JUHA VEHMAANPERÄ
Juha Vehmaanperä's work is a vibrant tapestry of colorful hand-knits and daring combinations of various textures, all infused with a spirit of fun while dismantling the confines of the gender binary system.
Reflecting on his early life, Juha shares a journey of grappling with societal expectations of masculinity. They remembers suppressing them innate feminine qualities in a quest to conform during their youth. However, today, they embarked on a profound exploration to embrace and express their authentic gender fluid identity.
At the heart of Vehmaanperä's creative process lie the traditional techniques of hand knitting and crochet. These deliberate, slow crafts not only pay homage to the rich heritage of artisanal making but also provide fresh perspectives on it.
Reflecting on his early life, Juha shares a journey of grappling with societal expectations of masculinity. They remembers suppressing them innate feminine qualities in a quest to conform during their youth. However, today, they embarked on a profound exploration to embrace and express their authentic gender fluid identity.
At the heart of Vehmaanperä's creative process lie the traditional techniques of hand knitting and crochet. These deliberate, slow crafts not only pay homage to the rich heritage of artisanal making but also provide fresh perspectives on it.
"Do Machines Dream of Handknit Mittens?"
In their latest collection, "Do Machines Dream of Handknit Mittens?" Juha bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary technology. This collection ingeniously blends 3D printing with hand-knit and crochet techniques. Solid 3D printed components are gracefully interwoven with crochet and knit seams, allowing the pieces to respond to the wearer's movements. This innovative collection ventures into speculative scenarios of DIY cultures in the digital age.
"Do Machines Dream of Handknit Mittens?" is a light concoction of subconscious inspirations. It weaves together influences from eclectic sources: from quirky granny squares to emotive scenes and the protective armors found in video games. It's a glamorous nod to the past, reminiscent of the nerdy joys of playing games at LAN parties, where Juha once aspired to be the digital avatar they couldn't be in real life. Yet, beneath this eclectic mix lies a profound transhumanist and queer perspective. The collection challenges the notion that clothing is an ancient technology that shapes how one is perceived within society's binary and heteronormative framework. It raises the question: am I part of the in-group or the out-group in this complex matrix of societal norms?