Monday, June 13, 2011

International Yarnbombing Day -- a community event





International Yarnbombing Day – June 11, 2011

[from Wikipedia] "Yarn bombing, guerrilla knitting, or graffiti knitting is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted cloth rather than paint or chalk. While yarn installations may last for years, they are considered non-permanent, and, unlike graffiti, can be easily removed if necessary. Nonetheless, the practice is still technically illegal, though it is not often prosecuted vigorously.

"While other forms of graffiti may be expressive, decorative, territorial, socio-political commentary, advertising or vandalism, yarn bombing was initially almost exclusively about reclaiming and personalizing sterile or cold public places. It has since developed with groups graffiti knitting worldwide each with their own agendas."

The local effort in Yellow Springs was coordinated by Jafagirls ("Just Another Flippin' Artist") Corrine Bayraktaroglu and Nancy Mellon and attracted men, women and kids. Although the holiday is technically June 11, Yellow Springers had to celebrate one day early due to the biannual Street Fair scheduled for the same day.

photos and video by Susan Gartner