Ask a Hills & Heighter
Fifth entry in my simple mission to find out more about my neighbors and neighborhood. I plan to ask the same questions to artists, craftspeople, musicians and local business owners. This week we ask questions of The Knitorious M.E.G. who engages in acts of random beauty through Yarn Bombing. In the simplest of terms, bombing is wrapping an object in colorful yarn. There have been four bombs on the Southbank. DLM Ave which later become the Newspaper Pole on Forest Hill Avenue, which can be seen on YouTube. The first was on Forest Hill Ave. and went up in 2009, the others were Lake Gate (FH Park) and Sunshine Hut (Cowardin and Semmes). I’ve never met The Knitorous M.E.G but I’m very happy she agreed to answer a few questions for us.
The identity of Knitorious shall remain a mystery
I grew up in Hampton Roads, then lived in Richmond several years and attended VCU, moved to NYC for 5 years, and returned to Richmond 3 years ago. Since I was already familiar with RVA when we moved back, I knew that I wanted to live in Southside for several reasons - especially to be close to the river.
How would you describe your art?
Using yarn for good.
What other ventures/projects do you have going on?
Things I can’t talk about in order to maintain my anonymity, of course!
Lake Gate 2010
Forest Hill Park and the James River as well as the ease of getting to Downtown, Carytown or The Fan.
What would you change about Southbank?
As someone who used to live in NYC, I wish there were more places to walk to for good food.
Advice to someone moving into the Southbank?
Get down to the river as often as you can. And hit the Farmer’s Market early.
5 words to describe your neighborhood.
Neighborly, hodgepodge, doggy, walkable, fab.
Editor’s Note: I broke from tradition and added some bonus questions.
If you could yarn bomb any location (without fear of repercussions) in RVA where would it be?
I like that question! Maybe the Lee Monument, the Main Street Station
clock tower, or the Richmond Dairy Building bottle.
Your favorite RVA yarn bomb?
My favorite bombs tend to change – right now it’s ‘Lover’s Lane’ that I did in The Fan in February. I thought it was a fun piece that people seemed to really enjoy.
Favorite yarn bomb you’ve ever seen? Either photo or in person.
Hard to pick a favorite as there is lots of good work out there…but I did see a knitted gas station online a while back that I am especially partial to. If I only had the time myself for a piece like that!
DLM
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