Graffiti and street art, I find, is at it's best when it really utilizes it's surroundings. From high end artists like Banksy to the small local finds like this Mario coming out of a pipe (sorry it's pretty far down the page), the more creatively they use the space the more poignant the work is. They don't always have to be thought-provoking and my favorites tend to be really silly ones that just brilliantly use one element of the street. I find stickers can really be put to great use to accomplish this goal of using a space. Whether playing off the words of a sign or just finding a great way to frame their picture, it's always a treat to find these examples of creative utilization.
When I originally found the sticker, I was immediately struck by the intimate nature of it. It's such a small sticker that you really have to get up close to see all the details. This photo is actually a different exposure, the first time I saw this sticker was on a pole near East Liberty. I had to make multiple attempts to get that original exposure, trying to find the right distance to fully capture that same feeling of intimacy. And while I'm sure the creator is making a statement about hipsters, it does kind of feel like a peek behind the curtain. The look of contemplation with the pipe and phone, granted purposely over the top, does seem to fit this man's general attitude. And while a little weird, I can totally see others choosing this method of relaxation on a rainy day. Noticing this sticker here on the walk signal button, I knew that this would be the better photo. The way the button frames the sticker is definitely far more compelling and plays a bit more with your perception of it. Since the button is curved, it causes the light to reflect off the sticker making it appear like he's actually under a bubble or that you're peering through a port hole. What started off feeling like a peek at the person, now has the feeling like you're peering through a window at him. There is also the fun fact that while it gives the feeling of peeking, it's unlikely that you'll notice him while you're pushing the button.
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Maggie Ondrey
An amateur photographer and writer capturing a small portion of the city. Archives
August 2017
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