The controversy is going down (heh) at the Art of Knit, Benetton's fall/winter pop-up shop which features a plethora of yarn art created by artist Erik Ravelo. One of the most titillating pieces is one called "Lana Sutra" that depicts a couple mid-sex position amidst the racks of brightly colored sweaters, pants and tees.
It's certainly an arresting artwork, but some parents are mad about what's, uh, popped up in the pop-up store. RackedNY spotted a debate raging on photographer Sam Horine's Instagram account over whether the yarn couple is crossing the line.
"It certainly is a very confronting image, but I believe our children see things just as confronting on music videos," one commenter writes. "Most kids won't even realise what they are seeing when they see this display. And if they do, it's probably time to teach them a little bit about the facts of life."
"I choose to remain vigilant in protecting & preserving my children's innocence," another argued. "They have a right to it and I'm not letting this corrupt society dictate it!"
Benetton, of course, is no stranger to controversy. In 2011, the international retail chain made headlines around the world when it released its "UNHATE" campaign, a series of photo-manipulated ads depicting world leaders kissing. (The campaign later won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.)
Check out the yarn art below... are YOU traumatized?
NSFW (sort of?) PHOTOS:
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Victoria's Secret
As part of the brand's "Far East" collection, the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/victorias-secret-geisha-outfit-photos_n_1909366.html" target="_blank">"Sexy Little Geisha"</a> outfit came complete with a removable obi belt.
Urban Outfitters
Retailer gets in trouble for its "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/urban-outfitters-jewish-star-tshirt_n_1441731.html" target="_hplink">Jewish Star</a>" t-shirt.
Abrecrombie & Fitch
Asian caricature t-shirts <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/ABERCROMBIE-GLITCH-Asian-Americans-rip-2850702.php" target="_hplink">caused outrage in California.</a>
Nike
St. Patrick's Day-themed SB Dunk Low <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/14/nike-black-and-tan_n_1344197.html" target="_hplink">"Black and Tan"</a> sneakers by Nike incite outrage from Irish community.
Urban Outfitters
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/03/eat-less-urban-outfitters_n_598904.html" target="_hplink">"Eat Less"</a> t-shirts aren't well received by, well, most people.
Abrecrombie & Fitch
"Wink Wink" and "Eye Candy" thongs for 10-year olds isn't a hit with all parents.
Urban Outfitters
"New Mexico, Cleaner than Regular Mexico" t-shirts didn't go over well.
(AP photo)
Urban Outfitters
Some Irish groups aren't pleased with this "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/urban-outfitters-st-patricks-day-clothes-_n_1313242.html" target="_hplink">Irish Yoga</a>" trucker hat.
"Color for the hair down there" is not received well.
Taco Cid, South Carolina
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/how-to-catch-an-illegal-immigrant-taco-cid_n_2439294.html">"How to catch an illegal immigrant" shirt</a>
Jeremy Scott designed these "handcuffs" sneakers for Adidas. However, after many complained that the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/18/adidas-shackle-sneakers-controversy_n_1605661.html" target="_hplink">cuffs looked more like shackles</a>, Adidas canceled its plans to sell the shoes.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters thought it was a good idea to sell this shirt to its young demographic (with a lot of them being younger than 21).
Clean and Dry Intimate Wash
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/12/vagina-bleaching-ad_n_1420825.html" target="_hplink">Skin-lightening wash</a> targets consumers with dark colored privates.
Some NSFW yarn art at a Benetton pop-up store in the Soho neighborhood of New York is getting tangled up (see what we did there?) in controversy.
The controversy is going down (heh) at the Art of ...
Some NSFW yarn art at a Benetton pop-up store in the Soho neighborhood of New York is getting tangled up (see what we did there?) in controversy.
The controversy is going down (heh) at the Art of ...
* Incoming Benetton head launches jobless ad campaign * Clothing company famous for controversial marketing * Chairman says we must listen to today's young *...
It may not have done much for international diplomacy, but Benetton's "Unhate" campaign, which featured images of world leaders in passionate lip-locks with some of...
Meh. I would be more drawn into the store by the way they've arranged everything by color. The figures aren't naked, they're yarn. My son is seven. If he asked about it, I'd explain (he'd probably think they were wrestling Any child who thought they were doing something else has already been exposed to sex and that parent already has some explaining to do.) . Chances are he wouldn't even notice. He would either be completely not interested because it is a store that sells clothing, and so wouldn't even be paying attention, or he would also be drawn to the rest of the store because of the color arrangement. After checking that out, he'd be bored.
If you make a big deal out of it, it will be a big deal. If you don't, it won't.
proegge: Meh. I would be more drawn into the store by
Bennetton has always been genius at getting attention; and considering they're a business, it makes sense. But this is, at best, crass commercial art (a store display!) cynically masquerading as something significant. I give them credit for successfully getting people to look and talk about them. But no points for anything grander. This was never about free speech. It's about free advertising.
sidge: Bennetton has always been genius at getting attention; and considering
It's cool looking and it's SEX, people !! It's not killing, shooting, rape, beat-downs, prison, dead bodies... what is wrong w/ this country? For cryin out loud!
jerseymaiden: It's cool looking and it's SEX, people !! It's not
How is it disgusting? Where the hell do you think yarn comes from?!? (also, their denotes posession and they're is the contraction for they are. Even if you had you used there it still would have made sense but you went against the odds and mistakenly chose the only homophone that could not work.)
John_Glosson: How is it disgusting? Where the hell do you think
you consider that porn?...my goodness...i highly suggest staying off the internet lest you come across a picture of you know....... a actual nipple or an ankle or something from a human being.
martincl: you consider that porn?...my goodness...i highly suggest staying off the
No Michelangelo or bible pictures for the children of the objecting parents of the yarn art! Hid your children and keep them in the house because if these children live in NYC it's entirely possible they've seen a live sex act on the streets if the children can walk on their own.
Parade_Keegan: No Michelangelo or bible pictures for the children of the
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Posted: 09/19/2012 5:49 pm Updated: 09/20/2012 5:07 pm