As a celebration and affirmation of the diverse community that is Kings Cross, knitters and crocheters, young and old, experienced and beginners, are invited to participate in ‘I Heart Kings Cross’. The unique project is part of Sydney’s biggest annual public arts festival, Art & About, which offers three weeks of free, fun and engaging artworks and events from 1-25 October. In its 8th year, the City of Sydney produced festival brings innovative and stimulating art by established and emerging artists to enhance Sydney streetscapes.
‘I Heart Kings Cross’ will be run by the catalytic and creative forces of Michelle McCosker and Alasdair Nicol, under the guise of Reef Knot – a local artist collective with a manifesto to increase engagement of the arts by non-traditional audiences. Often using found and recycled materials installed in the public domain, Reef Knot will work with the community and local artists to create 'I Heart Kings Cross', a collaborative knitted installation along the main strip of the colourful suburb.
Kings Cross has worn many hats over its lifetime. From its colonial beginnings through it days as Australia’s music hall and theatre capital, bohemian magnet, writers’ mecca and artists’ muse, ‘the Cross’ has always attracted intriguing characters with equally vibrant dialogue. Aptly using yarn (a long continuous length of interlocked fibres) as both a metaphor and essential knitting material, ‘I Heart Kings Cross’ will recreate the close-knit and binding social fabric that is the Kings Cross community.
The public are invited to knitting circles, which will run in conjunction with Kings Cross Organic Market, to be held every Saturday, commencing now and running until the end of September, 10am-4pm in Fitzroy Gardens. All materials will be supplied, however participants are encouraged to bring their own recycled wool. In case of wet weather, workshops will be held at Kings Cross Recreation Centre (the Rex Centre), 58a Macleay Street (entrance next to Maggie’s café and restaurant). At the completion of the series of knitting circles, the knitted pieces will be installed on various trees, poles and landmarks.
