Natali Abrahamsen Garner: Textiles, time and presence in Basic Stitch
Director, musician and composer Natali Abrahamsen Garner was behind the anniversary performance Basic Stitch. Using textiles, sound and movement, she explored the history of clothing production and created a poetic encounter between art and Jewish cultural heritage.
photo and text: Martin Farstad Borg
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An artist with many layers
When Natali Abrahamsen Garner takes on the role of artistic director for Trondheim Voices, it is with a background that extends far beyond music. As a composer, vocalist and lyricist, she has for many years explored the possibilities of the voice, both acoustically, electronically and lyrically. At the same time, she has been an important voice in projects where art meets history and society.
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The Story Behind the Basic Stitch
One of these projects is Basic Stitch , a performance that takes its starting point from Jewish clothing production in Trondheim. In the 20th century, clothing companies such as Tiger Konfeksjon, A. Mendelsohn & Sønner and Trokofa were central players in the city's business life. Families, employees and customers were woven together in a tight social community.
"Basic Stitch is about the textile industry and the shops that produced their own clothes in Trondheim, run by Jewish families."
She and fellow artists collected original clothing, often preserved in attics for generations.
"Seeing that people have taken care of simple clothes that were meaningful to them, and that carried stories with them – that became a starting point. We don't have those layers of stories when we shop at Hennes. That layer is gone."
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More than clothes
The performance examines not only clothes as objects, but also the relationships that arise around them. Garner points out how shops used to be run by families you knew personally.
"It was a relationship between consumer and producer. You went to the store because you knew the family that ran it. It provided a social connection – and it gave the clothes a different value."
This value contrasts with today's throwaway culture. For Garner, Basic Stitch is about highlighting the craft, the materials, and the stories – and creating a shared space where the audience becomes co-creative through their presence.
The significance of the festival
The Trondheim Jewish Cultural Festival has had great significance for her, both personally and artistically.
"The festival has been there my entire adult life. It was started by my mother and several friends, and it has had enormous significance for 15 years. It is incredibly important that a festival that highlights minority culture exists in a city like Trondheim."
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Time, presence and value
For Garner, it is fundamentally about time and presence.
"We are the ones who give value to things, not things that give us value."
The performance Basic Stitch stood out as one of the most distinctive highlights of the anniversary year. With thread by thread, stitch by stitch, Natali Abrahamsen Garner wove together history, music and presence – and the audience responded with a response that showed how strongly the art struck a chord. Basic Stitch was performed at Trøndelag Teater in collaboration with director Ingri Enger Damon, scenographer Hazel Barstow, musician Tuva Syversen and a strong ensemble of performers.
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