Artist Crochets Giant Retro 'Dumb Phones' to Tap into Millennial Nostalgia

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Artist Nicole Nikolich, also known as Lace in the Moon, has created a series of large-scale crochet sculptures depicting iconic early 2000s digital devices like Blackberries, Nokia 'Bricks,' and Game Boys. The work, part of her solo exhibition 'user_history' at Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia, taps into Millennial nostalgia for a simpler, more analog era of technology.

Why it matters

Nikolich's crochet creations highlight the contrast between the handmade, analog nature of craft and the digital, virtual realm of modern smartphones and apps. By translating outdated tech into fiber art, she explores themes of human connection, imperfection, and the value of 'dumb' devices over perpetually upgrading smartphones.

The details

Nikolich, a Millennial herself, was inspired by her own memories of pre-smartphone digital devices like flip phones, Blackberries, and early handheld gaming systems. She uses crochet, a craft deeply rooted in nostalgia and comfort, to recreate these iconic objects in a larger-than-life scale. The resulting fiber sculptures emphasize the power of concentration, imperfection, and the handmade in our daily lives and relationships.

• Nikolich's solo exhibition 'user_history' runs from March 6 to 29, 2026 in Philadelphia.