(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Stand/Fall II is a 20-foot by 40-foot knitted flag descending on the unofficially titled "Stairs to Nowhere" at Liberty State Park's historic CRRNJ Terminal. The site-specific installation created by Jersey City-based artist Woolpunk® warmly welcomes visitors to the Historic Terminal and has become a staple backdrop to those traveling to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
The installation honors America's ever-changing landscape and reminds visitors that together we stand, divided, we fall. Each stitch salutes every factory worker, bridge builder, and all the hardworking people of America. The artist notes about the starless flag, "We, the people, are the stars. How do we shine?"
Stand/Fall II was created for the 5th Edition of Art Fair 14C in October 2023, beautifully activating otherwise unusable space at a focal point in the Terminal’s historic Waiting Room. In collaboration with multimedia artist Jeremiah Teipen, the original installation projected a digital projection of stars, waves and sky though the flag onto the ceiling of the stairwell. The installation received so much attention and acclaim during Art Fair 14C that arrangements were made to make it a permanent knitted installation.
“Woolpunk® created a magnificent work of art, that perfectly fits both the space and its surroundings,” said Art Fair 14C Executive Director Robinson Holloway, “and we’re thrilled that it will be on view to the public for years to come.”
On March 10, 2024, Stand/Fall II will serve as the backdrop for “Gimme Shelter” a “stitch-in” for artists and the community to create blankets for the unhoused and upcycle used clothing with textiles and embroidery. The event will be held at the CRRNJ Terminal from 10:00am to 3:00pm on the 10th and work in partnership with Art Fair 14C, Liberty State Park, York Street Project and Garden State Community Development Corp. "This project will support and inspire the young children and 175 families in our care. We are proud to be the recipients of this creative community event." Susane Byrne, York Street Project Executive Director.
This is the 10th anniversary of the first Woolpunk® Stitch-In, which reached community members statewide, and more than 20 hand-crafted recycled blankets were donated to the Palisades Emergency Residence Shelter in Union City, New Jersey.
Gently used clothing and textiles may be donated at either the Liberty State Park Office, located at 200 Morris Pesin Drive in Jersey City, open 7 days a week 8:00am-4:00pm, or the CRRNJ Terminal, located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive in Jersey City, open Mon- Fri, 8:00am-4:00pm. Artists and community members who are interested in participating in the Stitch-In should contact Woolpunk® at [email protected].
Woolpunk® is an American artist born in Summit, NJ in 1971. Woolpunk® employs materials and techniques sourcing women's work creation. Historically, she machine-knits fiber installations, quilts sculptures, and embroiders photographs; consequently, her work champions social change. Referencing her unique stitching and use of fibers, she trademarked the name Woolpunk®, which she has been using creatively since 2004.
For the Stand/Fall II installation, Woolpunk®, who coincidentally shares a birthday with Betsy Ross, drew inspiration from many visual artists who tackled America's most famous logo and looked to her grandmothers’ legacies. Her paternal grandmother emigrated to America through Ellis Island and sewed American flags for a living at the Annin & Co. factory, then located in Verona, New Jersey. Her maternal grandmother, a textile expert, knitted a large-scale American flag for her hometown's 1976 Bicentennial parade in Madison, New Jersey.
Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, the York Street Project expresses in direct service to the poor the religious congregation’s commitment to peace through justice.
The mission of Garden State Community Development Corporation is to create healthy neighborhoods through community development initiatives that cultivate the resources of residents, businesses, government and the faith-based community in serving those most vulnerable in our society.
Art Fair 14C is an arts organization with the nonprofit mission to expand opportunities for artists, increase public access to fine art and strengthen careers in the arts.
