Hurray for wooly parking meters!

leanne — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:03:05 +0000

Three cheers for Janna and her fuzzy parking meter!

Installed at the corner of Main and Hastings, Jana used her own handspun, hand dyed Merino wool.

She says: I was a little nervous at first and then surprised when the city worker just got out, swept around me and proceeded to explain that he often gets asked what the strangest thing he’s ever seen on the job is. Apparently this is it.

Too funny. For those who do not know Vancouver, Main and Hastings is a pretty lively intersection – so it delights me to think that yarn graffiti seems unusual. Janna works in social work in the neighbourhood, so its nice to think that her handmade piece is bringing a bit of cheer to those in the area. I particularly like the ruffle around the top!

In other knit-graffiti news, check out Grrrl + Dog’s installation of a public lavatory in Australia: The Knitted Convenience

And, OutDoor Knit’s beautiful Hearts on Vivian fence project. More photos here. Beauty!

(If you haven’t noticed – we’re updating our blog and just moved servers – all missing links will be reinstated soon!)

But is it art?

leanne — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:58:57 +0000

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Knit. From her site: Disclaimer: I am attempting to draw attention to the fact that both spray graffiti and knit graffiti may not be seen as art by all. Which begs the age old question: What is art?

With all the debate over whether or not we should yarn bomb or not, I’d like to turn your attention to this wonderful blog by Knitsch of Outdoor Knit (New Zealand) where she lists the reason why she yarn bombs:

I have many reasons why i do it – the main reasons are:

1. to show people that knitting isn’t just for nanas, and the traditional perception of it being boring is well out dated. I knit because it challenges me, makes me think, and allows me to make beautiful fabric. Knitting tags is almost all i do now because i can try out new ideas, play, and make mistakes.

2. to show the ‘boys’ with the spraycans (and all ‘traditional’ graffiti detractors) that graffiti also isn’t what it used to be, and that girls should have just as much kudos for what they do in the field. Graffiti is art (i won’t go into detail about where i think the lines are) and so is craft – something that has a rep for not being ‘art’ either.

We’re challenging stereotypes. OutdoorKnit didn’t come up with the concept, but we like to do our part. Plus, i’m all about the positive – we need to encourage each other to try something different, to be ourselves, and explore our environment. Whatever that may be.

Hear, hear!

Yarnbombing » Outdoor Knit

Hurray for wooly parking meters!

But is it art?