Today I decided to put the "Look up more" sign at a pedestrians' crossing in a busy road in the centre of Norwich. I chose St. George's street because it is not only very busy but it is also close to the university so I could document people's behaviour. Below you can see pictures I took and how indeed many people look at their smartphones.
I enjoyed working on this project and I can imagine how greater impact it would have if I had made more signs and placed them in central crossing points in the city. Despite the end of ASU2, I can continue this project as a self initiated one.
As the end of the term approaches I am completing my "Artificial Terror" project by inviting people to be involved. Today I created two "Have you seen him?" posters that are going to be put around the streets of my neighbourhood.
The images used show only some suspicious shadow of a man that was documented at night.
The text underneath the picture reads: "If you have any information about this man please contact us via email at: watchingdover@gmail.com".
The email address was created particularly for my project as a way to receive people's feedback and "us" shows that there is a group's initiative and not just one person. This will give the feeling of a coordinated effort.
The posters are going to be seen exactly at the place where the pictures where taken, as well as the neighbouring streets.
During my research I came across many humorous examples that i would like to avoid. However it was quite helpful as to the visual language that I should adopt.
I did not include a phone number or email address in the form of a detachable part as I want the information to be seen by everyone that reads the poster. Additionally, no reward is offered as it is more of a moral issue that should concern the public rather than an individual missing a pet.
This is the third time I will create an artwork and leave it on the street as a part of the "Free Art Friday". Last time I painted a small train and this time I was looking for an object with smooth surfaces and bigger in size.
I bought the vase shown below from my neighbourhood's second hand shop only for £ 2.5
The first layer was painted by using spray paint and then I added abstract shapes and lines using markers.
The person who finds it also receives a note that is hidden inside the vase. the text on the note reads:
Dear friend, this piece is free for you to take! "Free Art Friday" brings art to the streets and makes us people to explore our city. If you like my work and would like to see more please visit the links below:
flickr.com/donbiletos
instagram.com/donbiletos
bilosgraffiti.blogspot.com
I documented my morning from the moment that I put the vase in my bag until i leave it somewhere in the centre of Norwich. Documenting the creation of the piece is equally valued to the documentation of the action as well as the audience's responses as they are all parts of which a "Free Art Friday" consists of.
The image below was uploaded on my Instagram account as well as on my Facebook Artist's page with the caption: " Here is my clue for today's Free Art Friday. If you are in Norwich you can probably guess where this is. Good luck! "
By uploading a "clue", the audience is called to follow my social media accounts if they want to get to the prize first. It works pretty much like a game in the city
It was exciting to receive a comment on the picture of the vase from the person that had found it!
For the past two Fridays I have been going out in the streets to leave my artwork early in the morning. The preparation takes almost the form of a ritual. On the previous day, the busy and tiring Thursday, is when I try to find a nice object that i am going to paint on. It is essential for me to buy these objects from second hand shops or find them in the streets as a part of the cycle of life of objects.
Another important aspect of my approach is to paint on three dimensional objects. My first Free Art Friday was just an envelope with a print inside. As the weeks passed, I tried to create three dimensional works as an opportunity to experiment but also as a way to create something that people can place in their space and will need no framing or nails on a wall.
I do not mind at all going through the process of finding the objects or getting up at 5:45 every Friday morning. I value every second of it as it is a very special way to promote my work and brings art and joy to other people as a gift in the streets.
