We all read bandit signs, whether intend to or not. Whether we admit it or not. They are everywhere and people even make videos on how to install them rapidly and avoid the sign inspectors. And unfortunately, most of the time are related to real estate, like: We Buy Houses.
I love this story about Atlanta artist, John Morse and his Roadside Haiku project. Notice the wit, sarcasm, perfection, and art in this simple image:
From August 17-21, 2010, John Morse created “Roadside Haiku,” an installation of nearly 500 ‘bandit signs’ throughout the city of Atlanta, each offering one of ten different haiku. Though at a glance they look like typical signs offering weight loss, quick money, debt counseling, etc., upon closer inspection the 17-syllable haiku reveal poetic perspectives on the urban condition, easily consumed during the brief seconds of a traffic stop. The installation was made possible by a generous grant from Flux Projects.
I love this quote from the short video:
“There’s a great deal of bad in the world and one of the few things that ameliorates the cruelties of the world is art. And a little bit of art can do a great deal of good. And I want to spend my life doing something good.”
It is one of the reasons I volunteer for Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, because it is has the greatest capacity to do something good for my local town of Woodstock. What are you doing that is good?
The bandit sign project is scheduled to be on display until Halloween and here is a map of the locations the signs were installed, in case you want to drive by and see the artist’s take on “consumerist allure” this week.
View John Morse, Roadside Haiku, Flux Projects, 2010 in a larger map
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These “poems” surprised me into laughing out loud.
Hilarious -
Very sly!
And Amen! on our Elm Street Cultural Arts Village in Cherokee County -
why should Atlanta have all the fun?