Reply
Sun 11 Apr, 2004 06:01 am
Read a fascinating article today. Seems that there is a man who, since the 1980's, has been documenting the signs that are painted on buildings in Manhattan, specifically from 14th to 42nd Street.
Most of the signs go back many decades, and tout products and companies that no longer exist. Wherever he can, Walter Grutchfield has researched the signs, and provides a short blurb about the product or company that the sign represents. Many of the signs are nearly faded out, and some of the signs that he photographed early on are no longer in existence.
You can see a sampling of the signs at:
http://www.14to42.net/
What I found fascinating, is that one of the defunct signs advertised a handbag company that was a customer of my father's, many decades ago.
Building art - I love it. My fondest memory of painting on building was the one of Gooden pitching painted on a building that came into view just as one emerged from the Lincoln Tunnel in the late 80s.
Personally, one of the most delightful aspects of the Internet is having access to the work of individualistic devotees.
Not to be blasphemous, but the metaphor that comes to mind is "a house of many mansions".
Speaking of signs, it looks like Times Square has been cleaned up abit.
The website
Forgotten NY: The Infrastructure of a Lost Metropolis shows lots of photographs of vintage New York City (arranged in sections for signs, street lamps, trolleys, trains, subways, alleys, and more; includes an eclectic collection of links, most of which are related to New York City).
Might be an additional interesting tour :wink:
Phoenix32890 wrote:
Interesting? It is an absolute treat! Thanks so much! 
Just give me one chocolate egg ... or bunny :wink:
Phoenix32890 wrote:Walter- You can have a dozen!
Ehem, Mrs. Walter will be out in half an hour - can you wait until then?
By this I also volunteer to eat some chocolate eggs and bunnies :wink:
You eat your Klompen Chocolate/Steenland Klompjes. Basta.
Weak point, Walter? ...But wait a minute: we don't have chocolate klompen! For a change, we Dutch stay with the chocolate bunnies and eggs...but I understand your point. I hope the Easter Bunny will be good for me this year :wink: and give me lots of chocolate!
Rick d'Israeli wrote: we don't have chocolate klompen!
They are only sold out:
LINK
But since they have sold chocolate eggs with a chocolate bunny inside, changes are excellent for next year!
WOW how do you know all that? I suddenly feel un-Dutch....I want chocolate klompjes...MOM! :wink:
Rick d'Israeli wrote: I suddenly feel un-Dutch....
Noord-Brabanters are Dutch? ('Voor Randstedelingen te zuidelijk, voor Belgen te ver naar het noorden.') :wink:
Hey Phoenix, thanks for the link...and thanks to littlek for the heads up.
This would be my artistic equivalent in NY I suppose---Im a freak when it comes to shadow ads.
Shadows is the historical/architectural name, fading ads is the artistic name.
I had found one guy in NY that did the same thing previously:
http://www.fadingad.com/index.html
Walter , can you give me the URL for that site?...my browser doesn't like some hyperlinks
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace