Ebony, Ivory...

... live together in perfect harmony. If only. But graphically we can say that that this is the classic combination, black on white, very trad, very easy, very functional. No need for flourescents, glitter, multi coloured posters, glossy finishes, pimp my print job. Unfortunately for me there was a distinct lack of 'harmony' going on when I photographed 'Keep Gate Clear'. I was impressed, it was very clear and unambiguous, but seeming to keep on the right side of assertiveness- rather than some of the bossy notices that make you want to disobey them. And then the ultimate finishing touches, laminated and attached by pins, this is a professional at work I thought. Snapping this impressive example adorning someones back gate I was accosted by an old man with his family in the car who was not best pleased to find me documenting his signage and who got a bit uppity when I explained I go round taking photos of whatever random things take my fancy and he didn't own the digital file. Didn't have a chance to get into the finer points of contested public space and intellectual property rights and my obscure lines of inquiry, but perhaps another time when he has calmed down a bit.

Of course anyone can print something on a bit of A4 and put it somewhere, coming over all official. Two contrasting examples follow. 'Wet Paint', its got a branded logo, text that tells us it's an 'approved partner' but it still looks dead scrappy and lame assed. Bad layout, primary message obscured by fixing method, faded photocopy, how can we respect this sign? 'Collection Care Seminar' appears to have all the wrong stuff going on. Dashed off in a minute, placed on an external door with blue tack, unprotected by a covering of any kind, any passer-by could have taken it down, or indeed, put it up. And yet it has authority, its crisp, legible and once again tells us that black capitals with no surrounding distractions are excellent communicators.

'Stop Scientology Moving to Moseley' posters appearred overnight all around a particular neighbourhood, comprehensively pasted onto grey street boxes and fences within an impressive radius. It is probably true to say that this isn't the work of a 'grown up' ex-stickerer, matured and employing the old techniques for a home grown propaganda war. We have that to look forward to, OAP taggers and wild style National Trust supporters. In fact looking at the example above we can imagine a parent and teenage child bonding side by side, one with a marker pen in hand, the other with a paste pot and handful of printouts, ahh! Whatever you think of Scientology, you've got to admire this spirited hijacking of urban artform methodology to spread this dissenting voice, a campaign that says to anyone 'if you feel strongly about something, get your message out there'. If you've got access to a word processor and a printer, or a photocopier, or even a black pen and and bit of paper, and of course the means to attach your sign, you are half way there.

To follow, postings on 'lost pet posters' and annoying 'no parking' signs, WATCH THIS SPACE...

the subliminal lightness of seeing

Now this one is about things left behind, absence and powerful communication through apparently quiet means. The first pic I took in this sequence was, I think, a trace of tape or ribbon that found its way as a kind of imprint onto a paver. Very subtle, but just unusual enough to catch the eye, a nice little twist.

Not long after and I spotted this example of a primtive tagger's daub emerging from within a classic, graphic combination of black and white chevrons. Perhaps a cleaning fluid revealled it's clean outline on a ground of fuzzy grey after the spray paint colour had been zapped? It has a hint of invisible ink about it, like time sensitive graffitti that emerges 24 hours after it has been applied. That would be cool!

Of course our corporate cousins are never far behind and the idea for cleaning a path through daily grime to miraculously give birth to a drinks promotion combines cynicism and genuine inventiveness. And then the ultimate form of ambient media employed by our local friendly multinational - a five metre wide billboard with, get this, writing so carefully toned you have to work your cute little eyeballs to find out its just a fecking car ad. Thanks for that! Whatever happend to world peace and save the whale? Get in on the act, quiet writing slips into the unconcious and leaves a little message behind, remember, guns don't kill people, people do, or something...