20.3.20 Why a body cocoon?
cocoon
/kəˈkuːn/
noun
1. a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae.
2. something that envelops someone in a protective or comforting way.
3. a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment.
verb
1.envelop in a protective or comforting way.
2. retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cosy private world of the family.
3. spray with a protective coating.
Synonyms: wrap, swathe, bundle up, swaddle, sheathe, muffle, pad, cloak, enfold, envelop, surround, encase, enclose, cover, fold, wind, lap, protect, keep safe, keep from harm, safeguard, shield, defend, shelter, screen, look after, take care of, care for, cushion, insulate, isolate, cloister
Antonym: expose
According to this dictionary definition, a cocoon can have 2 different purposes -protection and comfort, but I think there’s also an association with transformation. This is my initial response to self isolation and the Coronavirus crisis. My plan is to knit a wearable soft sculpture during this time. I imagine it will be body sized, but who knows? If this situation goes on for a long time it might be a walk in cocoon!
I’m interested in the ways that the list of synonyms move from associations with comfort to protection and defence and include ‘isolate’, ‘keeping safe’, ‘shelter’ and ‘shield’, which are all becoming part of our everyday vocabulary, in these unprecedented times. Knitting a body cocoon feels appropriate to me!
Why knitting?
I’ve been revisiting more excerpts from my Research Methodologies essay to expand on the research I did for that:
‘Knitting is key to my practice. It’s generally regarded as gendered and has associations with domesticity, clothing, comfort and the body (Parker, 2010). Subverting these expectations, as fine art, knitting can have many other meanings.’ (Baker, 2020, p 6)
I’ve discussed elsewhere how knitting non-functional, unfinished, abstract sculptures which are also potentially unravelling can prompt a range of conflicting responses from the viewer. I plan to expand these ideas further in several ways:
1. Form: I’ve decide that my cocoon will have one opening in the front, but no arm holes. I’m not yet sure about the bottom. I’ll decide that when I get there.
I’ve definitely been inspired by Bea Camacho’s performance, where she crochets herself into a cocoon shaped piece of work. I wish I’d thought of that. ‘Enclose’, 2005, I find especially poignant, generally, but also for these times, but much of her work resonates with mine. (See Artists, Camacho, Bea)
I like the different forms of cocoon –rough, spiky or translucent? I’m knitting it with 2 strands of Cascade 220, on size 8 double pointed, then circular, needles. This double yarn will give it a certain drape as it grows. I’m knitting it from the top down.
2. Colour: I’m planning to investigate camouflage through a collaboration with Hannah Fry (See Collaboration, Invisible). For this cocoon, I have chosen a range of flesh colours. I see the cocoon as a form of self portrait, so maybe I should say ‘my flesh colours’ – pinks, tans, creams etc
3. Pattern:
I’m planning to knit a design of irregular, undulating stripes, which will develop as time goes by. I normally knit out and about, but I know that this cocoon will be exclusively knitted at home, in my private spaces. Again, I wrote in my essay:
‘Knitting in private, the repetitive rhythm also activates a deep and different way of thinking (Corkhill, 2014) associated with the psychologist, Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s ‘state of flow’ (2002); the difficulty of the task is balanced by the level of ability, it’s a place of meditation where time flies.’ (Baker, 2020, p 7.)
More from my essay:
‘Knitting in the ‘state of flow’, I start with an idea but knit intuitively without a pattern. I allow myself a few guidelines, which can change as I knit. I call it my ‘stream of consciousness knitting’ (Baker, 2019). Psychologists Wheatley and Wegner (2001) describe this as ‘conscious automaticity’ where
‘skill acquisition starts off as…conscious learning and after consistent, …practice becomes more automatic and unconscious…it does not require constant conscious monitoring’
It consequently needs ‘minimal attention capacity’ (ibid. p.991-992).’
(Baker, 2020, p 9)
I find that paying less attention to what I’m knitting brings interesting results. I prefer to knit out and about around other people, but if I’m knitting at home, I’ll watch TV, listen to audio books and talk with my partner while I knit. Just part of my attention will be on my knitting.
4. Knitting, verb and noun, as comfort.
Csikszentmihalyi maintains that the ‘state of flow’ is linked ultimately to happiness. I definitely find that the act of knitting calms me almost instantly. This is supported by Corkhill (2005, 2014), whose research suggests that knitting has therapeutic benefits for many people. I know that in these next weeks the process of knitting will be as important for me as the product, as it often is, actually. I’ll be making something comforting through a comforting process. Knitting privately is definitely a comfort state for me and I feel as if I will need to retreat to a meditative state where time flies in the next weeks and months.
The physical piece will also have associations with comfort because knitting, as the noun, inevitably brings to mind knitted items of domestic use - woolly jumpers or blankets. (Turney, 2009) Things we wear and wrap ourselves in! This then brings to mind the body and public vs private spaces, which I’ll look at in more depth another day.
Reference list:
Baker, L (2020) Critical knitting; knitting as a research method, unpublished post-graduate essay
Corkhill, B. (2014) Knit for health and wellness. Bath: Flatbear Publishing
Corkhill, B. (2005) Where are we now? Available at: http://www.stitchlinks.com/research.html (Accessed: 17 November 2019)
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2002) Flow; the classic work on how to achieve happiness. London: Rider
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224927532_Flow_The_Psychology_of_Optimal_Experience (Accessed: 7 November 2019)
Turney, J. (2009) The Culture of Knitting. Oxford: Berg
cocoon
/kəˈkuːn/
noun
1. a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae.
2. something that envelops someone in a protective or comforting way.
3. a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment.
verb
1.envelop in a protective or comforting way.
2. retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cosy private world of the family.
3. spray with a protective coating.
Synonyms: wrap, swathe, bundle up, swaddle, sheathe, muffle, pad, cloak, enfold, envelop, surround, encase, enclose, cover, fold, wind, lap, protect, keep safe, keep from harm, safeguard, shield, defend, shelter, screen, look after, take care of, care for, cushion, insulate, isolate, cloister
Antonym: expose
According to this dictionary definition, a cocoon can have 2 different purposes -protection and comfort, but I think there’s also an association with transformation. This is my initial response to self isolation and the Coronavirus crisis. My plan is to knit a wearable soft sculpture during this time. I imagine it will be body sized, but who knows? If this situation goes on for a long time it might be a walk in cocoon!
I’m interested in the ways that the list of synonyms move from associations with comfort to protection and defence and include ‘isolate’, ‘keeping safe’, ‘shelter’ and ‘shield’, which are all becoming part of our everyday vocabulary, in these unprecedented times. Knitting a body cocoon feels appropriate to me!
Why knitting?
I’ve been revisiting more excerpts from my Research Methodologies essay to expand on the research I did for that:
‘Knitting is key to my practice. It’s generally regarded as gendered and has associations with domesticity, clothing, comfort and the body (Parker, 2010). Subverting these expectations, as fine art, knitting can have many other meanings.’ (Baker, 2020, p 6)
I’ve discussed elsewhere how knitting non-functional, unfinished, abstract sculptures which are also potentially unravelling can prompt a range of conflicting responses from the viewer. I plan to expand these ideas further in several ways:
1. Form: I’ve decide that my cocoon will have one opening in the front, but no arm holes. I’m not yet sure about the bottom. I’ll decide that when I get there.
I’ve definitely been inspired by Bea Camacho’s performance, where she crochets herself into a cocoon shaped piece of work. I wish I’d thought of that. ‘Enclose’, 2005, I find especially poignant, generally, but also for these times, but much of her work resonates with mine. (See Artists, Camacho, Bea)
I like the different forms of cocoon –rough, spiky or translucent? I’m knitting it with 2 strands of Cascade 220, on size 8 double pointed, then circular, needles. This double yarn will give it a certain drape as it grows. I’m knitting it from the top down.
2. Colour: I’m planning to investigate camouflage through a collaboration with Hannah Fry (See Collaboration, Invisible). For this cocoon, I have chosen a range of flesh colours. I see the cocoon as a form of self portrait, so maybe I should say ‘my flesh colours’ – pinks, tans, creams etc
3. Pattern:
I’m planning to knit a design of irregular, undulating stripes, which will develop as time goes by. I normally knit out and about, but I know that this cocoon will be exclusively knitted at home, in my private spaces. Again, I wrote in my essay:
‘Knitting in private, the repetitive rhythm also activates a deep and different way of thinking (Corkhill, 2014) associated with the psychologist, Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s ‘state of flow’ (2002); the difficulty of the task is balanced by the level of ability, it’s a place of meditation where time flies.’ (Baker, 2020, p 7.)
More from my essay:
‘Knitting in the ‘state of flow’, I start with an idea but knit intuitively without a pattern. I allow myself a few guidelines, which can change as I knit. I call it my ‘stream of consciousness knitting’ (Baker, 2019). Psychologists Wheatley and Wegner (2001) describe this as ‘conscious automaticity’ where
‘skill acquisition starts off as…conscious learning and after consistent, …practice becomes more automatic and unconscious…it does not require constant conscious monitoring’
It consequently needs ‘minimal attention capacity’ (ibid. p.991-992).’
(Baker, 2020, p 9)
I find that paying less attention to what I’m knitting brings interesting results. I prefer to knit out and about around other people, but if I’m knitting at home, I’ll watch TV, listen to audio books and talk with my partner while I knit. Just part of my attention will be on my knitting.
4. Knitting, verb and noun, as comfort.
Csikszentmihalyi maintains that the ‘state of flow’ is linked ultimately to happiness. I definitely find that the act of knitting calms me almost instantly. This is supported by Corkhill (2005, 2014), whose research suggests that knitting has therapeutic benefits for many people. I know that in these next weeks the process of knitting will be as important for me as the product, as it often is, actually. I’ll be making something comforting through a comforting process. Knitting privately is definitely a comfort state for me and I feel as if I will need to retreat to a meditative state where time flies in the next weeks and months.
The physical piece will also have associations with comfort because knitting, as the noun, inevitably brings to mind knitted items of domestic use - woolly jumpers or blankets. (Turney, 2009) Things we wear and wrap ourselves in! This then brings to mind the body and public vs private spaces, which I’ll look at in more depth another day.
Reference list:
Baker, L (2020) Critical knitting; knitting as a research method, unpublished post-graduate essay
Corkhill, B. (2014) Knit for health and wellness. Bath: Flatbear Publishing
Corkhill, B. (2005) Where are we now? Available at: http://www.stitchlinks.com/research.html (Accessed: 17 November 2019)
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2002) Flow; the classic work on how to achieve happiness. London: Rider
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224927532_Flow_The_Psychology_of_Optimal_Experience (Accessed: 7 November 2019)
Turney, J. (2009) The Culture of Knitting. Oxford: Berg