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Quippy Interventions by Michael Pederson Are Camouflaged as Legitimate Street Signs

Working as Miguel Marquez Outside, artist Michael Pederson (previously) installs signage around urban areas that at first glance, might appear as an average city-issued nameplate or placard. His clever interventions mimic official warnings and notices in design and placement, disguising their witty messages and unusual purposes. In some of his more recent pieces, Pederson dubs a sagging bench the "Endless Waiting Area," marks a grassy runway as a pigeon terminal, and installs a miniature wonderland down a drainage tube. Although the artist primarily works in Australia, you can find his…

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Michael Pederson’s Lighthearted Street Art is Hidden in Plain Sight

Using the nom de guerre Miguel Marquez Outside, Michael Pederson (previously here and here) tucks art installations in unexpected locations around Sydney. The artist's plaques, signs, and miniature architecture tend to center around ideas of escape, isolation, and our relationship to social norms. But he approaches these heavy subjects with a a sense of humor and brings a lighthearted pseudohistory to various structures and spaces. And if Pederson's shovel piece, shown below, has you wondering, you can use this site to find out what location is on the opposite side of the world from you. See more of the artist's work on Instagram.  

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New Miniature Warning Signs and Other Humorous and Unexpected Interventions by Michael Pederson

Michael Pederson, a.k.a. Miguel Marquez Outside (previously), installs miniature signs, work sites, and queues in unassuming locations, transforming ordinary plants and objects into moments of intrigue for unsuspecting passersby. In one recent work he tracks the lifespan of a solitary weed poking through a sidewalk crack. A tiny wooden ladder leans against a sign that marks the number of days the plant has been growing. In another work he installed two small stanchions in front of a hole in a stone wall. A small sign reads "Please wait here until called," presenting the illusion that a mouse-sized club or popular eatery…

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Urban Weed Awards Crown Unwanted Plants with Superlatives

Michael Pederson (previously) takes note of small, peculiar moments with his outdoor interventions. Frequently using subtly humorous signage, the artist, who goes by 'Miguel Marquez Outside', draws the attention of passersby to places where perception of seemingly banal scenarios are reimagined in surprising ways. His most recent project was the Urban Weed Awards, for which Pederson created official-looking plaques to denote superlatives for plants that most people might consider a nuisance. He designated three weeds as winners for "unique site", "best in show", and "most delicate". Follow along with Pederson's work on Instagram and Tumblr. (via This Isn't Happiness)

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Humorous New Contextual Street Sign Interventions by Michael Pederson

Look close, or you'll miss it. Camouflaged like legitimate street signs in public spaces around Sydney you'll find these fun urban interventions by artist Michael Pederson (aka Miguel Marquez Outside). A park solitude rating guide, oversized emergency panic buttons, or personal space preference cards, all completely ludicrous and yet it's hard not to think these might be useful in certain situations. We've mentioned Pederson here previously, and you can see more of Pederson's work on Instagram.

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Humorous Street Signs and Other Contextual Street Art Interventions by Michael Pederson

Across the urban cityscape of Sydney, in parks, suburban streets, and industrial zones, you're likely to encounter a plethora of signs and placards while going about your day: warnings, traffic regulations, helpful guides, and city services. But, look closer, and you might find an intervention by artist Michael Pederson who delights in creating humorous and thoughtful signs that blend into the city backdrop. Pederson makes use of pre-existing elements like park benches or abandoned furniture to share messages meant to snap a viewer out of their daily routine and see the world from a more contemplative or even childlike perspective,…

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