Take This Knitting Machine and Shove it

Lisa Anne Auerbach, Strangle the Last King, 2009, 2009. Photo courtesy of the Artist

Installation view, photo by Alan Fletcher

Lisa Anne Auerbach

12 Sep 2009 - 18 Oct 2009

“Chant no more your old rhymes about bold Robin Hood
His feats I but little admire
I will sing the achievements of General Ludd
Now the hero of Nottinghamshire.”
(General Ludd’s Triumph)

History, politics and humour entwine in the radical knitwear of artist Lisa Anne Auerbach. For her exhibition in the window of Nottingham Contemporary she has woven the city’s rebel heritage into the contemporary feminist movement. Her mini-skirted merry women sport slogans influenced by our local hero Robin Hood. “Wealth, distribution, communal living in the forest and standing with the masses against the privilege of the few are exciting ideas associated with Robin Hood legends,” she says.

The clothes modelled by mannequins in our front window also reflect the history of the Lace Market and its close connection with textiles. The songs of the Luddites (see above), the early 18th century secret society whose members smashed the mechanised knitting frames that threatened their livelihood, also inspired her exhibition.

The slogans knitted into Lisa Anne Auerbach’s skirts and sweaters are taken from French Revolutionary writing, English rioters, Luddite marching songs, Country and Western ballads, modern feel-good sayings and contemporary French philosophy.

Lisa Anne Auerbach was born in 1967. She lives and works in Los Angeles. When she’s not cycling she’s a revolutionary knitter and artist. “Stop making scarves, start making trouble,” she challenges. Find out more about Lisa Anne Auerbach on her website, www.lisaanneauerbach.com.

Venue: Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross Window
Time: To be seen all day and all night