Let’s not think of it as “stolen”, let’s think of it as “ephemeral art”. And let’s not think of those who stole it as thieves, let’s think of them as “unknowing participants in a social experiment”.
Yes, after just two and a half days on the telephone pole, the Brave Little Painting, created by the Mystery Painter of Lower Wallingford and nailed to a pole on N Pacific, at the foot of Sunnyside (below 37th) by Barb B., has disappeared. The writing was on the wall, as Barb reported yesterday that she saw some 20-somethings testing its security, but still, we thought it would last longer. The other telephone pole paintings in Lower Wallingford have fared months, at least, without harm.
Really, though, should we feel angry, melancholy, or joyful? Is a painting nailed to a telephone pole truly free? Did Barb own it? Perhaps it will bring edification and growth to those who took it, and what more can we ask of a painting?
It reminds us of an art project our friend Nicole Kistler installed in Texas, in which hundreds of plastic animals (bears, penguins, flamingos) were left marching across a college lawn. Their inevitable disappearance over the following weeks was considered part of the piece, and she followed up with “Missing” posters. Slowly, over a period of months, many of the animals started returning, often with bits and pieces of story attached to them: a dreadlock wig on one, a Dali moustache on another, a diary with a third.
Still, if you know what happened to the painting, let us know. And if you took it, you’re a douche.
It might be fun next time to post the painting where a video camera can “watch” it. Then when it dispappears post some sort of “thank you” to the new owner of the painting, complete with their picture.
The same thing happened at 44th and Sunnyside last month. The incident elicited some interesting responses on The Stranger’s blog. Check it out. (WARNING: Some language rated PG-13).
I had the wrong location, corrected.
Hmmm — is this an extension of our informal recycling program, where we just leave unwanted things at the curb? Nah, probably not.
is this painting now up on 41st (or 42nd) and Sunnyside (or maybe Corliss)? Saw one that looks a lot like missing one in that area today.
xv — the painting you’re referring to is part of a series that the “brave litle painting” was also part of. You find another on 35th street on the #26 bus route. (Location not published as we’re watching it to see how long it stays). I haven’t found all the others yet, but think there were 8 total.
If we could just get them to “steal” all the undated “Yard Sale: Saturday” signs that stay up all summer. Hmmm, that gives me an idea for a painting.
on bainbridge island, someone posted heart shaped signs reading “take your time” on a road where speeding is rampant and bike riders are many. after a few days, maybe almost 2 weeks, they were walloped w/ baseball bats. The intrepid Zen traffic cop then got out a ladder and posted new signs higher up, and there they stay ( the half bashed away signs stay as well).
Thanks for the shout out Jordan…I don’t know how the Brave Little Painting artist feels, but I wanted to know what happened to the Manimals…where did they go? What did they do? 6 or 7 actually came back to the site after partying. Does the mystery artist want to know where they went or would have preferred they stayed up?