| Nestled in the bottom floor of Williamsburg’s public art space Secret Project Robot, Brooklyn-based collective Saviour Scraps presents “Cabin Comforts,” a dual installation space and store featuring over 70 contributing artists seamlessly blending an art experience within the simulated comforts of home. “Cabin Comforts” is an alternative to the competitive art world and traditional gallery space; by taking the task of mounting a dual installation and store finds Saviour Scraps both curators and store buyers. |  |
Cabin Comforts – Danielle Jackson
Nestled in the bottom floor of Williamsburg’s public art space Secret Project Robot, Brooklyn-based collective Saviour Scraps presents “Cabin Comforts,” a dual installation space and store featuring over 70 contributing artists seamlessly blending an art experience within the simulated comforts of home. “Cabin Comforts” is an alternative to the competitive art world and traditional gallery space; by taking the task of mounting a dual installation and store finds Saviour Scraps both curators and store buyers.
Overall, the cabin is quite spectacular: the detail is marvelous and enjoyable, the space small, but perfect for exploration. The cabin is partially furnished by wine crates and handmade quilts and features a tremendous, impressive homemade woven bench swing. Saviour Scraps’ primary medium is fabric. The potential of fabric renders history, lineage, culture, memory, the politics of use and disposal and, of course, comfort. For “Cabin Comforts,” donated scraps have been transformed into an entire environment, from the hanging vines above, to the art within, to the grassy yard outside. Inside, the cabin holds a novel collection of merchandise including drawings, ‘zines, music and video, unique utility crafts and decorative arts, sculpture and furniture, wearable art, photography and ephemera, at affordable prices. The cabin also seeks to recreate the quirky aspect of rustic home decor, especially odd knick-knacks and worn, mismatched patterns. Some of the items reveal a post-ironic sensibility, such as chocolates shaped like a "3-D Hepatitis C Virus" or "crocheted fungus." Favorite items include Embroidered Punchcards by Cody Trepte ($65), miniature To-Go Pockets by Shabd Simon Alexander ($25), silk-screened pillows by Luren Jensen, crocheted coral neckwear by Jojo Li and DVDs of video art by Avenue D ($9).
Saviour Scraps is comprised of Katie Kline, Jojo, Li, Brieana Ruais and Shabd Simon-Alexander who have been merging practices in sculpture, video, photography and drawing since 2005. Thus far they have accomplished a total of five diverse and innovative projects, “Cabin Comforts” included, that transcend the lines of installation, public art, performance, plus art and crafts and invite viewers to participate with full interactivity. “Cabin Comforts” can be seen at www.saviourscraps.org/cabincomforts.
“Cabin Comforts” can be viewed through October at Secret Project Robot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Saviour Scraps is regularly accepting new items for the store.
