'Do Ask, Do Tell,' 100% Merino Wool, Dimensions: 8 x 56 inches, Edition of 85 by Lisa Anne Auerbach

…is the new knitted scarf by the L.A. artist (see her website) who has been including provocative political messages (like ‘Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition‘ or ‘When There’s Nothing Left to Burn, You’ve Got to Set Yourself on Fire‘) into the sweaters, skirts and other knitted creations she wears herself – often while biking around town (see her quote about L.A. at the end of my recent piece for Frieze) – but this piece will be editioned by the Hammer Museum (for purchase here) – igniting conversation where ever it is worn…

Do Ask, Do Tell celebrates conversation. Though the obvious reference is the policy on gays serving openly in the US military, the text can also be read as a proclamation about openness in general. When worn in public, it invites dialogue and discussion.
An antidote to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is Do Ask Do Tell. Counter secrecy with openness. Collapse discord through discussion. Ask a lot of questions. Talk back. Bring a voice into the conversation, change a mind or have yours changed. Do Ask Do Tell!

(She is the only person, by the way, to have contributed to both the Sundown Salon book, and the Edible Estates book)