DIY:
A Revolution in Handicrafts
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September 10 - March 26, 2011
This major exhibition includes works by 16 contemporary artists from the US, Canada, and England and explores issues relating to politics, environmentalism, community and a redefining of a producer/consumer relationship. Through this organization-wide exhibition—presented in the main galleries, SCC’s alternative exhibition space EAT: An Art Space About Food, the Studio, and the Store—audiences can better understand the DIY movement, what it represents, and who is making it happen.
Evolving out of the need for cost-saving lifestyles, DIY (or “Do It Yourself”) emerged in the US as a concept in the 1950s, took root as a definitive subculture in urban centers during the 1970s and could be identified as an international movement
by the 1990s. DIY and indie-craft has evolved and matured over the past decade with little crossover into or support from the established craft world. While still at the margins of the mainstream contemporary craft field, DIY represents a young audience, new energy, and a potential future direction for the field. Essential elements of this movement are through its association with social and political commentary, while at the same time emphasizing the development of strong, local communities, and environmentally responsible living.
Read the full press release here.
Click on a thumbnail below to see a piece
in the show!
In conjunction with the exhibition and in an effort to offer a broader perspective for our audiences these three essays, produced for the DIY brochure, explore DIY, it’s relation to the historical craft movement, and its relevance to the current craft movement.
Craft and Cultural Reform by Gabriel Craig
The 20th century vision of craft was a false prophet. Craft had so long been consumed with sumptuous object production that the origin of craft production – as a form of counter-culture labor protest – was nearly forgotten...Read More
Gabriel Craig is a metalsmith, writer and craft activist who has contributed his writing to American Craft, FiberArts and Metalsmith magazines. He has also lectured and exhibited widely. In 2008, he founded conceptualmetalsmithing.com to advance contemporary metalsmithing theory, advocacy and critical writing.
Make by Katherine Sharpe
At first blush, an exhibit devoted to DIY would seem to be a curious undertaking. By definition, DIY (an acronym for Do It Yourself) is a localized and humble form of making. The term conjures visions of practical solutions to homely problems: grouting the bathroom tile oneself, or laying a hollow-core door across sawhorses for a quick and functional desk....Read More
Katherine Sharpe is the online editor of ReadyMade, a bimonthly lifestyle magazine centered on DIY projects
and modern design. Her writing on culture, design and science has appeared in many outlets including n+1,
GOOD magazine, Seed magazine, and the Village Voice. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
How Bazaar: The Beating Heart of D.I.Y. by Garth Johnson
I never really thought about it this way, but I’m a pretty solid demographic sample of the D.I.Y. generation. My parents weren’t professional crafters, but they were deeply handy Midwesterners who were eager to take on any craft fad to come down the pike. When I came along in the early 1970’s...Read More
Garth Johnson is currently a designer at Perkins+Will architects in Atlanta, as well as adjunct faculty at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. He is a ceramic artist and the creator of Extreme Craft Blog.
2100 Smallman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | 412.261.7003 | www.contemporarycraft.org
Read some reviews!
Handicrafts exhibition a response to consumption-driven society, Mary Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Craft’s new consciousness, Savannah Schroll Guz, American Craft Magazine
A Hands-On Revolution in the Making, Louise Silk, The Jewish Chronicle
Mary Thomas weighs in on the year’s best art, Mary Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Embracing the DIY Movement, Julie Hanus, American Craft Blog
Indie artists opt for DIY approach to works, Kurt Shaw, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Artist Dumpster-dives for Art, by Natalie Bell, The Pitt News
DIY, You Don’t Say?!, By Nina, I Made It Market Blog
A special thanks for our Media Sponsor. WYEP is the leading independent media organization in Pittsburgh building community around compelling music and information content and sustained through public support. An independent voice, inspiring our community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.
