Thursday, April 21, 2011

Yarn Bombing

It seems that street art is not relegated to just spray paint and stencils but can also include art forms like knitting. According to the Boston Globe, "guerrilla knitters" are taking part in the street art movement by decorating lampposts, fences, trees, and even front yards. This practice, dubbed "yarn bombing," can "range from sleeves on parking meters to tubes on tree limbs to sweaters on statues." In Mexico, Magda Sayeg knitted together afghans and covered an entire city bus in her creation.

Although yarn bombing is still considered to be illegal (since the knitters are defacing public or private property), many believe that graffiti knitting falls on the "meeker end" of the street art scale. Jessica Glesby, a graffiti knitter, feels that "yarn bombing is also intended to let people interact with thier urban landscape." Her creations, which she sometimes considers activist projects, are intended "to create dialogue and discussion."

After reading this article I found myself enjoying the street art scene even more. Unlike most art galleries or museums, it seems as if any type of art form can be exhibited - even something like knitting which is rarely, if ever, seen in a gallery.

Matchan, Linda. (2011, February 23). Watch your streets - knitters are on the loose. Boston Globe, pp. A1, A8.

Click here for article.

No comments:

Post a Comment