Thursday, May 5, 2011

Crochet Coral Reef

crochet coral reef

I have been meaning to show you one of my favorite things we saw on our spring break to DC last month. In the Museum of Natural History, in the back of the oceans hall, they have this crocheted coral reef. This picture just shows the front; it extended back through that open space.

coral reef

Over 800 people contributed their work to make this massive, woolly, marine extravaganza. I have never seen any kind of craft--and few pieces of public art--draw people in like the crochet coral reef did. I spent a long time going over it. You could study it from every angle and still not see everything. Walking around it made me feel like a kid. I felt joy.

purple reef

red reef

crochet critter
Some little dainties like this were in their own display.

orange critters


reef critters


reef tubes

white reef
In this white section, some of the pieces incorporate plastic trash, like bags and other junk that winds up in the ocean. As much as I love the colored sections, the whites might be my favorite. All of the delicate creams and ecrus. I am so glad we got to see it.

I don't know how much longer this will be in the Smithsonian, but it is worth a look if you are in the neighborhood. When you come in the back door of the museum, you are practically right by it. Then you can walk through the ocean hall, under the whale, then admire the big stuffed elephant, elbow through the Harry Winston Gallery, then go and get an espresso while your husband enjoys the giant sloths. That will be a very nice afternoon for you.

Crocheted Coral Reef, also here and here.

14 comments:

Gen said...

Wow. That is amazing.

Elizabeth said...

I feel joy just looking at the photos. Thank you for passing along the joy -- it's fantastic!

Aimee said...

So cool! I've been hearing about it for ages, but only on crochet/knit forums, so it's neat to hear about it from the museum visitor's point of view. Your photos are great; it's absolutely gorgeous.

Michele said...

That is a significant amount of time, effort, and talent. Why did I miss it? Will heading back to the Baltimore area in August so I'll plan to pop in then.

KathyS said...

Whoa. That is one honkin' edifice of crochet! And I suspect I'll never type that sentence again ...

Cassie said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Are you on Pinterest? Cause you should totally Pin this.

nova said...

That is so cool!

Elle said...

This is one of those things that is all abt presentation. The Mr came to me, talking about fractal hyperboles and This is proof that every time you re-craft someone else's knitting pattern it proves yr wizardry in three-dimensional higher-math! Vectors! yayayaya and I mimed falling asleep so then he went to Air & Space with our son and I took the baby to the Nat'l Gallery. But you make it seem kind of cool. Idk. x!

Star said...

Knit urban art in Milan, Italy, in 2009: http://mymilanitaly.blogspot.com/2011/05/knitted-brows-and-urban-art.html. Thanks for your post. It made me remember my own snap. Hope you all enjoy it, too.

Veronica said...

That's so pretty! I'm bummed I missed it when I was in DC!

Keely said...

omg, I LOVE that. What an amazing project.

Amy said...

Am I the only one that wants to roll around in all that yarn? It looks so cushy!!

Reading Rosie said...

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing this! So cool.