gas station cosy, or, the protest blanket

[DesertCrocheter]

Anyone see the article that was in my Sunday paper (and also online in various newspapers) about a woman in Dewitt, NY, who was fed up with gas prices and decided to cover an abandoned gas station with a giant handmade blanket? She and others crocheted, knitted, and quilted more than 3000 blankets together to make a blanket more than 5000 sq ft. Here's a link to the newspaper section; the photo is at the top, but scroll down for the story.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/239587.php

[happy stitcher]

I really don't get how that helps to draw attention to our nation's dependency on oil, the way the article states, but I'm sure it draws attention to the abandoned gas station!

[Cliffnote]

I didnt here of it until I seen this, I also dont understand how covering a abandoned gas stration with a huge balnket draws attention to our oil situation.To me it makes no sense.

 

Kim

[Addey]

Uhmmm.... it looks kinda cool.... but like the others have said how exactly is this supposed to "help" with oil/gas prices??

I see it more as a statement about abandoned properties than gas...

[craziebunny]

I read where some of them had messages on them, I think it is a beautiful way to cover an eye sore!

[ScoobyDoo0811]

HMMMMMMMMM...... I am like the rest of you, how is this supposed to help the price of gasoline. The only thing I see is it is drawing attention to an old abandoned gas station not the rising costs of oil/gas.

:thinkI sure would have liked to had all that yarn they used because I can think of a lot more ways to put that yarn to good use.......such as for our charities that we all crochet for right here on the Ville, instead of letting it get ruined:( in the weather just to cover up an old gas station.

[yarntotingmama]

:thinkI sure would have liked to had all that yarn they used because I can think of a lot more ways to put that yarn to good use.......such as for our charities that we all crochet for right here on the Ville, instead of letting it get ruined:( in the weather just to cover up an old gas station.

 

I would have to agree - the yarn could have in some way helped people with more pressing needs than being saved from an eye-sore.

[alchemyfyr]

I'm with the last two.... there are plenty of people out there who could use the blankets. The protestors would have actually made a difference by donating the blankets.... what they did isn't going to change anything.

[crazycrochet]

I guess I am with the majority of the posters. I don't see what covering an abandoned gas station does to help lower the gas prices. What I got from the article was that she didn't like to look at the place and covered it up. What a waste of some beautiful blankets. Hey I don't like to look at my neighbors yard, maybe I should cover it up.

[CyM]

That's kind of weird... reminds me of the knit graffiti - both are a waste of good yarn, like the others have said. At least the gas station will be warm now.

[sunflowermom1972]

I agree with many.. this didnt do anything but get this person in the news.

[Empress Busy Bee]

Add me to the list of 'this really didn't do anything but waste material'.

Also I think it just made it more ugly.

[Miss Crochet]

S/he could have e.g. protested at the nation's poor healthcare system by crocheting a thousand blankets for hospitals, old folks' homes and orphanages. THAT might have served a more meaningful purpose.

[2kute]

HMMMMMMMMM...... I am like the rest of you, how is this supposed to help the price of gasoline. The only thing I see is it is drawing attention to an old abandoned gas station not the rising costs of oil/gas.

 

:thinkI sure would have liked to had all that yarn they used because I can think of a lot more ways to put that yarn to good use.......such as for our charities that we all crochet for right here on the Ville, instead of letting it get ruined:( in the weather just to cover up an old gas station.

 

 

my thoughts exactly

[RoseRed]

Has anyone else thought of the fact that acrylic yarn is plastic which makes it a petroleum product?!?

[Empress Busy Bee]

Has anyone else thought of the fact that acrylic yarn is plastic which makes it a petroleum product?!?

I did. Crazy huh?

[Yelutci]

I feel for 2,500 school children, and their teachers, who contributed their time & effort (and our education dollars at work!)-like others said; there are many worthy causes that could have better used blankets.

[Kimblee]

I think this is a major waste.

 

Makes me feel kinda sick, actually.

[yarntotingmama]

This link seems to explain the intended purpose of the project better:

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/05/17/1494880-artist-covers-old-gas-station-with-huge-blanket

 

Apparently the goal was to have people "stop and think about it (oil) ... and be inspired to make up their own opinions about the situation and how it has affected their community".

 

I still am persuaded that there are far more profitable things to involve the community in, and spend all that money and yarn on, than creating such a thing.

[tahlara]

On the link that Alicia provided, I click on the arrows to view more photos on the article. All I can see is the narcissitic artist posed in front of the gas station. I would appreciate more of close ups of blankets. I mean those people pour their time, effort and love in those blankets. They believe in something as a community. In the end, all I see is the artist, not others' work.

 

Ok, end of the soapbox rant. Now, I wonder where all the blankets go after they put them down in mid-july. I wish the article would mention something about it such as donate them to some charities or hospitals after deep washes of blankets. That will make me feel better about USA trying to go "Green".

[Empress Busy Bee]

Here's a link to her site with more photos and details:

 

http://internationalfibercollaborative.com/

[darski]

I really don't get the idea of the "cozy" as we use cozies for stuff that is in use all the time.

 

Ah well. to each his own.

[tahlara]

Empress, thank you for sharing the link. I am tempted to write an email to the artist and ask what she will do with the balnkets afterward.

[Amy]

when i looked at this link it has her email addy - wonder if we should send her a link to this site (especially this thread) so she can "get a clue"!! LOL

 

Please, everyone, let's not do this. Why would we want to call this person's attention to a discussion by a group of people who don't understand her purpose? Of what possible benefit would that be to her? I certainly don't want an argument to take place here.

[Empress Busy Bee]

I agree with Amy. I'm not about to email someone I don't know just to tell them I don't like their art. I have better things to do.