On a recent visit to the San Francisco area, a friend introduced me to the playful world of “Yarn Bombing.” Also known as “graffiti knitting” and “yarn storming,” this public knit-art trend is popping up all over Berkeley. Working under the dark of night, the city’s knit bombers’ campaign creates unexpected yarn sleeves for public works of art, traffic signs and more, to many Berkeley citizens’ glee.

The stormers themselves remain anonymous, though one pair going by the name StreetColor has been labeling its installations, and has even started its own blog to document work. Another, the international organization called KnittaPlease, may be serving as inspiration for some of the work as well.

Take a look at a handful of yarn bombs below. They’re excellent reminders that the world is full of beautiful surprises; you just have to keep your eyes open and pay attention.

*Image by StreetColor’s “Russian”

*Bottom photograph from StreetColor. All other photos by Anna Carnick.

Documenting the evolution of public art, Gestalten‘s Urban Interventions reveals the newest movement beyond graffiti and street art. An interplay in public spaces combining art, architecture, performance, installation, and activism, and using any and all of the components of urban and rural landscapes, the projects captured here bring art to the masses.

Turning the street into a gallery, traffic signs are manipulated, industrial garbage cans wallpapered, and bold statements – critical commentary, suggestions, provocations, etc. – shared loud and clear on a variety of structures. The results are experiences, opportunities to interact with our environments in new, playful and sometimes curious ways.

Urban Interventions
Personal Projects in Public Spaces
Editors: R. Klanten, M. Hübner
Pages: 256
Format: 24 x 30 cm, full color, hardcover
Price: € 44,00 / CHF 72,90 / $ 69,00 / £ 40,00

Available for order now thru Gestalten.

*Images courtesy of Gestalten.
© Gestalten 2010