Artist Nicole Nikolich Exhibits Retro Crochet Artworks
Artist Nicole Nikolich, known as Lace in the Moon, is captivating audiences with her unique solo exhibition in Philadelphia, featuring an array of hand-crocheted replicas of iconic 2000s technology. Her display at Paradigm Gallery + Studio, running throughout March 2026, showcases more than thirty meticulously crafted objects, each formed entirely from yarn. These pieces, ranging from familiar flip phones to Game Boy consoles and early computer icons, are created stitch by stitch, with every item comprising thousands of minute loops. The intricate patterns mirror the pixelated aesthetic of digital screens, effectively transforming soft yarn into tangible representations of digital imagery. Her creations are intentionally scaled up, with once pocket-sized devices now becoming large, soft forms, like a foldable flip phone that retains its original mechanism but with a plush texture, or a game console designed to be cradled like a cushion.
The creative process behind these artworks is as detailed as the finished products themselves. Before embarking on a new piece, Nikolich dedicates significant time to studying the chosen object, examining vintage photographs and actual devices to inform her designs. She meticulously plans the color schemes and translates the original images into precise crochet patterns. This involves mapping out each color square to align with the source screen or keyboard, carefully counting every stitch to ensure fidelity. Only after this rigorous preparation does she begin the actual crocheting, demonstrating a profound dedication to accuracy and detail in her craft. Through this painstaking method, she transforms the cold, hard materiality of early electronic gadgets into warm, inviting fiber art, imbuing them with a new sense of humanity and craft.
Through her exhibition, 'user_history,' Nikolich not only presents a collection of art but also invites viewers to reflect on the impact of technology on society and personal experience. Her work transcends mere replication, as the transformation of rigid plastic and metal into soft, pliable yarn alters the perceived nature of these objects, making them feel personal and handcrafted. Many of her pieces evoke the aesthetics of early internet culture, featuring simple 8-bit graphics found in old computer programs like drawing tools and chat symbols. By recontextualizing these digital relics as physical objects, she highlights the journey of technology from screen to tangible form, prompting a nostalgic connection among visitors who once owned or interacted with these devices. The exhibition celebrates memory and connection, reminding us of the tactile and emotional dimensions that technology, even in its digital form, can hold in our lives, urging us to appreciate the evolution of our digital and physical worlds.