Greta Grip is interested in the exploration between the relationship of technology and handmade craft. For Hard Twist 9: Fibre Optics, she is exhibiting two projects: A Knitted Swatch for an Illuminated Sweater and Dot, Sammy, April, Sara from Forest Row Farm. Within both of these knitted projects Grip applies the techniques of knitting by using contemporary materials and technology as a means of expression.

A Knitted Swatch for an Illuminated Sweater is a knitted swatch, which is made from two strands of white electroluminescence wire. As a knitter prepares to knit a sweater, the first step is to knit a square with the needles and yarn that are recommended. This square is called a gauge swatch. It is from this small swatch a knitter can check their gauge against the specified gauge in the directions. This is extremely important first step in knitting in order to have a finished product the size of which you intend. This is the first knitted EL wire that Greta has made, since then she has experimented with other EL wire knitting.

Her other works entitled Dot, Sammy, April, Sara from Forest Row Farm are hand knitted four QR codes (Quick Response codes), representing four chapters, were made from four sheep: Dot, Sammy, April, and Sara, born and raised at Forest Row Farm. One day four sheep were followed: eating, standing, running, and socializing. Then they were sheared. All of this was documented. The fleeces were processed together. From this yarn four knitted QR codes were created, each linking the viewer to the sheep. This work relates what you are wearing to what wore it before you, who or what made it so that you could wear it. It was a slow moving day following the sheep, but that was the point. We live a life of instant gratification, with instant results, much like how QR codes are scanned and information is attained. Capturing this slow process within second with a devise. Grip plays with the historically, slow and meticulous method of knitting with contemporary, instantly reproducible attained QR codes. A viewer may not realize that these codes can be scanned and information can be gained. The idea that these codes hold a secret, without the “key” messages could never discovered, fascinates her…

Co-Curated by Helena Frei & Chris Mitchell Hard Twist 9 Fibre Optics – Textiles in the Digital Age plugs into the juncture where textile connects with computer technology and exposes how the digital touches cloth. On view August 28 to December 28, 2014 on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Hotel.