We are now in the “Back of the Yards” portion of Nomadic Studio. The third month of this five-month exhibit focused on the literal Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago where Stockyard Institute started, as well as the overall yards, alleyways, and other under spoken spots of the city where public and community art can take place. Up first is he exceptionally cool work of fashion designer, educator, and artist, Katrin Schnabl. Katrin was brought to the Nomadic fold by Beth Wiedner who had worked with her several years prior. She’s a major talent and a forward-thinking designer whose wearable tents and knotted plastics sit easily next to her more high-end clothing design.
Katrin’s “#16” is one in a series of studies of plants growing through trellises made of plastic bags. Katrin hand-knotted these plastic fabric structures herself, and has even made dresses out of the material before. With the plants weaving and growing through the plastic, it provides a very simple commentary on the way nature can sometimes overcome a harsh trash-heavy environment. On the other hand, the trellises are also very subtle in that from a distance, they look like more of Katrin’s elegant fashion design work.
One last thing of note, Katrin installed “#16” in the midst of the Bird Sanctuary, so I’m bending time a bit to discuss it here in the Back of the Yards. That said, there was always a conceptual overlap during Nomadic, and it felt tidier this way. This week we’re looking at a lot of plant-based artwork and “#16” feels like a perfect way to kick off the idea that even under adverse conditions, artwork has a way of still growing up between the cracks.
Work by Katrin Schnabl
Plants and Plastic
Website: https://www.katrinschnabl.com/
Bio: Katrin Schnabl is a designer whose work is situated in both fashion and contemporary dance. In her fashion collections and artistic collaborations, Schnabl engages contemporary concerns through research and observation, and distills and adapts her findings through the structures she creates. She is an assistant professor in the fashion department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago of Chicago.
LIMB – is an installation of a limited edition series of framed, knitted plastic membranes, each hand-knit from a distinct variety of recycled plastic bags and suspended from a welded frame. Over time climbing plants suspended below weave themselves into the porous tissue. # 16 is a screen, hand knit from recycled plastic shopping bags, into which plants weave themselves over time. # 16 is part of LIMB, a limited edition series of framed knitted plastic membranes, each hand-knit from a distinct variety of recycled plastic bags, and suspended from a welded frame.
