Architecture and the Body

For two years I have been attempting to track down a copy of the catalogue, "Pricked: Extreme Embroidery" (MAD, New York 2008) and finally, today, a copy arrived in the post. The first artist featured is Annet Couwenberg and her work Embroidery Penetrates is described as an architectural intervention: ...an analogy of architecture as a reference point of identity and intentions in the same way as clothing mediates between personal image and social requirements (p12). when I read this, I keep replacing 'clothing' with the word 'cloth', and I think it comes closer to what I am trying to say here.

Only a detail of the work is shown and it appears that the words of the title are stitched in synthetic rope on ultra-light MDF, with the dimensions: 68.6cm x 2.36m--Annet uses text which references 17th Century Dutch samplers--and suddenly the ideology of the feminine (in a 17th C sampler) criss-crosses with the modern (any discussion of this should refer to Rosika Parker's text,'The Subversive Stitch' on samplers, as samplers were not always what they first appeared to be).

There is a link here I think with architecture and Emma's choice of the quilt form to present her honours thesis. The 'reverse' side of this quilt (if it could be called the reverse, perhaps 'other' side is more relevant) pieces (literally and metaphorically) the many narratives associated with the Callan Park site...the many images, documents, plant-dyed with material from the site, embroidered with text and images.

These many narratives are what forms the basis of Emma (architectural) plans printed on linen bed sheets which belonged to Ivo Gertrude Brenan, the great grand daughter of Ryan Brenan who built Garryowen, the first building on the site.

As two sides of the quilt the plans on one side are 'based' on (have an integrity with) the many threads of story on the other side.

Image: The 'other' side of Reconfiguring the Wall prior to the piecing process (courtesy of the artist, 2007).