To think that postbox toppers are an aberration and those who produce them should be shot at dawn (I should say 'light hearted' here but it goes against the grain)

[IrateAndUnhinged]

That really.

Postbox toppers. Those crocheted monstrosities decorating every postbox within a 500 metres of GAILS bakery.

Why?

My AIBU is am I unreasonable for thinking they add no value to life and represent a huge drain on resources that could be better put to work creating reusable string bags.

Here's another one for now 😁

What the hell is the point of that? A lovely, peaceful and natural scene ruined by some lurid plastic tat. No one should be imposing their shite craft efforts on the rest of us.

that is pretty much appricated

considering the plainness of the bench and slabs, i think the knitted item looks quite nice

Last one!

that is a lovley and creative display

I have to say, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm just amazed how nobody sees them do it!

Isn't all this non postbox stuff called yarn bombing and also a powerful feminist act?

I don't agree with it for the same reasons but when something is a powerful feminist act you've got to step back and think.

Completely agree. It’s a brick wall, some concrete, a plastic bench pretending to be wood and lots of weeds. Anyone would think it was a forest glade with a tinkling stream. The knitting’s an improvement.

That looks like someone's back garden. Is it really a public park?

I like the post box toppers. I think they are jolly and break up the mundane.

Also, people seem to like making them so no harm done in my opinion.

It's certainly a public space. Here's a better angle.

I imagine the graffiti you can just see on the side of the postbox is much uglier.

Pocket park

Women’s art and crafts have never been taken as seriously as their male equivalents. I know the thread is light hearted, but your dismissal of their work as silliness and whimsy, is historically how a lot of female artists were received.
I love that women are getting their work out there and spreading joy (to some) in the community. Long live then postbox toppers.

I had the same thought when I dug the photo out of my archive. The phone box behind is in a dreadful state, strange in an otherwise well-kept town centre.

I have only taken pictures to share with others as I think they are a lovely idea, despite the rain issue. At the end of the day it's something done out of love, not malice.

@Hawkins0009

Purley town centre has seen more action since yesterday!

There's posters and bunting up as well which makes me think it's a council thing maybe. I didn't look for any post boxes. I think I prefer naked trees 😅

i love the purple, and not seen the tree design before, very impressive thank you

Purpley town centre now 😁

I am so ashamed, but I love them

@Superlegs you raise a really interesting point. A big part of my complaint was really the assumption that it is OK to invade public space with art that I haven't chosen to engage with. Associated with it is assumption that I should like it just because it represents a lot of work by dedicated crafters.

I get that women's art (or rather art that women create) has flown under the radar for pretty much forever. I still question why I should be expected to consume and 'enjoy' it in a very public place. It's not to my taste and just because it is primarily a female pursuit doesn't add any value or even justify its presence to me.

That said over the course of a weekend I have learned a lot about the whole history of yarn bombing and associated crafts and my life has genuinely been enhanced by that.

@IrateAndUnhinged The whole world was built and designed by men, is it not great that women are now adding their own finishing touches and reclaiming some of those public spaces ?

Well yes and no @Superlegs
Yes because upsetting the patriarchy is a good thing obviously.

No because if postbox toppers are the poster girl for the sisterhoods 'finishing touches' to the world then it makes me not want to be a sister.
Can't we provide some other, less generally mawkish, finishing touch?

Am now tying myself on knots wondering how I'd feel about a "fuck off" post box topper vs whimsical graffiti and how much talent is needed to overcome the lack of democratic oversight.

“The assumption that it is OK to invade public space with art that I haven't chosen to engage with.” But all public art - statues, murals, even floral displays - invade public space. You can’t expect all of it to be something you want to engage with.