Little Lace: The Work of Brooklyn Lace Guild – My Functional QR Code on Display

I’m excited to share that one of my pieces, “Rolls of Thread,” will be on display as part of the Little Lace: The Work of Brooklyn Lace Guild exhibition! The show opens on October 10, 2024, at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn and runs until January 11, 2025. This is a special opportunity to see how lace-making is being reinterpreted in today’s world, with over 26 works addressing a range of topics including nature, sustainability, and the intersection of lace with contemporary digital and industrial environments.

About My Piece: Rolls of Thread

“Rolls of Thread” is a project I’ve shared before, and it’s one I’m particularly proud of. It’s a fully functional QR code made from lace, blending historic craftsmanship with modern technology. The piece combines needle lace and bobbin lace techniques, with the QR code itself made of thousands of tiny stitches. It challenges traditional notions of lace by moving it into the digital realm, inviting viewers to scan and interact with the piece.

As I explained in my artist statement:

“Rolls of Thread is an exploration of historic lace craftsmanship and modern technology. Inspired by the fusion of tradition and innovation, this artwork uses silk thread to create a dense needle lace QR code, set against a backdrop of delicate bobbin lace. The combination demonstrates my fascination with merging lace techniques.”

This piece embodies my love for pushing boundaries and showing how lace can surprise us when it’s used in unexpected ways.

A Glimpse at the Exhibition

The Brooklyn Lace Guild has brought together an incredible array of works for this exhibition, ranging from bobbin lace and needle lace to tatting, knitting, crocheting, and alternative media like encaustic, reflective drawing, and cyanotype. The artists in the show are using both traditional materials like silk and cotton thread, as well as more unconventional materials, such as trash bags, electrical wire, human hair, and other found objects. It’s a fascinating exploration of how lace motifs can be translated into modern fine art forms, and how the past and present can be woven together.

Some of the other artists whose work will be featured include:

• Padina Bondar
• Sasha Baskin
• Amy Susan Keefer
• Glorimar Garcia
• Layla Klinger
• Ellyane Hutchinson
• Devon Thein
• Elena Kanagy-Loux

Each of these artists brings a fresh perspective on lace, reinterpreting historical techniques in ways that reflect both the history and the innovative future of lace-making.

Exhibition Details and Events

The exhibition runs from October 10, 2024, to January 11, 2025, at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn, NY. You can visit the exhibition during the following hours:

• Friday-Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Or by appointment

Here are a few exciting events happening in conjunction with the exhibition:

• Opening Reception: October 10, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• FREE Drop-In Cyanotype Workshop at Fiber Festival: October 12, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Tatting Workshop with Ellyane Hutchinson: October 28, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Bobbin Lace Workshop with Elena Kanagy-Loux: November 18 & January 6, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

For more information, you can visit theoldstonehouse.org/exhibitions or follow them on Instagram @oldstonehousebklyn.

Celebrate Lace’s Future

This exhibition is the Brooklyn Lace Guild’s first-ever guild exhibition, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it. It’s a celebration of the rich history of lace and its innovative future, bridging the gap between past and present in ways that inspire and surprise. I’d love for you to join the guild at the opening reception on October 10 or check out the exhibition during its run. Unfortunately, I will not make it to the opening, but I would love to see as many pictures as possible – please, tag me on Instagram when sharing!

If you’re interested in learning more about “Rolls of Thread” and my other lace projects, be sure to follow me on Instagram (@BobbinLaceNet) or TikTok (@CajahYupMe) for behind-the-scenes content and updates on future exhibitions!