Id, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
The city is a forest of signs, words and pictures vying for attention. Most of them are highly transient, quickly posted over, vandalized or damaged. They’re usually more interesting in their ruined state.
The cluster of pasted bills above is an example of a recent trend in advertising of using images that are eye-catching without any clear relationship to the product being sold. Maybe the one above is about sweat socks, as those are the boring element juxtaposed with the iridescent butterflies and the child grotesque, but I really don’t know for sure. I do think the weathering and paint stains absolutely enhance the collage.
There is something about the ruined signs that suggests that no voice can prevail and no rule can overcome the power of entropy:
Authority, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
A bulletin board that has been cleaned retains fragments of all the messages it has borne:
Stripped Bulletins, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Some signs have been up for so long those responsible for them have long ago stopped noticing that they have deteriorated to the point of illegibility:
Saint Anthony's Market, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
This one was on a Polish candy store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Isn’t that candy irresistible?:
Wedel, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
Perhaps you’d prefer a flavored Italian ice?:
Water Ices, 2008, photo by Fred Hatt
A sticker on a glass door is subject to the effects of the sun:
Cards Accepted, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt
Rust has an almost camouflaging effect on this sign:
No Parking Driveway, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Layers of peeling paint blunt the danger, or at least the sign:
Danger Illegible, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
And this sign has fallen off the wall, leaving an intriguing calligraphy in dried glue:
Sign Glue, 2008, photo by Fred Hatt
If you love decay and erosion and ruined things, as I do, this mat will make you feel very welcome:
Welcome, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
Here’s a fluorescent backlit poster, starting to go to seed in January:
Your Spirit Guide, January 2007, photo by Fred Hatt
And the same sign six months later, in a magnificent state of deterioration:
Your Spirit Guide, July 2007, photo by Fred Hatt
Some classic signs are worn down in a way that’s perfect. This sign matches the building, and would hardly be improved by being spruced up:
Joe's Tavern, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt
Destroyed words and letters can be an aesthetic demonstration that “Time is an artist”. Wrecked pictures of people have a more shocking effect:
Sean John, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt
They also tend to invite tampering in a way that verbal signs don’t:
Gum, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Reality Show, 2008, photo by Fred Hatt
A great smile makes you want to buy what’s for sale. This one makes me want to run out and gather up some void!:
Lipstick Smile, 2009, photo by Fred Hatt
