I want to say one word to you. Just one word.... Plastics.”
--
Mr. McGuire, The Graduate


Monday, June 27, 2011

Photo Gallery

Today is my birthday (and I have a late meeting anyway!) so this blog was composed last week and scheduled to post today. How clever! When Dan came with me to Governors Island during Punk Island, he took some great photos that I haven't gotten a chance to show yet. This was a great opportunity to post some of them, and a special video, where I chant a little knitting mantra with some children. Enjoy!





Friday, June 24, 2011

On the schedule this weekend for Governors Island:

Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra
Jazz Age Dance Party, 11 AM – 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday June 25-26

Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 on Governors Island.
For more information, visit www.dreamlandorchestra.com

And of course, Knit for Trees!
You can see some of the latest photos on my website:
www.IsabelleGarbani.com

Monday, June 20, 2011

Punk Island knits!

MOSH!


KNIT!


MOSH!!!


KNIT!!!!!


Punk Island was this past weekend on Governors Island and we had a blast! Dan came out to help me, so we both had the opportunity to knit, and to go watch some of the bands. As you can see from the photo above, it is best to knit with protective gear during punk weekend!

Governors Island hosts Punk Island every summer, and the best part of the place is that loud bands and picnic-goers can co-exist very peacefully in the park. Where else can you see a punk band perform in front of a beautiful Di Suvero sculpture?! The weather was gorgeous, and we had a lot of people stop by to knit, pay us compliments or just relax in the shade. 



We are well on our way to have a fifth tree done at the end of June, thanks to all the knitters out there! Thank you Noelle for making a lovely crochet flower that I will attach to the first tree when the new panels go up. And thank you Dan for being fantastic support staff over the weekend! 

Here's the man hard at work:


Friday, June 17, 2011

Punk Island this weekend!

My favorite weekend on Governors Island: Punk Island!
Bands play from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday June 19.

All the bands and info are listed on: makemusicny.org/schedule/feature/punk-island/

And of course, in between moshing, come and knit with me in Figment's Sculpture Garden (ask for the mini-golf on Liggett Terrace). I am there Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5, and Dan is making a special knitting appearance on Sunday... you don't want to miss it!

Monday, June 13, 2011

I'm going to be on Japanese TV!


Figment had their big art festival June 10-12, and though the weather did not cooperate on Saturday (drizzly and cloudy all day), the crowds came out to participate in this unique cultural event. I want to thank Sarah for volunteering to stay with me all day Saturday in the cold and rain: she was a real trooper giving knitting lessons while her lips slowly turned blue... and of course, a big thank to Heather for helping me Sunday.

Knit for Trees was in great shape this weekend, as I had gone to Governors Island during the week to wrap a fourth tree, and put in all the panels that folks have knitted the last two weekends on the island, as well as many other pieces that were generously donated by knitter helpers. The large tree now has two of its branches started and looks dashing!


On Saturday, a Japanese public TV station interviewed me, and videotaped folks knitting and the installation. The show will air at the end of June but unfortunately will not be web-cast. I was also interviewed by El Mundo, and I am waiting to find out when the article comes out. A lot of press, a lot of compliments, new friends and old friends coming by to look at the work, are making me feel very good about this project so far. I can't wait to see how many trees we can cover before Labor Day weekend, and who knows? May be Knit for Trees Tokyo is next!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

FIGMENT NYC 2011 this weekend!

FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It’s a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible. For one weekend each summer, it transforms Governors Island into a large-scale collaborative artwork – and then it’s gone.

More information on Figment's website: newyork.figmentproject.org/figment-nyc-2011/

Here are some of the sculptures on Liggett Terrace on view the entire summer:



Monday, June 6, 2011

You must be This Tall to ride this ferry!

This weekend drew an interesting crowd to Governors Island. On Sunday, the champagne Veuve Clicquot sponsored a polo match. At the 11 am ferry, throngs of well dressed men and women lined up to board the ferry: women in beautiful sundresses, high heels and elaborate hats were making me feel slightly under dressed, and definitely short!


My discomfort was alleviated by an adoring fan on the island, who gave me chocolate chip cookies and bought me a cup of coffee: yes, I am that easy! Rose and her husband Rich stopped by with their children. Rich, who first didn't want to learn how to knit, finally sat for a tutorial, and ended up spending a couple of hours knitting with me and Rose. As you can see, he's a very happy customer!


Although Saturday had been really busy and saw a steady stream of people stopping by, Sunday was a little slower, which gave me the opportunity to do more work and finally attach some of the panels that friends have given me the last few weeks:

Photo courtesy of Bruce Monroe

New panels from Bernette, Liz, Megan and Willie have made it possible to reach the first branch of the largest tree.

As I write this, the post office just delivered the latest shipment from my mother and sister, who have been so instrumental in making this project a success. I will hang the panels this week, and hope to give them their own tree!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Mark di Suvero on Governors Island

The exhibition is the largest outdoor presentation of Mark di Suvero's sculptures to be shown in New York City since the 1970s and includes loans from public and private collections, including a number of sculptures from Storm King Art Center's own celebrated installation of the artist's work in Orange County, New York. The exhibition is free and located throughout the island's public spaces. Presented by the Storm King Art Center.


Mark di Suvero's exhibit will be up on Governors Island for the entire summer of 2011.

While you are there looking at these amazing sculptures, come look at Figment's sculpture garden at Liggett Terrace, and see works like these:


And of course, come visit us at Knit for Trees: