Olek Warms Little Italy With Giant Multi-colored Freedom

January 9, 2014 Artists

The previous NYC record for frigid cold on January 7th was 6 degrees (F).

Tuesday broke that record at 4 degrees.

Olek decided we needed a blanket.

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

With the help of Shir Lieberman, London O’Donnell, and Whitney Spivey, the crochet Street Artist installed a 60 foot long multicolored comforter to warm a parking lot fence in coordination with Wayne Rada and RJ Rushmore of the Little Italy Street Art Project. The LISA Project, as it is more commonly referred to, is a private initiative that has brought a variety of street and graffiti artists to this tourist neighborhood in the last two years.

Olek never does a project half way, and the size and scope of her psychedelic camouflage skin street projects continue to barely keep pace with her imagination. The sentiment of the slogan appears to augment the work ethic and of course, and it is perfectly timely as the concept and practice of freedom is debated daily in the public and digital spheres.

Having part freedom is like being part pregnant. More germanely perhaps, we think of those “free speech” zones set up outside of political conventions that are basically just cages to contain people and prevent them from moving about freely to protest. They are part free speech/ part totalitarianism. Is there such a thing?

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek is surprised to see you. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Photographer Martha Cooper braved the very low temps for the occasion. Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Climbing fences sort of comes with the job. Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

“…the path of progress, the struggle for equality for all, is a life-long endeavor, achieved through persistence and faith, never wavering. Each individual must participate in this progress through any way available, including public displays of solidarity, creations of art, reliance on the legal system and vocalizations of opinion. Equality for all in some parts of the world is not total equality; it must be worldwide.” -Olek

Olek begins the process of fully encasing a willing participant in crochet for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

You shoot me, I’ll shoot you. Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

To learn more about the L.I.S.A. Project NYC click HERE.

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