Exhibition Opening
‘1/2 Flex' is a three-day exhibition, September 6-8, hosted by Rag Rug Study Group (RRSG) that includes fresh-off-the-loom rag rugs by New York-based artists Mariah Smith and Mae Colburn and invited guest artist, Francesca Martinazzi from Italy. All three use scraps of worn, surplus and discarded fabric to create complex, meaningful compositions that refer to this medium’s domestic function while examining its aesthetic and narrative possibilities. The exhibition title, combining the terms 1.5-bedroom and 2-bedroom flex, refers to the flexible, improvised nature of NYC apartment living. If an apartment can be transformed from a 1-bedroom to a 2-bedroom, why can’t a 1.5-bedroom become a gallery? For this exhibition, RRSG is transforming Smith’s bedroom into an exhibition space to create a viewing environment and discursive context specific to this ‘flexible medium’ of rag rugs. ‘Flexible medium’ is Martinazzi’s interpretation of the title, ‘1/2 Flex,’ translated from English to Italian to English. She points out that this interpretation also evokes Anni Albers’ phrase, ‘pliable plane’.
Register to attend the opening party and / or visit the gallery during open hours.* We will send you an email with address and details.
*During open hours, we invite visitors to bring reworked textiles in all techniques to be documented for RRSG’s digital archive.
Opening Party on Friday, September 6, 6-8pm
Open Hours on Saturday, September 7, 12-6pm
Open Hours on Sunday, September 8, 12-6pm
photo Mariah Smith
photo Mae Colburn
@g_r_a_t_a @smithmariahs @commonloomstudio
Rag Rug Study Group is a research project that facilitates dialogue about textiles produced using worn, surplus, and discarded materials. They advocate an expansive definition of ‘rag rug’ that includes reworked textiles in all techniques including weaving, knitting, quilting, embroidery, crochet, mending, and sewing. They have a mailing list, host in-person events, and manage an online archive of the work they study. Rag Rug Study Group is a collaboration between New York-based artists and researchers Mariah Smith and Mae Colburn.