Depending on your point of view it is either another form of art or another form of vandalism. It has the world in stitches. Instead of chalk or paint, public objects—fences, statues, mail boxes, etc.—are covered with yarn. The fiber artists as they are called even improve on nature with tree cozies.
It isn’t just for hippie grandmas. June 11 is the First International Yarn Bombing Day.
Yarn bombing: Graffiti’s cozy, feminine side
The bronze statue of Rocky near the Philadelphia Museum of Art irked Jessie Hemmons. She found the statue too big, too macho and too touristy, so last month Hemmons, a 24-year-old artist, bombed him. With pinkish yarn.
“Street art and graffiti are usually so male dominated,” Hemmons said. “Yarn bombing is more feminine. It’s like graffiti with grandma sweaters.”
Yarn bombing takes that most matronly craft (knitting) and that most maternal of gestures (wrapping something cold in a warm blanket) and transfers it to the concrete and steel wilds of the urban streetscape. Hydrants, lampposts, mailboxes, bicycles, cars — even objects as big as buses and bridges — have all been bombed in recent years, ever so softly and usually at night.
And isn’t the word “bombing” so warm and cozy and maternal too.
Video: Covering the Wall Street bull with yarn: A Wooly Trend
Michaels Marks First International Yarn Bombing Day on June 11
Michaels, North America’s largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, celebrates the first ever International Yarn Bombing Day on Saturday, June 11 from 1 – 5 pm with in-store yarn bomb installations and knit-a-thons at five locations.
International Yarn Bombing Day was started to encourage yarn bombers around the world to display pieces of knitting and crochet on a single day to raise awareness of the fast growing art form.
“International Yarn Bombing Day celebrates the art forms of knitting and crocheting, and we want to recognize and support knitters and crocheters by marking the day in our stores,” said Michaels CMO Paula Puleo. “We are continually impressed by the creativity of all our customers, and salute those who share their unique art with their communities.”
And Michaels will sure sell a lot of yarn if the trend continues. Doesn’t Michaels sell spray paint too? What about inviting more traditional graffiti artists to share their unique art on Michaels store fronts? Knot interested.
I have to admit I really like this one.
The World Association of Feline Yarn Lovers has issued a press statement:
We, meow, will celebrate June 11th not as the 1st International Yarn Bombing Day,but(telepathically speaking)as “Get Me That Big Ball of Yarn or Else” Day…
Time for a nap in the sunbeam.
Pass the kitty kibble.
I do not have the patience to work with yarn, but I do like this and see it as an art form.
The video of Olek yarn bombing the bull gave me an idea. If the intent is to soften male-dominated structures and themes, then surely a yarn bombing is underwary for Anthony (dare I say it) Weiner.
I love knitting, weaving, felting, … any fiber art really gets me excited! There
are many yarn bombers in London England that I follow on Twitter, they have regular evenings they go out and about in London. The photos they post of their yarn bombing are priceless! I have not yarn bombed the public yet. But my family would tell you from time to time our home looks like a large yarn bomb went off in several rooms at the same time. Love to all you TAM’s that appreciate creativity!!!!!