a moment to forget-me-not

I read about this gorgeous guerrilla art project in Frankie, and I thought it was the most delightful thing I’d ever heard.

Earlier this year, 100 teacups containing forget-me-not seedlings were found scattered around Melbourne’s inner-city streets, on windowsills, doorsteps, bike racks, statues… anywhere that they might be found by someone needing to ‘take a moment.’

Each teacup was unique, and each had a little note attached telling the lucky finder to adopt it as their own, and to share their stories on the project website if they liked.

This was the work of an anonymous Melbourne artist known only as aMoment, who says:

‘Sometimes it’s good for life to stop. Smell the forget-me-nots and all that.

This is a gift. Take it. Share it.

Life sometimes puts blinkers on you. Don’t let it.’

My first (and entirely bitter and cynical) concern would be that the teacups wouldn’t be appreciated, and would either go ignored completely or get broken and misused by those hooligan vandals that seem fond of destroying anything that the public might find charming and special (the Banksy spaceman lives on!).

But it turns out most of the teacups have gone to good homes, and achieved exactly the sort of effect aMoment hoped for. Notes left on the aMoment website show a loving appreciation for the project and gratitude towards the artist for bringing some charm and joy into the drudgery of daily life:

‘I found a little forget me not teacup just outside the City Library! It really brightened my day so thank you! The teacup has now been relocated to my office but will soon be taken home to get some lovely sunshine.’

‘It was just sitting there, in a little nook beside my office door. What a delight! I’ve shown everyone in my office and it’s now taken pride of place on my desk 🙂 This is why I love Melbourne, this is why I love to work and play in the city. Whoever is responsible for nurturing this little piece of happiness, thank you, it’s very much appreciated :)’

‘I found #10 in Flinders lane this morning at 0800. It was in a corner looking lost so I have put it in the window in my office.’

‘Tucked away where I park my motorcycle – thriving on my desk at work overlooking the Treasury Gardens and all its cousins in the park…’

Like the writers of these comments, I think it’s so wonderful that there are people like aMoment out there creating tiny pieces of joy and sharing them with strangers. It would be so lovely to be surprised by something like that on the way to work! Maybe next time I’ll be lucky…

According to hints on aMoment’s blog, Drop #2 will be happening shortly- but it won’t be teacups this time. We’re not sure what exactly will be appearing, but it does have something to do with crochet. Keep your eyes open!