Monday, November 28, 2005

Big Signs, Small Signs, Tricky Signs



Big Signs tend to come down quickly, although they do make for neat photographs. By duct-taping wire coathangars to the top, you can hang huge canvases in seconds flat. Long bungee cords strap them in place. Always post on the INSIDE of the fencing, NOT directly over traffic.




Small Signs stay up much longer and are far easier to post discreetly. The vast majority of the signs I put up are small ones: simple reminders dotting the peripheries of the freeways. Unlike large signs, small signs tend to stay up for days or weeks, depending on how you cleverly place them, rather than hours. In terms of message spreading, small signs are far more effective than large ones.


These signs were placed on divided highways, facing traffic in the opposite direction and invisible to those who could take them down easily. Even though they're physically very close, in order to actually reach them, drivers have to go miles out of their way to get to them. Once you get into the freewayblogging mindset, driving becomes a wholly new and different experience, and even roads you've been down a thousand times come alive with possibilities.









Tricky Signs, like this one over the 405, are probably the most effective.



Using hook-and-pole technology, I was able to hang this sign in a sealed-off overpass, where it swung merrily for six weeks over twelve lanes of traffic. I can't describe exactly what it's like to see a high-profile sign still up after days or weeks, but it's a pretty incredible feeling. Knowing that so many people had to absorb and reflect on what you had to say... it gives you a palpable rush.
"Power", I believe it's called, or maybe just "having a voice." Either way, it's something precious few of us get to experience these days.

For more placement strategies, go here: http://www.freewayblogger.com/strategies.htm

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