In the past three days, I’ve seen two local examples of what I think are knitted graffiti, or, to use the terminology of the vandals, “yarn bombing.” One was on the back deck of Ypsi’s Cafe Luwak. The other, featured in the following video clip, was on a fence along the Ypsi/Arbor corridor of Washtenaw Ave, right across from Whole Foods. I think it’s cool, but, personally, I’m more partial to the sewn vandalism of the Ypsi Tooth… Speaking of the Tooth, does anyone know what happened to her?
[If you know of other local instances of yarn bombing, please leave a comment with coordinates.]
15 Comments
Before anyone says it, I know that the footage isn’t great. I had no time to plan. I was stopped in traffic when I saw it, and I decided to pull out my flip camera. Toward the end, though, there’s a closeup, which is OK.
You shouldn’t have posted this. Now the guys from Gallery 555 will surely come to town and tear it out. Or maybe they only do that when the pieces appraise for $50,000 or more.
I believe there are still two pieces of my knit graffiti left in graffiti alley. Everytime i come to Ann Arbor I have left some artwork or knitwork in the alley.
http://jafagirls.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/the-fate-of-yarnbombed-dolls-in-graffiti-alley-ann-arbor/
Jealous of your flip camera. Just ate at Cafe Luwak yesterday, guess I missed it.
Best not yarn tag my turf, or there will be wicked hell to pay. My grannies is strapped, and we protect ours. Peace.
I love this image I have in my head of rival granny gangs fighting with knitting needles over turf in Ann Arbor.
And, I like that the line between granny and hipster is eroding.
I guess that everyone missed World Wide Knitting in Public Week – June 12 thru June 19. Some knitters covered the rock at Washtenaw & Hill in knitted pieces. We hope to make it an annual event.
ps. forgot to mention I liked the video. I think the knit graff has improved the plain fence :)
Kids today are useless.
Next they’ll be putting doilies on things.
We need a generation that smashes windows.
My son lives in Ann Arbor now and says he saw some knit graff on two trees near the farmers market (near Kerrytown right?).
Seems your town has some stealth knitters ;)
These people should be hunted down and lashed Singapore style. Democracy cannot withstand such acts of terrorism.
Mark – thank you for noticing our recent yarn bomb. There is more at the Farmers Market. Agreed that it is a bit sweet and pretty, but this is just the beginning – more attacks are planned that are in the realm of social/political commentary. Sometimes we just need things to make us smile. Your daughter is adorable. Buy Art
Kim – your comment made me think of Monty Python’s “Hell’s Grannies”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygy7UDADXDg
ahh you summer knitters.
one question;
would you want to be forced to wear a sweater in 90 + degree heat for days/weeks on end?
i think not.
then why would another living want to?
LEAVE TREES ALONE.
they are beautiful enough already.
stick to inanimate objects.
every time i see a tree with a sweater on will be saved immediately.
nature needs no “tagging”. Recognize and respect.
Incredible yarn bombing on Wall Street.
http://www.instructables.com/community/Epic-Yarn-Bombing/
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