I’ve blogged before about how my little dude and I share a love for road signs. They are beautiful and iconic, and I am counting the days until Backseat A-B-See will be published by Chronicle Books (243 days, or somesuch) . I’ve also blogged about the San-Francisco-based artist Rigo, whose art is inspired by road signs.
This morning, I received an email from a Dutch woman who lives in Florence and shares my last name. A distant cousin perhaps? I hope so. I like the idea of distant family members living in Florence. Anyways, she told me about Clet Abraham, a French street artist who lives in Florence, and spends the nights prettying up the road signs in the streets of Florence by adding removeable stickers. Her kids love them.
She also sent me a link about Clet. Whereas I believe road signs are beautiful, Clet thinks they are invasive and absurd. His stickers are meant to provide the public with a “respectful alternative”. You go, Clet! Whatever motivates you, I love the result. Check out the “dead end” sign by a church on Via del Purgatorio. I would fly to Florence just to see that sign
Here is a video of some of his work. If I put this video on replay, squint my eyes and click my heels three times, I can just imagine myself there. Almost.