Yarn Bombing

Have you ever heard of the term yarn bombing? It's similar to graffiti but instead of using spray paint, yarn is the chosen medium for self expression in a public place.

I don't see it very often, only on two occasions:

Once in Manhattan's Meatpacking District -- these security posts look like candy!

And another time, just this summer, at Absolut's Open Canvas Initiative in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These are the handiwork of crochet artist Olek. 

"Forgotten Barrier" with the message, "All You Need is Love and Money".

 The "Olek Bike"

Notice that even the bike rack is crocheted!

This one is named "Auto Install"

The entire van is covered in yarn! I wonder how long it took her to do this?

"I always seek to bring color and life, energy, and surprise to the living space, " Olek says. She chooses to use crochet "as a metaphor for the complexity and interconnectedness of our body and our psychological processes. Cut one string and you lose it all."

Seeing these made me happy, but also gave me the sense of being temporary. Appreciate it while it's there and have a sense of humor while viewing it. I hope to come across more of these in the future. In the meantime, you might enjoy these photos of yarn bombing from different parts of the world.