signs

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Art

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 unexpected projects in cities around the world, which you can see more of on Instagram.

 

Art

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)

Art

ATTENTION: Public Warning Signs by April Soetarman Engage the Emotions of Unsuspecting Pedestrians

Designer and artist April Soetarman has been producing and anonymously hanging custom street signs around her hometown of Seattle since 2016. The practice started as a way for her to diversify her art-making, which had previously been more architecture-based, in addition to working through some feelings she was processing at the time. After her original “NOTICE: I Never Stopped Loving You. Hope You’re Well” sign became viral, she began producing other rewrites of classic street and warning signs and adding them to her website Weird Side Projects.

After several requests for her most popular sign “ATTENTION: You Are Wonderful And Deserve Every Happiness,” Soetarman decided to go public with the design and recently started a Kickstarter to fund a larger run. You can see more of her aluminum signs, and further art projects, on her website and Instagram. (via This Isn’t Happiness)

Photography

Partially Obscured Golden Arches Photographed Throughout Warsaw by Zuzanna Szarek

While growing up in post-communist Warsaw, photographer Zuzanna Szarek dreamt about the movies, toys, and food produced in America. McDonald’s was one aspect of the culture readily available to Szarek as a child in the 90s, and its Happy Meal toys always provided a rush of excitement. Today Warsaw is undergoing rapid changes, with hip stores and restaurants popping up as fast as its skyscrapers. Although the golden arches of her childhood still remain, they are now blocked by towering buildings and new construction.

For her series M, Szarek captures these strange juxtapositions, photographing what has long been viewed as an American icon as it becomes lost and obscured. “The over-sized monster hovering above the city’s landscape has became more of a landmark than a destination itself,” she tells Colossal. You can see more images from this series on her website and Instagram. (via This Isn’t Happiness)