Yarn bombing Discussion Continues

This whole idea of yarn bombing continues to create a buzz in the yarn world as well as outside it. There are those who believe it is a relatively harm free way to beautify public spaces. If you'd like to read what one fan has to say check out what Streetcolor wrote to the American Association of Museums Centre for the Future of Museums. Streetcolor argues yarn bombing is a form of art more accessible and/or more familiar to the general public, that this type of art can be created by lesser trained artists thus allowing for more to participant in making art and if more museums allow groups to use their space not only inside but outside to display their work, the better.

Then there are those who are not supportive of this idea. See this discussion about a Streetcolor yarn bomb installation on the bike racks of a newly remodelled Berkeley Library. I find the comments after the article quite revealing about the resistance to yarn bombing. The main concern is what happens after the yarn has been in the weather for some time when it starts looking ratty.

To me the most cogent point revolves around the deinstallation: who should be responsible for removing the work. It can be argued defacing any public space in most of North America is illegal and as such shouldn't really take place at all. It is also true, as any knitter knows, these wool creations when exposed to the element, or not, do have a shelf-life. Should the yarn bomber be able to walk away and not take responsibility when the project needs to come down? There is a reasonable argument to be made that says no, if you put it up you take it down, (even though most other graffiti artists aren't expect to clean up after themselves).

There's also and will always to be an argument of practicality. If someone has the skill to create a yarn bomb they more than likely also have skills to make a sweater, scarf, blanket or anything else that can be used by someone who really needs it. Some would argue yarn bombing is not how that skill should be used. I don't obviously agree with this argument, but I do appreciate the sentiment. (Heck I've had the same thing said to me about knitting food!)

The yarn bombing discussion will continue to bump along and I will likely continue to evaluate my willingness to remain disengaged. Needless to say yarn bombing goes on. Got to love the Olympics London 2012 inspired work done on this pier. (June 9 and International Yarn Bombing day!)

Saltburn-by-the-Sea pier in northeast England

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