Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things

Canary Concepts
Canary Concepts

Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things

Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things is in partial fulfillment of Stacey Skold’s doctoral studies. It is a dissertation research study.

Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things is an exhibition with an agenda. The ecological art installations address the consequences of fast fashion—the ecological footprint and the often-overlooked impact on human health and the environment. In doing so, the veil is lifted on seemingly harmless, everyday objects, as invisible chemicals and production practices are brought to light.

In our fast-paced and technology-based society, humans have become disconnected from and desensitized to the origin, process, and chemical makeup of items in our daily life. Fast fashion is a prime example ... in “Beaten”, a pair of denim jeans — an ubiquitous fashion icon, is dissected to reveal the often violent and harmful process involved with the production. Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things will provide visitors with the context to reconsider ubiquitous objects and habits around them.

For Skold, it was work by Chris Jordan, a Seattle-based ecological artist, who inspired this current body or work. Jordan focuses on unconscious behaviors—namely mass consumerism—in every day lives that impact the environment. Jordan is known for his Running the Numbers photography series and Midway: Message from the Gyre movie, which will be projected in the Hillestad Gallery. Skold sees her installations as a bridge between Jordan’s transformative work and the textile industry.

In “Stuffed”, ottomans sit on the floor against an unusual backdrop—a mural-size furniture label. Visitors are invited to pick up and examine the upholstered stools to determine their chemical content. Works such as “Stuffed,” “Wrapped,” and “Beaten” inform visitors about potentially harmful chemicals as well as how to avoid them. Furniture and clothing are often treated with chemicals, which need not be proven safe before they are used on a wide scale. The title of the Exhibition reflects this problem… Canary references the practice of mining workers who would carry the caged birds into the mine tunnels, as dangerous gases would kill the canary before killing the miners. Many argue that humans are the canaries when it comes to chemicals

Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things will close on Earth Day and the eve of the Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design Fashion show.

Canary Concepts and the Hidden Danger of Ubiquitous Things is the basis of Stacey Skold’s dissertation research study: “Ecological Art as Transformative Tool in Cultivating Environmental Knowledge, Environmental Sensitivity, and Environmentally-Responsible Behaviors”. Skold is seeking participants for the study. For additional information or to become a participant, please contact:
Stacey Skold, sskold@yahoo.com

The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery is part of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design in the College of Education and Human Sciences at UNL. The gallery is on the second floor of the Home Economics Building on East Campus, on 35th Street north of East Campus Loop (map at http://go.unl.edu/j5v). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. Guest parking is available near the building and metered stalls are located in the Nebraska East Union lot. For more information, call 402-472-2911 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu.

The gallery will have extended hours Saturday, April 16 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.