The Best Things In Life Aren't Things


I recieved your message

For that I can thank Jack, who, left to his own devices in any park, field, or forest, gravitates toward the perimeter. (Jack is not an eccentric friend, no, but rather an eager beagle.) There we were one summer evening, me dutifully trailing behind him along the western, least-inhabited edge of an east end Toronto park. And there it was, your message, stenciled on a retaining wall beside the GO Train tracks.

Halfway though reading it, I had the sharp realization that it was different - bulkier - than what I had first precieved it to be. I read on. The finish - that tart "aren't things" in place of the expected hippie-dippy "are free" - gave me a pleasant jolt. Then made me laugh. Earlier in the day, I had been ranting and raving about the annoying regularity of mortgage payment, which now struck me as absurdly melodarmatic.

Over the next few weeks, I meant to tell Barry and Anne - and one or two others close to me - about my discovery. Yet every time I had the chance I resisted the urge. Why? Well, partly because of the whole "You had to be there" thing. But mostly because i wanted to keep your message - essentially hidden in plain sight, seemingly directed at me - to myself. It's true. I was reluctant to relinquish the secret.

Since then Jack and I have been back to the park many times. I always check to see if your message remains intact. It makes me feel, somehow, safe.

There are a few things I'd like to ask you. Did you think of it yourself? Was it a one-shot deal, or are there other locations? Do you do your work by night? And, finally, does that improperly formed apostrophe (I call that a symbol for foot) rile you as much as it riles me? Of course, I don't expect answers.

I recieved your message. Now I've passed it on.

Michael


I found this wonderful editorial in the March/April 2006 issue of AZURE magazine. There are a few different things, welling in my mind that could be great talking points about this page. First is the recent trend of thought provoking graffiti, obviously created by educated designers looking for an edgy outlet for their deepest thoughts. The second is the simple beauty of the photograph. The autum colors and bare trees behind the broken wall and cold chainlink. The setting emphasises the point being made by the stenciled message. Third is the idea of writting an open letter to a graffiti artist who quite understandably wishes to remain annonymous. I really like the last line saying "I recieved your message. Now I've passed it on."

So now you see the kinds of things that I will be posting on this blog. I hope you visit often and welcome your comments on the design pieces found here or on my commentary on them.

Chad

PS Pass it on...