The Knitting Machine | Fourth of July Celebration with Dave Cole
Join us on the Fourth of July for a one-of-a-kind Independence Day toast!
This year, we’re celebrating the Fourth in a big way: with the completion of the world’s largest knitted American flag! Using telephone poles as knitting needles and two large excavators as arms, multidisciplinary artist Dave Cole will attempt to create the world’s largest American flag on the Momentary campus before your very eyes!
Does this sound absurd? The artist would agree with you! Through his work, Cole explores the complexity of American identity with a combination of wit, visual puns, and—in this exhibition—a large dose of spectacle.
Completing work that began on July 1, Cole will use The Knitting Machine to construct a massive knitted American flag on the Momentary grounds, theatrically performing the final “purl one, knit two” during this celebratory event on July 4. The flag will remain on view through July 16 as part of an ongoing exhibition outdoors and in the Momentary’s Boiler Room gallery.
Join us one and all as we cheer on the final stitches live and in-person with bites and drinks available for purchase in the North Courtyard. After dark, we’ll head up to the Tower Bar for an engagement with the artist from 9 to 11 p.m.—complete with a Fourth of July-themed cocktail menu, artist insights, a live DJ, and the best fireworks views in town. Momentary members who stop by can enjoy a complimentary beverage on us.
Though the big hurrah takes place at the finale, visitors are encouraged at any time during the knitting process.
See you there!
Free, no tickets required. Drop by anytime from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
RUN OF SHOW
Note: In case of rain or other inclement weather, The Knitting Machine will not be on display. The indoor Boiler Room installation will remain open rain or shine.
July 1
The Knitting Machine will knit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
July 2
The Knitting Machine will knit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
July 3
Intermission—no knitting will take place, but visitors, photography, and video are welcome.
July 4
7:30 to 9 p.m., Fourth of July Celebration
9 to 11 p.m., Tower Bar artist engagement
July 5 – 16
Gallery Hours, The Knitting Machine on view
ABOUT THE ARTIST
“Art can be both intellectually rigorous and conceptually accessible without compromising either value—I think it comes closest to its purpose when it is.”
Dave Cole grew up working with iron in his grandfather’s blacksmith shop, on the family farm in New Hampshire. He attended Brown University, graduating with honors in 2000. Cole has had solo exhibitions at Mass MoCA, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and The Norton Museum of Art, among others.
Cole’s work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Brown University, where his work is on permanent display.
He lives and works in Hudson, New York.