Massive Crocheted Alligator Playground Pops Up in São Paulo!

Brooklyn-based artist <a href="http://agataolek.com/home.html">Olek</a> is known for the ambitious scale of her work; when we last checked in on her, she crocheted <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-york-artist-olek-crochets-an-entire-apartment/">an entire NYC apartment</a>, transforming it into a surrealist, psychedelic house of yarn. Recently, Olek set her sights on São Paulo, where she collaborated with several Brazilian artists to produce "Crocheted Jacaréa," an enormous crocheted alligator playground that's completely covered in colorful yarn.

With the help of a team of "crocheteiros," Olek completely covered the massive alligator in colorful yarn and ribbons.

Kids can climb in, through and on top of the brightly-colored alligator, which loses some of its intimidation with that blanket of pink yarn.

The crocheted alligator is part of the <a href="http://www.sescsp.org.br/sesc/programa_new/busca.cfm?conjunto_id=9985">SESC Arts Show 2012</a>, a non-profit arts show across several venues that runs from July 19 to 29 in São Paulo.

The Polish-born artist has been quite prolific recently, covering everything from <a href="http://agataolek.com/portfolio/sculptures/sculptures_olek_07of26.jpg">a convertible</a> to <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/12/27/spotted_wall_street_bull_warms_up_w.php">the bull on Wall Street</a> in bright-colored yarn.

Olek's work is currently on display at the Smithsonian's "<a href="http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/renwick40/">40 Under 40: Craft Futures</a>" exhibit, and one of her crocheted bikes makes a cameo in the movie <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602472/">2 Days in New York</a></em>.

The eye of the alligator consists of a mix of brightly-colored wool yarn and Brazilian ribbons.