Chicks on Speed theremin update

If you're going to be in Wolfsburg, Germany this Friday 27 November, you should make your way down to Kunstverein Wolfsburg to see Chicks on Speed perform with the tapestry that was woven earlier this year during their solo exhibition at Craft Victoria. Best of all, it's eintritt frei! (free entry)

The tapestry was woven by some very nimble fingers at the Victorian Tapestry Workshop and then turned into a theremin using a high-tech theremin transformer at the Theremin Institute in Moscow.

In the meantime, here's a video of the theremin tapestry in action.

Chicks on Speed

It's always great to hear when past exhibitors update us on what they're up to these days. Alex of COS wrote to us the other day with some spectacular images documentating their latest ART RULES performance at the opening of The Making of Art @ Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt.

COS members A.L. Steiner, Kroot Juurak, and of course Melissa Logan and Alex Murray-Leslie took part in the performance and the outfits were by Kathi Glas/MAD HATS and COS in conjunction with Hangar.org and Christophe Coppins. According to Alex, this is their best performance yet!

Judging by the photos, it does look like a pretty awesome show - second only to all the performances that took place at CVHQ of course. Hah!

Without further ado, here are the photos from the performance. We wish we were there...

All photos by Wolf-Dieter Grabner

Chicks on Speed theremin tapestry: final update!

Here are some photos of the now finished Chicks on Speed theremin tapestry, courtesy of the Victorian Tapestry Workshop (thanks guys!). The completed tapestry look absolutely fantastic and it's now on its way to join the Chicks on Speed entourage.

Here some images of the tapestry as it neared completion and its subsequent dismantling:

Chicks on Speed public embroidery

As promised, here are some detail shots of some of the beautiful embroidery sewn by some very nimble-fingered visitors who passed through Chicks on Speed exhibition Viva La Craft! CVHQ staff were proudly representing the team, with a few stitches here and there, did you?

A detail of a section on the underside of the embroidery.

And now, the final result:

The embroidery is now on its way to Barcelona where it will continue its journey with the Chicks on Speed (and it's probably the luckiest quilt ever).

In stitches

As part of Viva La Craft!, the Chicks have included a special 'Girl Monster' quilt for visitors to embroider on. Over the course of the past 6 weeks, almost everyone has had pulled up a stool and contributed a knotted stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch or just a plain old running stitch. Some have sat there for hours while some spare no more than a few minutes. From time to time, we've also had students from RMIT's fashion course and Monash's jewellery course come in to work their magic by applying techniques learnt at school to the fabric.

These images are of the quilt about 3 weeks into Viva La Craft!. We're in the midst of de-installing the exhibition at the moment, but stay tuned for an upcoming post later this week where we'll show you how far along and beautifully decorated the quilt has become! We won't forget to post some all important close up shots too. The beauty lies in the detail after all...

But for now, have a look at these images to give you a taste of what's to come.

Last days...

Today is the second last day to catch the very exciting and very colourful Chicks on Speed exhibition, Viva La Craft! (if you haven't already that is). It's been a great 6 weeks so far and we've thoroughly enjoyed hosting the Chicks' exhibition.

The opening night set the standard for the throngs of people who have been through the doors of CVHQ to view the show since then, and it's been great to see the show enjoy such a warm reception! There were some great workshops organised as part of the program for Viva La Craft!, and craft guru Faythe Levine (pictured below) even came to town to present a talk and crafternoon session.

You might have already seen images of the exhibition here, but have a look at a few more tantalising images...

In conjunction with the end of Viva La Craft!, the price of the limited edition Chicks on Speed exhibition poster designed exclusively for Craft Victoria is now $55. The poster runs in a limited edition of 110 and has been signed and numbered by Melissa and Alex themselves! We've already sold quite a few, but we might still have your lucky number left. The posters will still be on sale after the end of the exhibition, just ask at the counter.

Another great deal now one is the silk scarf which is part of the COS merchandise rack which you can now own for $105. Featuring a running horses design, the scarf is XXL for XXL-sized fun!

Theremin tapestry progress report

Alex working on the tapestry

Visitors to the Chicks on Speed exhibition Viva La Craft! may have noticed a large tapestry, and reegular visitors might have noticed its steady growth. The tapestry is an ongoing project that is being slowly woven by members of the Victorian Tapestry Workshop. Featuring an original Chicks on Speed design, the tapestry is actually in the process of becoming a theremin tapestry.

Upon completion, it will be sent to the Theremin Institute in Moscow where the finishing touches will be done (or to be technically specific, it's where the 'interfacing and circuitry will be completed'). The tapestry will form part of the Chicks on Speed band.

With only 2 weeks left in the exhibition, stay tuned for more updates on the status of the tapestry.

Here's hoping they'll get it done in time!

In the meantime, have a read of this lovely interview conducted by Beat Magazine where the Chicks talk more about the tapestry, among other things.

CV on TV!

Last Sunday, Craft Victoria was part of a special feature on ABC's Sunday Arts program. It was a great little segment that showed footage of the Chicks giving a quick exhibition tour, rocking out in their super suits and 'big mad hat' (pictured above), and footage from their performance with Dylan Martorell.

Not quite sure what we're talking about? You can view the program by clicking here. Unfortunately for all our international readers/fans, the video is not available for viewing. But we are working on it and we'll definitely keep you posted should this change!

But for now, we'll leave you with some closeup shots of some of the palette bag and mad hats.

By the way, we mentioned how we were playing the game of 'spot the accessory' during Nella's interview. Unfortunately, her pink bauble was cut off from the screen. What an a-pom-ination! In case you haven't guessed, Nella was proudly wearing a Melinda Young crafted pink pom pom necklace.

Viva La Craft!: a visual tour

Viva La Craft! (2008) fabric patchwork by Chicks on Speed (Melissa Logan, Alex Murray-Leslie, Kathi Glas)

We're just about halfway through our fabulous Chicks on Speed installation/exhibition, Viva la Craft! so it's about time that we shared some images with you dear reader!

Taking over the entire gallery space at CVHQ, the Chicks have transformed galleries 1, 2 and 3 into a riot of colour, craft and craziness. There are plenty of things to look at and examine, videos to watch, as well as an embroidery piece that everyone is welcome to work on. Mmm, communal craft. Is there a better kind? More photos of the embroidery coming up soon!

This giant wall hanging featuring their signature 'Girl Monster' design is sitting pretty in the back of the gallery and is the backdrop to the mini-stage the Chicks and Dylan Martorell used during their performance.

Overalls for All (2004) by Chicks on Speed and Jeremy Scott

You may remember our Book of the Month feature on the Chicks on Speed publication that we did sometime last year. With the book comes a bolt of fabric (printed with a Jeremy Scott design, naturally) and a pattern to make a jumpsuit. And now, behold, for this is what it could look like! It's very inspirational. You can also view the Chicks jumping (chortle) around in their own jumpsuits in the music video for Wordy Rappinghood. The video is part of the loop that is being shown as part of the exhibition at the moment, so you can view them in all their jumpsuited glory.

We weren't kidding when we said this exhibition is Bright and Colourful! (Capital B and a capital C intended!)

Fully functional (although perhaps not so wearable) high-heel guitar.

Gallery 3 is housing some very precious objects. Hanging on the wall to the left are the Chicks' very own 'instrument costumes' (pictured below) which they have worn while performing. The photograph on the right is of the Chicks in the midst of a photo shoot shot by the Godfather himself, Karl Lagerfeld.

The two contraptions atop the plinths in the centre of the room are voice-manipulating helmets. Yours truly would compare it against the Sonic Manipulator, one of Melbourne's beloved (?) buskers, although to do so would be a serious injustice... If you had tuned into ABC's Sunday Arts program last night, you would have seen Melissa operating one of the helmets. We hope you managed to catch it!

The exhibition is on until 24 April, which leaves you just over 3 weeks to pop in and say hello. Unfortunately photography isn't allowed in the space so if you're hankering after more images, do give us a call on 9650 7775. We'd be more than happy to help you out!

If you'd like to use images on the blog, please remember blog-etiquette 101 and link us on your post.