vitali’s knitted & crocheted paper garments

Italy’s Ivano Vitali is a sculptor, ecologist and performance artist whose work is a nod to a time when manual labor was appreciated and celebrated. He rolls and twists newspaper pages – piecing them together with no glue or water – then knits, crochets and weaves dresses, suits, hats, shawls, abstract objects and tape-estries with the paper yarn that still bears the colors and text of the newsprint pages.

Tube dress, newspaper, cotton thread.  Fabric made on African loom: warp/black cotton, weft/newspaper

Online translation tools give choppy information, but it appears that Vitali’s garments and objects are statements of rebellion and social commentary.  And, if I might add, an exciting use of an alternative fiber that employs traditional craft techniques.

Skirt, top, knitted paper yarn

His website offers hidden treasures.  Don’t miss objects, and paper balls, and of course the list of links to garments he has created over the last several years.