CATEGORY | Clothing design

MATERIAL | Images of Myra Mogg’s purple knitted sweater from Powerhouse Museum, image of machine-knitted prototype replica of Mogg’s purple knitted sweater, 100% wool yarn.
TECHNIQUE | Short video clips were generated via ‘image-to-video’ generative artificial intelligence diffusion models, using a source image of the Mogg purple sweater prototype being worn by an elderly woman wearing fun sunglasses. The clips were then compiled, and audio was generated to accompany the resultant video artwork.

Myra Mogg was an award-winning Australian knitwear designer who was at the peak of her creativity in the 1930s. Now held in the Powerhouse Museum’s collection, Mogg’s garments provide profound insights into Australia’s knitwear design history.
‘Knit Forward, In Reverse’ was created in collaboration with generative AI,imagining Myra Mogg as a young woman growing into old age. Hercolourless apparel morphs into a bold replica of her purple, art deco-inspiredhand-knitted sweater, produced using sustainable machine knitting technology. Like design results from current generative AI models, the video is not flawless, revealing the necessity to keep humans ‘in the loop’ of knitwear design. The work speaks to new generations of designers embracing traditional elements of knitwear craftsmanship via technologically enhanced processes.
Ultimately, ‘Knit Forward, In Reverse’ pays tribute to the timelessness of Mogg’s 20th century designs, giving them new life using sustainable, cutting edge 21st century technology.

CITY/COUNTRY | Sydney, Australia