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

They came, they saw, they chewed

On Sunday, June 5, the World's First Traveling Gum Wall made its public debut at the Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery, 309 Xenia Avenue. The Traveling Gum Wall, an interactive public art project, was created by Jafagirls ("Just Another Flippin' Artist") Corrine Bayraktaroglu and Nancy Mellon as a fundraiser for YSAC. Packets of gum are on sale to participants who then chew the gum and stick it on the wall. All participants get to sign the back of the Gum Wall for a permanent record of their contribution to art. A free Jafagirl postcard goes to anyone who donates packets of gum. (Please no sugar-free gum or gum advertised as not sticky.)

The next scheduled appearance of the Gum Wall will be Street Fair, Saturday, June 11. The wall will be located in front of the YSAC Gallery at 309 Xenia Avenue. In the revered tradition of sticking your gum somewhere, Jafagirls invite you to Stick It For Art.

For more info, contact jafagirlart@yahoo.com

photos by Susan Gartner -- June 5, 2011