European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 26, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Lawrence of Arabia a comprehensive exhibit by Gregory Jensen United press International there s an exhaustive new London exhibition that tells you everything you Ever wanted to know about  Man known across  world As Lawrence of Arabia yet leaves his mystery untouched. Lawrence is  most famous Enigma of  20th Century. Even in our age of investigative journalism and probing biographies Lawrence born 100 years ago last August remains essentially a Riddle. The National portrait gallery tries. It Bills its exhibition which continues through March 12, As  most comprehensive Ever and it is hard to imagine a single incident or artefact of Thomas Edward Lawrence s life which is left out. There s a lock of his hair Cut at  age of 2,  velvet suit with lace Collar and cuffs he wore As a boy a rubbing he made of a brass Tomb effigy. But one image dominates everything in Oil portraits in photographs in a sculpture for Lawrence s Tomb. It is of a slim Long nosed Young Man fair haired and fair skinned but Clad in flowing Arab Robes and dashing headdress. That is  abiding picture of  most widely publicized Folk hero of  Century As one study put it. This is  Lawrence of Arabia legend first popularized by american journalist Lowell Thomas and perpetuated in a limitless Cornucopia of books movies articles and even comics. Thomas who said Lawrence led  most romantic career of modern times tirelessly promoted  notion that Lawrence drove  occupying turks out of Arabia almost single hand edly during world War i. Lawrence fostered  legend with his famous Book  seven pillars of Wisdom. The Only surviving manuscript of its several versions together with its original illustrations is in  show. But no matter How comprehensive  exhibition cannot explain Lawrence s motives for his desert derring do or even precisely what he accomplished. It displays his romantic Arab Robes his jewelled daggers his Lee Enfield Rifle his Silver drinking cup even sections of  desert railway he repeatedly attacked. But it also demonstrates that Lawrence was a sculpture designed for  Tomb of . Lawrence shows him Clad in flowing Arab Robes and headdress. Much More than a guerrilla fighter  Arab revolt in 1916 occupied Only two years. Lawrence was also an archaeologist Diplomat historian poet author intelligence officer translator and mechanical Engineer a Brilliant scholar and an accomplished photographer. It s usually overlooked that his translation of Homer s Odyssey is still in print after 66 years. Hardly anyone remembers his Royal air Force innovations in developing air sea Rescue launches. But with Lawrence  exhibition makes Clear legend took Over from reality. The sheer Range of posthumous Lawrence material is astonishing a Catalon for  show says referring to such displays As a poster from David lean s epic movie Lawrence of Arabia a program from Terence Rattigan s stage play a wide selection of Lawrence books and articles. There Are accounts but no real explanations of his famous  escape his Fame. He joined  air Force under  name Ross later joined  tank corps As  his secret never lasted Long Lawrence said he was guilty of crimes of too much publicity and Only added to his notoriety. Yet in  end even  show s completeness adds to  legend. It treats him royally As befits a Man once called  uncrowned King of  Here Are his typewriter his Raf boots his archaeological camera his studies of crusader castles his letters and dozens of his photographs. In a macabre touch one Case holds  motorcycle he Rode to his death in a 1935 Accident. Across from it is a copy of his famous Tomb effigy lying in Arab Robes although typically enough this Tomb figure does t rest on Lawrence s grave and in t even in  Church where he is buried. This show is one of several events marking Lawrence s 100th birthday. Oxford University staged its own show. A lengthy biography and a collection of letters Are being published soon. Lean s Lawrence of Arabia movie is being re released restoring 20 minutes Cut from  original. Since this portion s sound track was lost electronic wizardry in  rerecording corrects what 25 years have done to Star Peter o Towie s voice. But All these celebrations leave  essential Lawrence mystery intact. None explains Why As  economist Magazine said no equivalent Fame has Ever been awarded before or since for unobserved and self promoted acts of   admission fee for  show is 2.50 pounds about $4.50. V & a show establishes knitting King s work As Art by Gregory Jensen United press International in its first show Ever devoted to a living textile designer London s Victoria and Albert museum is featuring an american born phenomenon Gaffe Fassett  knitting King knitting is now a multimillion Dollar Industry and at  very Apex of it .highest height is Gaffe Fassett says Elizabeth Esteve Coll  museum s director. Almost alone Fassett has transformed knitting into an Art form. The evidence hangs All around in  v & a s display sweaters and shawls glowing with wild or muted colors Brilliant Wall hangings and upholstery. The show runs through Jan 29. Fassett has found Fame. He is  narrator and subject of a six part television series. His books Are popular. His sweaters sell for $2,000 and up and his kits Are advertised in newspapers and countless magazines. I Don t know How it s All happened he says i m like a child playing with mud pies. They just happen to be coloured ones his third and latest High Selling Book of designs derived from objects in  Victoria and Albert s vast collections bears  same title As  museum show Gaffe Fassett at  a a. Fassett lives in two upstairs rooms of a North London House. They re an Aladdin s Cave of color crammed ceiling to deep piled floor with his tapestries Wall hangings sweaters and shawls plus balls and huge skeins of wools. I work very instinctively he says my work is just stumbling across things in a very playful Way. I like to just improvise As i go along. Because if it s All worked out Why do it his hands Are never still. He knits in trains in planes on  London subway. I have never not got a project with me he says. His designs come from everywhere chinese vases broken bits of pottery Leopard skins islamic bowls Flowers Bird paintings what really excited me at first he says was  idea of making something which had  Richness and color of a painting and then sending it out into  world for people to see not Hung in a gallery with a Gold Frame around  Fassett 51, moved to Britain from his native san Francisco in 1964. He visited Scotland four years. Later with  late designer Bill Gibb who bought fabrics. Fassett then a Painter was bowled Over by  yarns and bought 20 samples of what he now Calls this fantastic paintbox.". On  train Back to London he asked a stranger to teach him to knit 20 minutes later he says he had found ois life s work. That s  first piece i Ever made More than 20 years ago he says with a wave in  Musum show. As you see i Haven t changed  his first garment used All 20 colors he bought. Ever since he has thrown in colors with abandon 100 or More shades in a single garment. The hallmark of any Fassett design is color. Basically i m painting and this is my Canvas he says. Painting is too unrestricted  colors there Are literally limitless. There Are fewer colors in yarns but i found when you put one yarn color next to another something wonderful  he still uses  simple stocking stitch Learned on that train and nothing else. I can t do Cable and All those fancy stitches he admits. 22 stripes Magazine january 26, 1989