Guerilla Knitting in NYC

Names of Participating Guerilla Knitters

Guerilla Art and Guerilla Knitting is not such a new concept but when you get to see it in action, its always refreshing and innovative.

While my hub and I were visiting the city this summer, we ran into this corner on 1st avenue on 9th St. more than once (a very cool urban art/toy and graphics store called Giant Robot resides on that street).

green flower

Guerilla knitting is a great way to add color and warmth to the cold, and often hard face of the city. In this project, which was sponsored by the PS 122 Gallery last Spring, the work spawned from, and in conjunction with, a larger effort entitled Yarn Theory.

Covered iron bars

As you can see, the project certainly does add color and warmth, but I also think it creatively adds to the interdependent nature of the chaos and distraction of the city, especially into a space that is already a stimulating environment. That sounds negative, but I see it as a positive contribution to the meaning and symbolism evoked by the architectural features we walk by daily in the city.

iron fence on an angle

The PS 122 Gallery presented an exhibit this past Spring from April 25th to May 17th called Yarn Theory in hopes to spur on the realization that there is a deep relationship between science, math and knitting and crocheting:

Highlighting the work of some of today’s most interesting practitioners, Yarn Theory juxtaposes installations and art objects made with a scientific or mathematical basis as a starting point, and with mathematical models and items made explicitly to explain or clarify abstract concepts, which end up being compelling aesthetic forms unto themselves. Because of their incremental structure, the crafted shapes often mimic growth systems found in nature. Today’s needle workers, many of who are also scientists and mathematicians professionally, are exploring such correlations.

whole web

My personal favorite out of the Guerilla knitting on the corner of 9th St. is this grey web. It is brilliant in the way that it complements the color, complexity and interconnectedness of the city. The relationship between the yarn and the iron fence becomes truly symbiotic and relevant.

The way the web travels up between the iron bars is nothing short of artistic brilliance in my humble opinion.

detail of web

Gregg Emerys Azucarera Exhibit was a Blast

Gregg in the packed Gallery

The opening was a great success. Since Gregg Emery is a Dean and instructor at the Dwight-Englewood School, there were many former and current students as well as faculty support.

The postcard circle

A circle was made using the announcement cards by family who attended the opening reception, Devin and Alexandra.

Substratum painting by gregg emery - Sold

This particular painting was worked over several times during the past year. The crackling paint effect was achieved while working in a below freezing studio space.

Gregg and Former student Jerry Igdalev with his girlfriend Nadia

It was great seeing such an amazing turnout in this new alternative exhibit space. The work looked beautiful, the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and a good time seemed to be had by all.

NYC Weekend Edition- Artist Gregg Emery at Azucarera Gallery

This Friday night, August 21st, at 7pm Artist Gregg Emery (a.k.a. my husband) will be exhibiting a show entitled The Drawn Line -On Reading The Human Soul. The Azucarera gallery is located at 414 W. 145th St. (basement) between Convent Ave. and St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem - if you're around stop by!!!

Cynosure by Gregg Emery

Some of you may remember when I wrote a blog post on Gregg and his work and I urge any of you curious about him and his process to check out that old post here! As a special treat the exhibit will also have a wall dedicated to his phenomenal gestural figure drawings from his numerous sketchbooks.

figure drawing by artist Gregg Emery

And for an EXTRA special treat for those who follow my work - Gregg and I collaborated on a piece entitled Fleeting Seedling and you can see that complete painting only at the exhibit - but here is a detail shot of my work. Come to the opening to see the whole thing!!!

detail of Fleeting Seedling Collaborative Painting by marisol diaz and Gregg Emery

Treat Yourself to a Subscription of Color!

The full spectrum of colored pencils by Felissimo

So during my blogging escapades I discovered the kind of mail subscription I would have LOVED, and I mean LOVED, to have had as a young budding artist - heck if the times weren't so financially tight I would LOVE to have it now!!!

just one sample of the cleverly named pencils- Mermaid's Gown

Think back to a time when (instead of a new encyclopedia every month) your parents ordered wonderful little packages of animal flashcards that you could build a zoological collection of and catalog in that great little complimentary index case. Well this subscription is just as good if not better! 500 pencils and not just any pencils, color pencils!!

Japanese design house, Felissimo has created a new social experiment by developing this subscription plan in which 33 dollars a month will buy you a Japan-mailed-package of different assortments of 25 like-minded colored pencils, for 20 months until you have 500 varigated colors. The different colors have names like Tragedy, Tea with Milk, Maple Sugar and Drizzly Afternoon. Geez I want these!

One of the ways to display your pencils as they arrive

In addition to being able to order your pencils you can order high-design displays that rival some of the great stuff you see in the Moma (Museum of Modern Art) gift shop, like this wall display on the left appropriately named Orchestra. Felissimo's Social Design Network states,

Social designer curates and creates smart products that tune into the greater good. You can join the cause by submitting designs for our competitions, weighing in with your opinion, purchasing goods or just simply talking about them. After all, every good idea (and every good cause)... starts with a conversation.

The Color Wave Display Option ($104)

So if you do happen to indulge or splurge on this beautiful monthly treat let me know! I would love to see pics of your open packages as they arrive - they're sure to be works of art in themselves!