Mary Kelly's 'The Practical Past' at Mitchell-Innes and Nash examines memory through craft and digital media.

Mary Kelly's exhibition titled 'The Practical Past' was held at Mitchell-Innes and Nash in New York City from October 19 to November 22, 2017, specifically at 534 West 26th Street. This showcase offered a memoir reflecting on Kelly's experiences in the 1960s and 1970s, intertwining her personal narrative with broader societal contexts. Featured works included digital projections of handwritten letters, transforming correspondence into visual representations that address feminist themes. Additionally, an homage to the journal '7 Days' utilized vinyl templates and lint, reminiscent of protest literature. The exhibition also displayed large photographic projections of significant historical moments, such as the Holland House Library during the 1940 London blitz and the 1968 Paris general strike, linking personal narratives to collective memory. Many images incorporated lint, as noted in the exhibition materials. The show employed composite techniques, presenting a hermetic quality within postmodern allegorical historicism. Kelly's previous work, 'Post-partum Document' (1973-79), examined her son's socialization. The exhibition raised questions about whether subtle crafts convey theoretical insights more effectively than grand installations, serving as a refreshing counterpoint to the prevailing trends in the art world.