Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Knitwear for birds

A little over ten years ago, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art & Design here in Kansas City had an exhibition of Argentinian artist Monica Giron entitled "Trousseau for a Conqueror." She knitted life-size protective clothing for the birds found in Patagonia, the region where she is from. There are many layers to her artistic intent (the merging of cultures after one has conquered the other, protection vs overprotection) but my friends and I could not get past the incredible cuteness of all the knitted bird outfits. The preposterousness of birds in their winter sweaters had us laughing until we snorted.

Pullover for a Carancho
Pullover, socks, and scarf for a Flamingo

Pullover for a Chucao

Thanksgiving starts the countdown to Christmas and every year around this time, I think of that exhibit. Why? Because I think maybe the birds and the turtles and Violet should all have their own Christmas stockings hanging from the mantle. Maybe this will be the year when I finally sit down and start knitting a Christmas sock. And if I did, the first one would be for Eddie. Something pink, fuzzy, glittery, maybe with some maribou trim because Eddie is definitely a girly girl. Stella? What kind of sock goes with combat boots? :-/

4 comments:

Country Girl said...

So funny, especially the bits about Eddie and Stella's personalities.

You should do something with that teapot picture. I can't get enough of that!

Maria said...

I know I know I know. I laughed so hard when I caught her performing that show of hers. I thought the vertical stance in the pitcher/teapot was hilarious because she could really hold that pose. But then, when I caught her act a little later, she had turned herself around and became that bird with the teapot body. It's no wonder that most of my birds can imitate my laugh because I do it all the time when I'm with them. :-)

Mental P Mama said...

I think Eddie needs a stocking with a perch, no make that a net, on it;)

Maria said...

HAHAHA. I laughed out loud with that one, Mental. Okay, I'll get right on it. Maybe something with training wheels too. Ha ha ha.