| MSS RELEASE |
| What is Mobile Sign
Systems?
Mobile Sign Systems is a new temporary, public art project
organized by Marc Fischer. The above artists will each create hinged, free-standing
sandwich board signs closely resembling the design commonly used by gas stations,
car washes, and produce stands. Why should artists use free-standing Mobile Sign Systems? The hinged, free-standing sandwich board sign is a mainstay
of urban advertising. They can be built quickly, easily, and inexpensively.
The sandwich board is also portable and can support a large amount of visual
information. They can sit in an empty lot or insert themselves into the physical
space of pedestrians on the sidewalk. Importantly, sandwich boards are recognized
and understood by the public which makes these signs perfect for artists'
use. A creative shift of intent, design, content or placement in a medium
normally used solely for commercial evdeavors can potentially produce a lasting
experience of wonder, ambiguity, confusion and mystery in public space. What will be shown at Temporary Services? All of the artists listed above will show their signs at
Temporary Services. The signs will appear not just inside the gallery space,
but in front of other buildings near the space along Milwaukee Ave. This
presentation will be the only opportunity to see all of these signs together
in one place before they are dispersed throughout the city. This show at
Temporary Services will be used to launch the Mobile Sign Systems project
and distribute a free booklet that will include extensive essays, images
and a list of suggested readings. A documentary slide show featuring slides
of 80 commercially used sandwich boards located throughout Chicago will also
be shown in the gallery to provide a context for the artists' signs. How will this temporary, public art project work? As soon as the exhibit closes on June 26, these signs will be placed anonymously throughout Chicago and there will be no further formal announcement about where they can be seen. Some signs will be placed at specific sites that they were conceived for, others will be moved to and from various locations throughout the city where they will remains situated until moved by the artist, stolen, removed or vandalized by the city or public. Some of the signs will be politely positioned in front of empty lots and vacated stores while others will go where they are uninvited and perhaps unwelcome. Rather than forcing a community to co-exist with permanent public art, we have decided to act without permission and accept the risks inherent in doing so. The city and the public will have to determine for themselves whether these works have merit and deserve respect. |