Christopher Potts

I know how hard it is to get friends to come to shows.

Found on the sidewalk of 11th Street.

Mariah vs. Janet

The publicity blitz for Mariah Carey's new E=MC2 album is on. On this one subway poster, a Janet Jackson fan has taped up an ad for that corporate pop diva's new release, "Discipline."

At least Janet Jackson could define discipline, while I doubt that Mariah Carey could explain the equation E=MC2.

Found in Long Island City.

Stop The Raids & Deportations

This is the Spanish side of a flyer calling for a May Day march. Left-wing revolutionaries always include a Spanish translation. It's part of the pose.

These days , being a socialist is a lifestyle choice, like being a hippie or a punk. You talk the talk, walk the walk, and wear the Che t-shirt, but it's merely going through the motions. There's no more likelihood of a socialist revolution than of goths making every day on the calendar Halloween.

The Message: Procession

This is a recollection of a Catholic parade on Aruba with some scientific words mixed in. At the bottom it says , "Un message: No Peace...No Justice! God Bless Papa "

Art or insanity? Te inclusion of words that are both highlighted and double underlined point to the latter.

Found in Union Square.

Caution: You Are Entering A Sound Rating Zone

While walking down University Place, I stumbled into a sound rating zone.

This is the zone, near the corner of West 11th and University, where the Cedar Tavern used to be.

This is the guy who did the sound rating. His method was to tap everything with a stick and rate the sounds.

The rating categories were resonance, tonality and uniqueness, and the scale was 1 through 10

Passers-by were invited to make their own ratings. I did not see anyone take him up on this.

No Security

When I saw this on Bowery, I thought that the hand written "no security" was a warning added by a second party, as in "this building offers no security and your stuff will get stolen." But maybe the creator of the flyer added it, meaning that no security deposit is necessary. That's something that I'd want to know before moving in with my photo studio or editing suite.

Don't Believe The Next 9/11

Someone handed this to me in Union Square.

I remember the last 9/11. The weather was still warm so my wife and went to Central Park for a picnic. Then we rented a tandem bike and went for a ride. On the way home we found $50 that we used to pay for a perfect meal at Il Cantinori. And we finished it all with a 5-hour lovemaking marathon. It was an unbelievable day and if the next 9/11 is half as good, it will be amazing too.

Leviticus - Part 19: Recent Studio Paintings

A month ago, Leviticus posted flyers looking for an art studio space and he already has three painting finished. I'll guess that "Revenge", "Sacrifice" and "Resurrection" are the titles.

The flyer doesn't mention a gallery and the paintings are only up from 5 - 7PM. Perhaps Leviticus has something more guerrilla planned.

Evolution

I love this sort of graphics. This poster breaks so many rules of good design and looks the better for it.


Found in Park Slope.

Sorry To Hear About Your Job 203-432-1050

The Bureau of General Inquiry tries to provoke their audience with a slightly more specific message. Operators are standing by.

Found in Long Island City.

Not So Cool Kids

I saw a flyer for Not So Cool Kids before and thought that they were a band. The Not So Cool Kids web site has this description:

Kings of New York.

Not So Cool Kids were born and bred in New York City. The creative energy behind the line emanates from a design philosophy inspired by the Wheel of Dharma. Not So Cool Kids <3 all the people. Pay it forward.

Using Eastern philosophy as a selling idea, not so cool, kids.

Bi-Coastal Sticker Culture

Two cities separated by 3,000 miles and united by a bi-coastal sticker culture. Thousands of web sites, bands, magazines and causes vying for your attention through the democracy of low-cost promotion. Of course, the L.A. stickers have a glossier surface.

Fuck Yoga

I can understand the backlash against yoga. There's nothing wrong with putting your ankles behind your neck but there is something annoying about walking around with a yoga mat hanging out of your bag. It doesn't make you look like you're seeking Nirvana, more like you're seeking status.

Found on Lafayette Street.

We Want To Know 203-432-1050

I called the Bureau of General Inquiry at the number on the flyer and spoke with a representative. I asked a few questions and got only a few answers. They want to know, not tell.

Found in Long Island City.

Non Grata Performance Tour

I think Non Grata is a performance art group. This image looks like a snapshot from Burning Man.

Found in Soho.

Leviticus - Part 18: Career Opportunities

Wishing I Could Cry video is essentially a music video made with historical photos of the Holocaust mixed with seemingly random words from texts.

Fruits + Veggies

Strange and nutritious. Found on 13th Street.

War Made Easy

This anti-war documentary is narrated by Sean Penn. I can't think of anyone more annoying for the part. He was great for "Dogtown and Z-Boys" but that was non-political. Even the little bit that he was in "When The Levees Broke" was beyond irritating.

You Suck Sarah Marshall

I suck Sarah Marshall? What part in particular? I think what they mean is "You suck, Sarah Marshall." A comma is a small thing, but it makes a difference.

Don't Forget Irish Day

I found this taped to a lamppost at the intersection of 5th & 23rd. It reads,

DON'T FORGET
IRISH DAY
AT THE Hairy Monk
25 ST 3 AVE
SUNDAY night
9pm
Wayne + Brook shields

Brook must have been pretty drunk when she wrote this.