Artist Ponders Stitches and
Time
Despite little chance of success,
Mary Campbell is chasing an elusive record
by Jodi Lee Reifer
Surrounded by etchings of cancer cells, man made birds'nests and photographs of
chaotic scenes - basement junk mostly - Mary Campbell knits.
One of the studio artists at
She started the project in preparation for the Muddy Cup's "Day de
Dada," in April 2002. It was the Stapleton coffee house's first tribute to
the early 20th century art movement that discarded traditional aesthetic forms
and supposed anything - even a toilet - could be art.
"My idea of Dadaism (explores) the absurdity of society," explains
Ms. Campbell on a recent evening in her studio.
Thinking about Dadaism led her to consider "the craziness of
competition" and inspired the piece.
She'll exhibit "Sitting and Knitting" tomorrow during Open Studio Day
at Snug Harbor, an event that invites the public behind the artistic curtain
and into their Livingston studios at 1000 Richmond Terr. from 1 to 4p.m.
"Through doing this, it's really made me think about time and the way time
passes," said Ms. Campbell, a sculptor, photographer and printmaker, who
has knitted at several
Her performance invites questions.
Observers ask how long it takes to knit a foot and if it's even possible to
beat the Guinness World Record within her lifetime. Not likely admits Ms.
Campbell, 48.
The record holder is Ray Ettinger of
So far, her 9 1/2-inch wide knit is only 12 feet long.
"The idea is not really to beat the record," said the artist, a
cosmetic display case designer for Clinique by day.
Her 12-year-old son, Taylor Moore, who sketches futuristic
images of police scenes in the studio while his mother knits, thinks her
project is interesting.
VARIED INTERESTS
Ms. Campbell's interests vary. For 14 years, she created sculptures of the
human heart and arteries. She hoped her work would compel viewers to
deconstruct cliches like "heartbreak" and "Home is where the
heart is."
When the
"I've always been open and flexible to what art can be," said Ms.
Campbell.
A couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ,
abnormal breast cells that have a 20 to 30 persent chance of developing into
cancer. A series of cancer cell etchings on fabric followed.
Knitting has made her more mindful of the speed of aging, said Ms. Campbell.
Her realistic goal for her knitting?
"Long," Ms. campbell said, drawing a deep
breath and laughing. "Eventually it"ll have to be carried around in a
van."
Jodi Lee Reifer covers the arts and entertainment for the
Advance. She may be reached at