Cross - Twist - Pin is an installation that emerged from a hybrid art residency—a combined virtual and in-person experience examining cross-border cultures through the lacemaking traditions of Slovenia and Italy. The artwork itself was created and documented during a long-durational, delegated performance.

The core of this project stems from a four-hour public performance held in an open square. During this event, skilled merletto (lace-making) masters of both Italian and Slovenian origin engaged in a profound exchange of traditional knowledge. Beyond the mere sharing of techniques, their collaborative act critically questioned the historical and contemporary impacts of cross-border interactions between two neighboring countries that share an enduring passion for lace-making.

By stepping beyond the prescribed patterns of their craft, the artisans allowed for the exploration of new possibilities within a deeply rooted heritage. The resulting installation is an orchestrated experience composed of a video installation and a lace object. It symbolically looks through history for traces of the past to re-think the present and create new opportunities.

The project suggests that we should approach legacy gently, finding new perspectives while still acknowledging established methods and tangible materials. Especially now, as we transition into an increasingly digital world, we must rethink our connection to traditional ideals and institutions.

Throughout the performance and every aspect of its development, the manual work was dominant—slow, repetitive, and standing in stark contrast to today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Lace-making dates back to historical eras where patriarchy and rigid rules shaped institutions like convents, monasteries, schools, and later, galleries. By occupying a public space, the performance encouraged the lace masters to confront and rethink these inherited realities. They acted as transcenders, choosing to disrupt a rigid narrative rather than merely mimic and worship the past.