Sophie Horton was commissioned to produce a piece for theKnit One, Purl One: Contemporary Knitting and Crochet exhibition which would extend the exhibition out of the gallery space and on to the front of the building.
The starting point for the site specific work on the exterior of the building was the recruitment poster for the Lancashire Fusiliers on display in the Museum. Sophie’s father was a 2nd Lieutenant during his national service with the Lancashire Fusiliers. In 1968 the Ministry of Defence amalgamated several regiments including the LF into the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Historically the LF uniform included a bright yellow plume and red sash and it is this use of flamboyant colour that led Sophie to investigate the use of colour by the armed forces.
She was struck by is how many countries have adopted identical camouflage! In 1991 the MOD had to change the camouflage uniforms supplied to the army as not long before the first Gulf War, it was discovered that the enemy itself had been able to purchase uniforms made with the same pattern. In the short time available the camouflage underwent several changes to make it distinguishable from the enemy’s.
Sophie is interested in camouflage as a vehicle of deceit and this led her to question: What would a camouflage of Touchstones Rochdale look like?
Knit One, Purl One: Contemporary Knitting and Crochet opens Saturday 1st May 2010.
Why not come along to Knitty Gritty Goes Large on Saturday 22nd May 1-4pm?
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