Yarn Bomb Brings Explosion Of Color To Franklin Park

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The rough, grey bark of the trees that inhabit Franklin Park are now colorful, whimsical masterpieces thanks to a "Yarn Bomb" over the weekend. Yarn Bombing is a traditionally "guerrilla art form," according to resident and Public Art Consultant Lesley Elwood, who organized the city-approved installation. It consists of crocheting, knitting, or using macramé techniques to create art pieces made of yarn, which are then installed in nature.

Elwood was inspired to start the Yarn Bomb project because she wanted people to enjoy Franklin Park—a small park in a predominantly residential area—in a new and different way.

"I live by the park and I work in public art, so I thought it'd be nice to do something in my own community," she said.

One of the "really odd" aspects of Yarn Bombing as an art form, Elwood said, is that the installation of the artwork is a response to the condition of the tree the artist chooses.

Artist Cheryl Faris, (pictured above) installed a piece on a tall, thin tree in the park, mixing white yarn with intermittent bursts of color. Another friend, Elwood said, brought a large round blanket that she had, and installed it by hanging it off of the limb of a large tree.

"It's so beautiful to see people install their art by responding to nature," she said.

Something unique about the Yarn Bomb project is that it's not something everyone notices right away, Elwood said. At the park, the trees and landscape are the prominent visual element, so the Yarn Bomb installations are an "unexpected surprise."

The feedback from the community has been positive, and Elwood is hoping to host a few Yarn Bomb workshops during the installation's duration which runs through September 10.

For any community members that would like to get involved with the Yarn Bomb project, they can contact Lesley Elwood at (310) 836-6512, or via e-mail at art4redondo@gmail.com.

Images provided by Lesley Elwood