I am continually inspired by fiber artists who step outside the
box. Knit artist Isabel Berglund is someone who colors outside the lines
and designs by her own rules. Her unique installations toy with
perception and reality, causing the viewer to question the interactive
surroundings she creates.
Berglund studied design at Denmark's Design School, Copenhagen and Central Saint Martins College in London. Her installations and sculptures have been featured internationally in museums and galleries such as Copenhagen Arthall in Denmark, Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, and Museum Bellerive in Zurich.
Berglund hand-knits her pieces in an effort to question the necessity of categorizing art forms. She says "[her] work is designed to place itself in between categories such as design, art and fashion. It questions when a work belongs in a certain category, and why."
One of her pieces, titled Closet Knitter, is a large white closet made from yarn. Inside, there is a sweater that appears to be a chair, and a wig that appears to be a light fixture. The closet, sweater and wig are all made from the same white yarn, making the distinct features of the piece blur together. It forces the viewer to question the reality of the piece and ask: is the sweater actually a chair? Is the wig a light fixture? Is the closet a room? Berglund's sculptures and installations create a new story with common fibers. She creates unexpected realities from everyday images.
Another piece by Berglund, A Social Project, creates an unexpected reality. The exhibition is a small house covered in bright red yarn. Instead of being in a museum, the piece is next to a row of similar houses. Once again, Berglund has us questioning her art. Is it supposed to be a house, or a display of knitwear? For Berglund, it appears to be both. Her combination of the two separate entities is a show, meant to demolish existing societal ideas. The work shows that it can be art, a giant knit, and a house; it doesn't need to just be one. Berglund consistently obliterates classic definitions with her though-provoking art. Her piece Social Project echoes the challenge she presents with Closet Knitter, and further shows that her work cannot, and should not, be categorized.
The unique pieces Berglund creates are innovative and conceptual. I admire her ability to bend visual reality with her work and blur the lines between different art forms.
Berglund studied design at Denmark's Design School, Copenhagen and Central Saint Martins College in London. Her installations and sculptures have been featured internationally in museums and galleries such as Copenhagen Arthall in Denmark, Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, and Museum Bellerive in Zurich.
Berglund hand-knits her pieces in an effort to question the necessity of categorizing art forms. She says "[her] work is designed to place itself in between categories such as design, art and fashion. It questions when a work belongs in a certain category, and why."
One of her pieces, titled Closet Knitter, is a large white closet made from yarn. Inside, there is a sweater that appears to be a chair, and a wig that appears to be a light fixture. The closet, sweater and wig are all made from the same white yarn, making the distinct features of the piece blur together. It forces the viewer to question the reality of the piece and ask: is the sweater actually a chair? Is the wig a light fixture? Is the closet a room? Berglund's sculptures and installations create a new story with common fibers. She creates unexpected realities from everyday images.
Another piece by Berglund, A Social Project, creates an unexpected reality. The exhibition is a small house covered in bright red yarn. Instead of being in a museum, the piece is next to a row of similar houses. Once again, Berglund has us questioning her art. Is it supposed to be a house, or a display of knitwear? For Berglund, it appears to be both. Her combination of the two separate entities is a show, meant to demolish existing societal ideas. The work shows that it can be art, a giant knit, and a house; it doesn't need to just be one. Berglund consistently obliterates classic definitions with her though-provoking art. Her piece Social Project echoes the challenge she presents with Closet Knitter, and further shows that her work cannot, and should not, be categorized.
The unique pieces Berglund creates are innovative and conceptual. I admire her ability to bend visual reality with her work and blur the lines between different art forms.
