Hi, not sure if this is the right place but here goes. I was just reading Becky Kuck's newsletter ( www.thegoldenthimble.com ) and she had a link to this - very cool!!
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/abandone...tation_in_dewit.html

some people have so much imagination!!!

Gerda

Hmmmm..... I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, it makes a statement, although I think a universal translator from the Starship Enterprise might be needed. It is bright and colorful and certainly is a conversation piece and a pleasant surprise to those driving by.

On the other hand, after reading the responses in the comment section, I am inclined to think the time, talent, and treasure could have been put to better use. And at some point, someone will have to clean up the rotting quilts and afghans that could have been used to comfort the homeless.

The other issue I have is that the artist did not create this of her own hand, but rather on the labor of others. I feel about this the same as I do of Bill Cosby's EdD.

The work he did to use television as an educational tool for children was groundbreaking, but he could not have done it without tremendous effort by writers, directors, stagehands, and a network that was supportive. Yet he gets all the credit. Doesn't seem fair, somehow.

Meg, I have to agree with you! I hadn't realized, when I posted the link, that there were comments posted underneath. I would not likely have posted it had I read them first - they made me think!

As for Bill Cosby, you're right there, too, but it happens more often than that. Think of all the shows, books, etc that one person dreams up and others build on them. I agree credit should be spread around.

As for this gal, maybe by the end of the semester, she'll be taking them down and distributing them. The article was from yesterday's paper, and there was to be a followup article, I think today. Will have to check on that. I hope she takes the comments to heart.

Gerda

She would have been better off painting designs on the building.

I think distributing them would be a much better way to distribute art. I agree with you and hopes she does just that.

I kinda like it myself. I am always wondering what to do with my worn out afghans. I always feel guilty about just throwing them away after somebody took the time to make it for me. But I certainly used them or they wouldn't be worn out! I have settled with letting the outdoor cats sleep on them in the winter time.

Jennell-

The artist is trying to make something good out of a bad situation; I give her kudos for that and for her inventiveness. If they are old and worn afghans that is one thing, but my impression is that these were new items. Did I mis-read the article? I just think it is wrong to deliberately trash someone else's hard work.

Yes, I, too, have some old (store-bought) comforters that have been recycled into animal beds.

Here is another link with a lot more info on the cause here. I loved looking at the submissions.

http://www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/