[Music] you
what am I to talk about today is how we
what am I to talk about today is how we leave our mark on this world do you let
leave our mark on this world do you let
leave our mark on this world do you let people how do you let people in the
people how do you let people in the
people how do you let people in the future know that you existed that you
future know that you existed that you
future know that you existed that you left a unique presence specific to you
left a unique presence specific to you
left a unique presence specific to you and that somehow you made a difference
and that somehow you made a difference
and that somehow you made a difference we all fear being forgotten and yet when
we all fear being forgotten and yet when
we all fear being forgotten and yet when it comes trying to stand out when it
it comes trying to stand out when it
it comes trying to stand out when it comes time to stand out we are struck
comes time to stand out we are struck
comes time to stand out we are struck with fear fear of being judged because
with fear fear of being judged because
with fear fear of being judged because in our eyes people see us now how how
in our eyes people see us now how how
in our eyes people see us now how how they’ll remember us forever so better
they’ll remember us forever so better
they’ll remember us forever so better for them to remember you is quiet and
for them to remember you is quiet and
for them to remember you is quiet and normal versus loud and irrational right
normal versus loud and irrational right
normal versus loud and irrational right so let me give you a little hint people
so let me give you a little hint people
so let me give you a little hint people don’t really care and they have very
don’t really care and they have very
don’t really care and they have very short memories which is ironic given
short memories which is ironic given
short memories which is ironic given that people are the ones who will carry
that people are the ones who will carry
that people are the ones who will carry your story forward long after you’re
your story forward long after you’re
your story forward long after you’re gone
gone
gone what I mean is but your first impression
what I mean is but your first impression
what I mean is but your first impression isn’t your only impression five seconds
isn’t your only impression five seconds
isn’t your only impression five seconds of embarrassment doesn’t taint a
of embarrassment doesn’t taint a
of embarrassment doesn’t taint a lifetime of work you’ll never know what
lifetime of work you’ll never know what
lifetime of work you’ll never know what others will think of your mark on this
others will think of your mark on this
others will think of your mark on this planet is being so why not throw
planet is being so why not throw
planet is being so why not throw something against a wall and see if it
something against a wall and see if it
something against a wall and see if it sticks
sticks
sticks so whether today or in ancient times
so whether today or in ancient times
so whether today or in ancient times folks have always enjoyed proudly
folks have always enjoyed proudly
folks have always enjoyed proudly leaving their marks however slight on
leaving their marks however slight on
leaving their marks however slight on walls for all to see using graffiti
walls for all to see using graffiti
walls for all to see using graffiti leaving some random thought of yours in
leaving some random thought of yours in
leaving some random thought of yours in spray paint on a railroad viaduct or
spray paint on a railroad viaduct or
spray paint on a railroad viaduct or scratched into a wall take some guts to
scratched into a wall take some guts to
scratched into a wall take some guts to do your defacing property which is most
do your defacing property which is most
do your defacing property which is most likely illegal I think so buried in 79
likely illegal I think so buried in 79
likely illegal I think so buried in 79 AD the walls of the ruins of pompei
AD the walls of the ruins of pompei
AD the walls of the ruins of pompei italy are full of graffiti there’s even
italy are full of graffiti there’s even
italy are full of graffiti there’s even one that states all walls you have held
one that states all walls you have held
one that states all walls you have held so much tedious graffiti that I’m amazed
so much tedious graffiti that I’m amazed
so much tedious graffiti that I’m amazed that you have not already collapsed and
that you have not already collapsed and
that you have not already collapsed and ruin because it’s written in Latin and
ruin because it’s written in Latin and
ruin because it’s written in Latin and looks kind of elegant one might think
looks kind of elegant one might think
looks kind of elegant one might think that these might record profound
that these might record profound
that these might record profound thoughts or ideas rather they frequently
thoughts or ideas rather they frequently
thoughts or ideas rather they frequently caught that they frequently feature more
caught that they frequently feature more
caught that they frequently feature more common boasts about gladiators what
common boasts about gladiators what
common boasts about gladiators what someone’s bar tab might be or extremely
someone’s bar tab might be or extremely
someone’s bar tab might be or extremely rude thoughts about the Eknath of the
rude thoughts about the Eknath of the
rude thoughts about the Eknath of the opposite sex
opposite sex
opposite sex you can just picture some guy in some
you can just picture some guy in some
you can just picture some guy in some bar in 70ad
bar in 70ad
bar in 70ad thinking screw it I’m gonna let
thinking screw it I’m gonna let
thinking screw it I’m gonna let everybody know what I think of my boss
everybody know what I think of my boss
everybody know what I think of my boss by scratching it into this wall
by scratching it into this wall
by scratching it into this wall surely whoever wrote this rafidhi never
surely whoever wrote this rafidhi never
surely whoever wrote this rafidhi never thought that his random scribbling would
thought that his random scribbling would
thought that his random scribbling would be part of discussion here 2,000 years
be part of discussion here 2,000 years
be part of discussion here 2,000 years later but it is so it turns out people
later but it is so it turns out people
later but it is so it turns out people are the same no matter what the era and
are the same no matter what the era and
are the same no matter what the era and their desire to be heard by others to be
their desire to be heard by others to be
their desire to be heard by others to be validated and remembered and echo it
validated and remembered and echo it
validated and remembered and echo it echoes across the centuries all the same
echoes across the centuries all the same
echoes across the centuries all the same it was an initial trip to Europe in the
it was an initial trip to Europe in the
it was an initial trip to Europe in the late 1990s why even know about this
late 1990s why even know about this
late 1990s why even know about this fabulous ancient graffiti unlike in the
fabulous ancient graffiti unlike in the
fabulous ancient graffiti unlike in the States where you have to make a
States where you have to make a
States where you have to make a concerted effort to find something 300
concerted effort to find something 300
concerted effort to find something 300 years old
years old
years old in Europe you can practically trip over
in Europe you can practically trip over
in Europe you can practically trip over something that might be thousands of
something that might be thousands of
something that might be thousands of years old as a creative in the
years old as a creative in the
years old as a creative in the advertising world this trip really
advertising world this trip really
advertising world this trip really opened my eyes
opened my eyes
opened my eyes fired up my imagination and fueled a
fired up my imagination and fueled a
fired up my imagination and fueled a passion for ancient history that
passion for ancient history that
passion for ancient history that continues to this day to me the most
continues to this day to me the most
continues to this day to me the most interesting artifacts are the ones that
interesting artifacts are the ones that
interesting artifacts are the ones that show a bit of the personality of someone
show a bit of the personality of someone
show a bit of the personality of someone that existed so long ago a glimpse into
that existed so long ago a glimpse into
that existed so long ago a glimpse into a particular person’s character just
a particular person’s character just
a particular person’s character just like that guy’s complaint which actually
like that guy’s complaint which actually
like that guy’s complaint which actually translates into the phrase the boss
translates into the phrase the boss
translates into the phrase the boss isn’t worth a rat’s ass because they’ve
isn’t worth a rat’s ass because they’ve
isn’t worth a rat’s ass because they’ve actually found that the mediums change
actually found that the mediums change
actually found that the mediums change but the window to the soul that art
but the window to the soul that art
but the window to the soul that art provides doesn’t and say what you will
provides doesn’t and say what you will
provides doesn’t and say what you will but some ancient mediums are built to
but some ancient mediums are built to
but some ancient mediums are built to last during my first visit to Pompeii I
last during my first visit to Pompeii I
last during my first visit to Pompeii I remember a tour guide pointing out a
remember a tour guide pointing out a
remember a tour guide pointing out a floor mosaic that had been done
floor mosaic that had been done
floor mosaic that had been done obviously prior to the eruption and
obviously prior to the eruption and
obviously prior to the eruption and saying glass and marble don’t fade so
saying glass and marble don’t fade so
saying glass and marble don’t fade so that art looks essentially like the
that art looks essentially like the
that art looks essentially like the artist intended that idea simply blew me
artist intended that idea simply blew me
artist intended that idea simply blew me away an artist’s life versus his works
away an artist’s life versus his works
away an artist’s life versus his works life so as you can see by this chart
life so as you can see by this chart
life so as you can see by this chart that I spent a tremendous amount of time
that I spent a tremendous amount of time
that I spent a tremendous amount of time on
on
on it’s not even a contest that longevity
it’s not even a contest that longevity
it’s not even a contest that longevity concept really resonated with me I fell
concept really resonated with me I fell
concept really resonated with me I fell in love with the idea of capturing
in love with the idea of capturing
in love with the idea of capturing thoughts on my own with these tiny
thoughts on my own with these tiny
thoughts on my own with these tiny pieces of glass and marble that
pieces of glass and marble that
pieces of glass and marble that theoretically would allow folks many
theoretically would allow folks many
theoretically would allow folks many years from now to get an idea as to who
years from now to get an idea as to who
years from now to get an idea as to who I was I was making an effort however
I was I was making an effort however
I was I was making an effort however minor to leave more evidence of my
minor to leave more evidence of my
minor to leave more evidence of my personality for people once I was no
personality for people once I was no
personality for people once I was no longer here in this one part of my life
longer here in this one part of my life
longer here in this one part of my life I was going to Zig while everyone else
I was going to Zig while everyone else
I was going to Zig while everyone else was zagging I was going to pursue this
was zagging I was going to pursue this
was zagging I was going to pursue this tedious expensive and difficult to
tedious expensive and difficult to
tedious expensive and difficult to master technique with friends who might
master technique with friends who might
master technique with friends who might think it was odd for me to take up this
think it was odd for me to take up this
think it was odd for me to take up this art form that they might associate their
art form that they might associate their
art form that they might associate their mom’s doing maybe but I was in so deep
mom’s doing maybe but I was in so deep
mom’s doing maybe but I was in so deep I’d simply didn’t care
I’d simply didn’t care
I’d simply didn’t care in that Japanese the old Japanese phrase
in that Japanese the old Japanese phrase
in that Japanese the old Japanese phrase comes to mind about being the tallest
comes to mind about being the tallest
comes to mind about being the tallest nail and that being the first one that
nail and that being the first one that
nail and that being the first one that gets hit and I just hoped I wasn’t going
gets hit and I just hoped I wasn’t going
gets hit and I just hoped I wasn’t going to be that particular nail so now how
to be that particular nail so now how
to be that particular nail so now how did I go from producing pieces like this
did I go from producing pieces like this
did I go from producing pieces like this to producing pieces like this well back
to producing pieces like this well back
to producing pieces like this well back in 2013 we had a very bad pothole season
in 2013 we had a very bad pothole season
in 2013 we had a very bad pothole season here in Chicago our street on the far
here in Chicago our street on the far
here in Chicago our street on the far northwest side of the city was hit
northwest side of the city was hit
northwest side of the city was hit particularly hard kenton Avenue was like
particularly hard kenton Avenue was like
particularly hard kenton Avenue was like a minefield occasionally repaired by the
a minefield occasionally repaired by the
a minefield occasionally repaired by the city these fixes never really seemed to
city these fixes never really seemed to
city these fixes never really seemed to last for very long because in a few
last for very long because in a few
last for very long because in a few months
months
months that same pothole repair crew would be
that same pothole repair crew would be
that same pothole repair crew would be back shovelling hot steaming asphalt
back shovelling hot steaming asphalt
back shovelling hot steaming asphalt into these resilient holes over the
into these resilient holes over the
into these resilient holes over the course of the winter though I noticed
course of the winter though I noticed
course of the winter though I noticed that there was this one pothole in front
that there was this one pothole in front
that there was this one pothole in front of our house that just refused to stay
of our house that just refused to stay
of our house that just refused to stay fixed back at my studio in the basement
fixed back at my studio in the basement
fixed back at my studio in the basement of our house just a couple of dozen
of our house just a couple of dozen
of our house just a couple of dozen yards away from that pothole it dawned
yards away from that pothole it dawned
yards away from that pothole it dawned on me I had this passion for this
on me I had this passion for this
on me I had this passion for this ancient art form that had incredible
ancient art form that had incredible
ancient art form that had incredible staying power so durable and permanent
staying power so durable and permanent
staying power so durable and permanent and also had this problem outside of my
and also had this problem outside of my
and also had this problem outside of my house that just refused to stay fixed so
house that just refused to stay fixed so
house that just refused to stay fixed so why not use this passion of mine to
why not use this passion of mine to
why not use this passion of mine to solve his problem of ours but then the
solve his problem of ours but then the
solve his problem of ours but then the doubts kick in was this really a smart
doubts kick in was this really a smart
doubts kick in was this really a smart idea probably not was it even legal to
idea probably not was it even legal to
idea probably not was it even legal to do no I wasn’t sure at the time I was a
do no I wasn’t sure at the time I was a
do no I wasn’t sure at the time I was a 49 year old dad with twin seven-year-old
49 year old dad with twin seven-year-old
49 year old dad with twin seven-year-old boys and it was just
boys and it was just
boys and it was just too old to be getting arrested for
too old to be getting arrested for
too old to be getting arrested for something as ridiculous as this what
something as ridiculous as this what
something as ridiculous as this what kind of example would that set I imagine
kind of example would that set I imagine
kind of example would that set I imagine my boys having conversations at school
my boys having conversations at school
my boys having conversations at school my dad is a fireman my dad is a doctor
my dad is a fireman my dad is a doctor
my dad is a fireman my dad is a doctor what does your dad do my dad fills
what does your dad do my dad fills
what does your dad do my dad fills potholes with artwork at night
potholes with artwork at night
potholes with artwork at night even my skittish wife like to say she
even my skittish wife like to say she
even my skittish wife like to say she had bail money on the ready ready to go
had bail money on the ready ready to go
had bail money on the ready ready to go in case I got in trouble so then I
in case I got in trouble so then I
in case I got in trouble so then I thought you know what was the worst
thought you know what was the worst
thought you know what was the worst thing that could possibly happened after
thing that could possibly happened after
thing that could possibly happened after weighing the pros and cons I forged
weighing the pros and cons I forged
weighing the pros and cons I forged ahead with Ray my 86 year old next-door
ahead with Ray my 86 year old next-door
ahead with Ray my 86 year old next-door neighbor as my lookout I installed this
neighbor as my lookout I installed this
neighbor as my lookout I installed this when mid May night the design of this
when mid May night the design of this
when mid May night the design of this initial piece was kind of a call to
initial piece was kind of a call to
initial piece was kind of a call to ownership for the community to embrace
ownership for the community to embrace
ownership for the community to embrace the issue we all have to deal with in a
the issue we all have to deal with in a
the issue we all have to deal with in a somewhat ridiculous fashion featuring
somewhat ridiculous fashion featuring
somewhat ridiculous fashion featuring the city’s iconic flag and blaring the
the city’s iconic flag and blaring the
the city’s iconic flag and blaring the obvious pothole this was my attempt to
obvious pothole this was my attempt to
obvious pothole this was my attempt to brand the problem of ours in an
brand the problem of ours in an
brand the problem of ours in an authentic in-your-face
authentic in-your-face
authentic in-your-face Chicago style manner once the artwork
Chicago style manner once the artwork
Chicago style manner once the artwork was installed those doubts crept back in
was installed those doubts crept back in
was installed those doubts crept back in I had just landed a big Commission with
I had just landed a big Commission with
I had just landed a big Commission with the CTA and I was worried about getting
the CTA and I was worried about getting
the CTA and I was worried about getting in trouble perhaps it could even somehow
in trouble perhaps it could even somehow
in trouble perhaps it could even somehow take the job away from me
take the job away from me
take the job away from me so and it certainly didn’t want to draw
so and it certainly didn’t want to draw
so and it certainly didn’t want to draw any attention to my new art installation
any attention to my new art installation
any attention to my new art installation I discourage friends from posting it on
I discourage friends from posting it on
I discourage friends from posting it on social media or calling the news papers
social media or calling the news papers
social media or calling the news papers so it’s sat there for months
so it’s sat there for months
so it’s sat there for months occasionally noticed by neighbors then I
occasionally noticed by neighbors then I
occasionally noticed by neighbors then I installed another one a few blocks away
installed another one a few blocks away
installed another one a few blocks away also under the cover of darkness
also under the cover of darkness
also under the cover of darkness learning valuable lessons along the way
learning valuable lessons along the way
learning valuable lessons along the way such as needing to protect the artwork
such as needing to protect the artwork
such as needing to protect the artwork from as the mortar was drying because
from as the mortar was drying because
from as the mortar was drying because otherwise cars would simply destroy it
otherwise cars would simply destroy it
otherwise cars would simply destroy it as they drove over it trying to solve
as they drove over it trying to solve
as they drove over it trying to solve this problem with my boys soccer cones
this problem with my boys soccer cones
this problem with my boys soccer cones wasn’t a good idea either as they were
wasn’t a good idea either as they were
wasn’t a good idea either as they were just too wispy and would end up getting
just too wispy and would end up getting
just too wispy and would end up getting crushed eventually though my cover was
crushed eventually though my cover was
crushed eventually though my cover was blown by a friend of mine who just
blown by a friend of mine who just
blown by a friend of mine who just wouldn’t listen he decided to take
wouldn’t listen he decided to take
wouldn’t listen he decided to take matters into his own hands and started
matters into his own hands and started
matters into his own hands and started calling local newspaper calling local TV
calling local newspaper calling local TV
calling local newspaper calling local TV stations and newspapers one of these
stations and newspapers one of these
stations and newspapers one of these calls resulted in Fox News Chicago
calls resulted in Fox News Chicago
calls resulted in Fox News Chicago asking me to install a piece during
asking me to install a piece during
asking me to install a piece during three live remotes Oh
three live remotes Oh
three live remotes Oh for one January morning in 2014 in 14
for one January morning in 2014 in 14
for one January morning in 2014 in 14 degree weather it’s funny once I saw the
degree weather it’s funny once I saw the
degree weather it’s funny once I saw the glare of the TV lights I suddenly threw
glare of the TV lights I suddenly threw
glare of the TV lights I suddenly threw away all my concerns about being found
away all my concerns about being found
away all my concerns about being found out instead instead of doing these
out instead instead of doing these
out instead instead of doing these installations in the street at night I
installations in the street at night I
installations in the street at night I started doing them during the day
started doing them during the day
started doing them during the day because people didn’t care what I was
because people didn’t care what I was
because people didn’t care what I was doing they have their own things going
doing they have their own things going
doing they have their own things going on in their lives despite being in the
on in their lives despite being in the
on in their lives despite being in the street at night working on a pothole for
street at night working on a pothole for
street at night working on a pothole for way too long people walk behind without
way too long people walk behind without
way too long people walk behind without questioning anything what’s it begin
questioning anything what’s it begin
questioning anything what’s it begin installing once I began installing
installing once I began installing
installing once I began installing during the day I had the same experience
during the day I had the same experience
during the day I had the same experience nobody cared I had the time of the
nobody cared I had the time of the
nobody cared I had the time of the installations was a direct reflection of
installations was a direct reflection of
installations was a direct reflection of my confidence in this little guerrilla
my confidence in this little guerrilla
my confidence in this little guerrilla art campaign of mine going from hiding
art campaign of mine going from hiding
art campaign of mine going from hiding in the darkness unsure the validity of
in the darkness unsure the validity of
in the darkness unsure the validity of this exercise to almost flaunting it in
this exercise to almost flaunting it in
this exercise to almost flaunting it in broad daylight brimming with confidence
broad daylight brimming with confidence
broad daylight brimming with confidence eventually though people did start to
eventually though people did start to
eventually though people did start to notice what I was doing that the
notice what I was doing that the
notice what I was doing that the campaign started to get a little
campaign started to get a little
campaign started to get a little traction words of encouragement and
traction words of encouragement and
traction words of encouragement and praise were yelled out from people as
praise were yelled out from people as
praise were yelled out from people as they walked by people began to care and
they walked by people began to care and
they walked by people began to care and the campaign’s of the artwork began to
the campaign’s of the artwork began to
the campaign’s of the artwork began to reflect this new dynamic one thing I
reflect this new dynamic one thing I
reflect this new dynamic one thing I love to do with these things is
love to do with these things is
love to do with these things is juxtapose what it called Universal truth
juxtapose what it called Universal truth
juxtapose what it called Universal truth things people love or hate everybody
things people love or hate everybody
things people love or hate everybody loves or everybody should say hates
loves or everybody should say hates
loves or everybody should say hates potholes kind of like cancer you’d be
potholes kind of like cancer you’d be
potholes kind of like cancer you’d be hard-pressed to find someone that likes
hard-pressed to find someone that likes
hard-pressed to find someone that likes them I’ve heard from people all over the
them I’ve heard from people all over the
them I’ve heard from people all over the world after after this campaign caught
world after after this campaign caught
world after after this campaign caught on anyone can relate to it no matter if
on anyone can relate to it no matter if
on anyone can relate to it no matter if you’re rich or poor young or old
you’re rich or poor young or old
you’re rich or poor young or old Canadian or Brazilian in the same way
Canadian or Brazilian in the same way
Canadian or Brazilian in the same way he’d be pretty hard pressed to find
he’d be pretty hard pressed to find
he’d be pretty hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t like flowers or ice
someone that doesn’t like flowers or ice
someone that doesn’t like flowers or ice cream this positive this campaign of
cream this positive this campaign of
cream this positive this campaign of positive icons in a place we at least
positive icons in a place we at least
positive icons in a place we at least expect it is what really caught the
expect it is what really caught the
expect it is what really caught the public’s imagination I like to think of
public’s imagination I like to think of
public’s imagination I like to think of it as putting on a little unexpected
it as putting on a little unexpected
it as putting on a little unexpected grin on a stranger’s face on their
grin on a stranger’s face on their
grin on a stranger’s face on their otherwise typical day folks took
otherwise typical day folks took
otherwise typical day folks took ownership of them as if they were local
ownership of them as if they were local
ownership of them as if they were local landmarks probably saying things like I
landmarks probably saying things like I
landmarks probably saying things like I live right down the street from the ice
live right down the street from the ice
live right down the street from the ice cream sandwich so it was only so not
cream sandwich so it was only so not
cream sandwich so it was only so not only was i imparting my character out
only was i imparting my character out
only was i imparting my character out there in in an atypical more permanent
there in in an atypical more permanent
there in in an atypical more permanent way
way
way were climbing on board and supporting
were climbing on board and supporting
were climbing on board and supporting the idea and because of it the story not
the idea and because of it the story not
the idea and because of it the story not just the piece was getting preserved
just the piece was getting preserved
just the piece was getting preserved through this team effort this attempt at
through this team effort this attempt at
through this team effort this attempt at legacy gain traction in ways that could
legacy gain traction in ways that could
legacy gain traction in ways that could have never dreamt and these communities
have never dreamt and these communities
have never dreamt and these communities communities have only become more
communities have only become more
communities have only become more invested in my quest over time without
invested in my quest over time without
invested in my quest over time without exaggeration 99.9% of the reactions I’ve
exaggeration 99.9% of the reactions I’ve
exaggeration 99.9% of the reactions I’ve received have been positive it’s been a
received have been positive it’s been a
received have been positive it’s been a humbling experience I’ve had coffee and
humbling experience I’ve had coffee and
humbling experience I’ve had coffee and danishes dropped off while I worked on
danishes dropped off while I worked on
danishes dropped off while I worked on cold mornings others have supplied
cold mornings others have supplied
cold mornings others have supplied lemonade and iced water and hot summer
lemonade and iced water and hot summer
lemonade and iced water and hot summer afternoons people want to help and be
afternoons people want to help and be
afternoons people want to help and be part of the experience of beautifying
part of the experience of beautifying
part of the experience of beautifying their Street just a little bit even the
their Street just a little bit even the
their Street just a little bit even the cops stop by it sometimes a couple of
cops stop by it sometimes a couple of
cops stop by it sometimes a couple of years ago I turned to the Kickstarter
years ago I turned to the Kickstarter
years ago I turned to the Kickstarter community to try and help and finance
community to try and help and finance
community to try and help and finance these art installations in 2015 I was
these art installations in 2015 I was
these art installations in 2015 I was looking for a modest three hundred
looking for a modest three hundred
looking for a modest three hundred dollars and I was and I pulled in over
dollars and I was and I pulled in over
dollars and I was and I pulled in over 4,500 last year I asked for a thousand
4,500 last year I asked for a thousand
4,500 last year I asked for a thousand dollars and with help from strangers and
dollars and with help from strangers and
dollars and with help from strangers and friends and family I pulled in over
friends and family I pulled in over
friends and family I pulled in over fifteen thousand so who knows where this
fifteen thousand so who knows where this
fifteen thousand so who knows where this will lead in the future but probably the
will lead in the future but probably the
will lead in the future but probably the epitome of this team effort came from
epitome of this team effort came from
epitome of this team effort came from you vascular Finland in May of 2015 I
you vascular Finland in May of 2015 I
you vascular Finland in May of 2015 I was invited to be the resident street
was invited to be the resident street
was invited to be the resident street artist for their end of winter festival
artist for their end of winter festival
artist for their end of winter festival and I installed six pieces during my
and I installed six pieces during my
and I installed six pieces during my visit there three of them commissioned
visit there three of them commissioned
visit there three of them commissioned by the city’s government and I kid you
by the city’s government and I kid you
by the city’s government and I kid you not they actually dug custom potholes
not they actually dug custom potholes
not they actually dug custom potholes for me they literally asked me for ideal
for me they literally asked me for ideal
for me they literally asked me for ideal specs and what my perfect pothole was
specs and what my perfect pothole was
specs and what my perfect pothole was and then dug them where they saw fit
and then dug them where they saw fit
and then dug them where they saw fit including in front of the town’s Museum
including in front of the town’s Museum
including in front of the town’s Museum about a year later I received an email
about a year later I received an email
about a year later I received an email from the gallery that had invited me out
from the gallery that had invited me out
from the gallery that had invited me out there they wanted to share a story about
there they wanted to share a story about
there they wanted to share a story about one of the pothole installations and how
one of the pothole installations and how
one of the pothole installations and how the community became involved when the
the community became involved when the
the community became involved when the artwork was threatened with destruction
artwork was threatened with destruction
artwork was threatened with destruction apparently a street where one of the
apparently a street where one of the
apparently a street where one of the pieces was located was being repaved and
pieces was located was being repaved and
pieces was located was being repaved and thus the flaw and my permanence and by a
thus the flaw and my permanence and by a
thus the flaw and my permanence and by a concept of permanence became clear the
concept of permanence became clear the
concept of permanence became clear the mosaics can be practically
mosaics can be practically
mosaics can be practically indestructible but the street around it
indestructible but the street around it
indestructible but the street around it not so much so this happens a lot in the
not so much so this happens a lot in the
not so much so this happens a lot in the States all the time actually where most
States all the time actually where most
States all the time actually where most of my work is located
of my work is located
of my work is located whenever the road needs
whenever the road needs
whenever the road needs paving or has damaged my piece part of
paving or has damaged my piece part of
paving or has damaged my piece part of my personality simply goes away never to
my personality simply goes away never to
my personality simply goes away never to be heard or seen from again except in
be heard or seen from again except in
be heard or seen from again except in photographs unless you’re in you
photographs unless you’re in you
photographs unless you’re in you vascular the repaving crew over there
vascular the repaving crew over there
vascular the repaving crew over there actually took pains to extract the
actually took pains to extract the
actually took pains to extract the artwork before doing any work on the
artwork before doing any work on the
artwork before doing any work on the street once the street was repaved they
street once the street was repaved they
street once the street was repaved they dug a fresh hole for the mosaic and
dug a fresh hole for the mosaic and
dug a fresh hole for the mosaic and reinstalled it this whole pothole art
reinstalled it this whole pothole art
reinstalled it this whole pothole art installation project began on a whim I
installation project began on a whim I
installation project began on a whim I didn’t think this is something everyone
didn’t think this is something everyone
didn’t think this is something everyone can relate to and they’ll think it’s so
can relate to and they’ll think it’s so
can relate to and they’ll think it’s so clever rather was something I could
clever rather was something I could
clever rather was something I could relate to rethinking something no one
relate to rethinking something no one
relate to rethinking something no one ever really thought about that sad
ever really thought about that sad
ever really thought about that sad little pothole
little pothole
little pothole outside my house that refused to stay
outside my house that refused to stay
outside my house that refused to stay fixed which sounds a little like a
fixed which sounds a little like a
fixed which sounds a little like a children’s storybook zigging while
children’s storybook zigging while
children’s storybook zigging while everyone else was sagging I thought it
everyone else was sagging I thought it
everyone else was sagging I thought it was kind of funny and unexpected if
was kind of funny and unexpected if
was kind of funny and unexpected if others did great
others did great
others did great but it wasn’t really that wasn’t really
but it wasn’t really that wasn’t really
but it wasn’t really that wasn’t really my plan if I would have worried about
my plan if I would have worried about
my plan if I would have worried about what others thought about the project it
what others thought about the project it
what others thought about the project it might not have ever got off the ground
might not have ever got off the ground
might not have ever got off the ground even if every trace of pato art
even if every trace of pato art
even if every trace of pato art disappears the idea of making your mark
disappears the idea of making your mark
disappears the idea of making your mark in this world can live on in people’s
in this world can live on in people’s
in this world can live on in people’s minds indefinitely the beautiful thing
minds indefinitely the beautiful thing
minds indefinitely the beautiful thing about this whole movement is that it
about this whole movement is that it
about this whole movement is that it wasn’t promoted by me at all
wasn’t promoted by me at all
wasn’t promoted by me at all others did it for me the community and
others did it for me the community and
others did it for me the community and the only reason it was successful has
the only reason it was successful has
the only reason it was successful has staying power and why I’m even in front
staying power and why I’m even in front
staying power and why I’m even in front of you today is that the community got
of you today is that the community got
of you today is that the community got behind the idea it resonated with them
behind the idea it resonated with them
behind the idea it resonated with them not just locally but the worldwide
not just locally but the worldwide
not just locally but the worldwide community as well it took a team effort
community as well it took a team effort
community as well it took a team effort to give the idea life and it’ll take the
to give the idea life and it’ll take the
to give the idea life and it’ll take the community to keep it alive without this
community to keep it alive without this
community to keep it alive without this support there’s an excellent chance the
support there’s an excellent chance the
support there’s an excellent chance the pothole installation project and my shot
pothole installation project and my shot
pothole installation project and my shot at permanence might not have ever
at permanence might not have ever
at permanence might not have ever happened and gone away with little
happened and gone away with little
happened and gone away with little fanfare ultimately though when it comes
fanfare ultimately though when it comes
fanfare ultimately though when it comes to legacy why cliche sometimes you do
to legacy why cliche sometimes you do
to legacy why cliche sometimes you do need to follow your gut people can be
need to follow your gut people can be
need to follow your gut people can be judgmental time is not excuse me time is
judgmental time is not excuse me time is
judgmental time is not excuse me time is not things will work out or they won’t
not things will work out or they won’t
not things will work out or they won’t so how do you want to be remembered no
so how do you want to be remembered no
so how do you want to be remembered no one can start to tell your story better
one can start to tell your story better
one can start to tell your story better than you why stay
than you why stay
than you why stay silent thank you
silent thank you
silent thank you [Applause]
”
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