Sherry Chandler

Donna Rhae Marder sent me a link to this cosy protest by Marianne Jorgensen that was displayed in Copenhagen (I’m not sure just when). From the artist’s statement about the project:

A combat tank which was used in World War II was the setting for this work of art. As a protest against the Danish (USA´s, UK´s) involvement in the war in Iraq the tank was covered from the canon to the caterpillar tracks with knitted and crocheted squares made with pink yarn The 15 x 15 cm squares in pink yarn/thread, were knitted by many people from many European countries and USA. The process of covering the tank was documented with a video and this video is shown in ”Nikolaj, Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center“ (Copenhagen, Denmark) as part of the exhibition “TIME” from April 27 - June 4 .

…

The possibility of “knitting your opinions” gives the project an aspect that I think is important. The common element in the project gives importance beyond words. Most people can knit or crochet a square of 15×15 centimeters, and most people have some pink yarn to spare, and a lot of people are willing to use the time it takes to knit a patch that size and to support the project with the money it costs to mail the patch. I am thankful that people of many age groups, both sexes and several nationalities have been willing to use their time to support the project and I am hopeful.

Unsimilar to a war, knitting signals home, care, closeness and time for reflection…

For me, the tank is a symbol of stepping over other people’s borders. When it is covered in pink, it becomes completely unarmed and it loses it’s authority. Pink becomes a contrast in both material and color when combined with the tank

If you would like to have documentation of this project you can send an email to me at the following address: joergensen.marianne@gmail.com