Kjersti Andvig's Knitted Death Row Cell at Triangle, Marseille
Kjersti Andvig, a Norwegian artist, crafted a knitted version of a US death row cell for her exhibit at the Triangle gallery in Marseille, France, running from April 5 to May 10, 2008. This installation features a large magic lantern, walls made of wool, and knitted furnishings. Drawing inspiration from the 'tricoteuses' of the French Revolution, Andvig's work connects knitting with the death penalty. She invited death row inmate Carlton Turner to knit his own cell, but due to prison regulations banning needles, her family followed his instructions instead. Turner, who discovered his execution date was set for September 27, 2007, adorned the walls with gang symbols. The exhibit is titled 'Personne ici n'est innocent' (No one here is innocent), challenging viewers to confront human violence.
Key facts
- Exhibition at Triangle gallery, Marseille, from April 5 to May 10, 2008.
- Installation is a knitted replica of a US death row cell.
- Artist Kjersti Andvig learned knitting and was inspired by French Revolution 'tricoteuses'.
- Andvig selected death row inmate Carlton Turner via the Internet.
- Prison security prohibited knitting needles, so Andvig's family knitted according to Turner's instructions.
- Turner decorated the cell walls with prison gang symbols: pentacle, chaos star, Mexican Mafia sigil.
- Turner's execution date was September 27, 2007, but was stayed due to a Supreme Court appeal.
- Exhibition title: 'Personne ici n'est innocent' (No one here is innocent).
Entities
Artists
- Kjersti Andvig
- Carlton Turner
- Bastien Gallet
- Anaël Pigeat
- Aleister Crowley
Institutions
- Triangle
- artpress
Locations
- Marseille
- France
- United States
Sources
- artpress —