen Gallery, Tehran, Iran (1st – 8th Jan’16)
Solo show Knitting Experiments, curated by Jerneja Rebnak, Maribor City Gallery, Slovenia (29th Aug – 28th Sept’14). See catalogue of the exhibition.
Group show Unspoken at gallery Mitte Barcelona (5th – 29th Feb’14)
Group show Technical Textiles, Berlin, Germany (11th-13th April’13)
Malmö Festivalen, Malmö, Sweden (17th-24th Aug’12)
Incubarte Festival, Valencia, Spain (21st-23rd June’12)
Solo show STPLN, Malmö, Sweden (11th – 18th May’12)
Open Studio, MU house, Eindhoven, NL (13th Apr’12 )
