A Toronto artist is ensuring his community feels protected by revamping neighborhood watch signs. Andrew Lamb is giving them a makeover by adding superheroes like Spiderman, Wonder Woman and the Hulk to existing city street signage.
While the artist is technically vandalizing public property, he doesn't feel his artistic additions are wrong per se "it's just spontaneous nostalgia and happiness." Having only received two complaints for 55 neighborhood watch upgrades, and many requests to add an image to in a particular area, it's likely Lamb's vigilante-inspired vandalism will continue.
Aside from classic superheroes found in comic books, other characters include the cast of the Power Rangers, Starsky and Hutch, Bruce Lee and a young Tom Hanks as seen in Turner & Hooch.
Vigilante-Inspired Vandalism
Andrew Lamb Adds Superheroes to Toronto Neighborhood Watch Signs
Trend Themes
1. Neighborhood Watch Sign Revamp - The trend of revamping neighborhood watch signs with nostalgic pop culture references and superheroes creates an opportunity for local artists and communities to engage in public art and civic engagement.
2. Vandalism as Artistic Expression - The trend of using public property as a canvas for artistic expression, such as adding superheroes to neighborhood watch signs, raises questions about the role of art in public space and the legality of vandalism.
3. Community-based Street Art - The trend of neighborhood watch sign revamps reflects a larger movement towards community-based street art that incorporates public art into everyday life and public spaces, creating opportunities for artists and communities to collaborate and beautify their neighborhoods.
Industry Implications
1. Local Public Art - The neighborhood watch sign revamp trend creates opportunities for local artists and art organizations to engage in public art projects and beautification efforts.
2. Urban Design and Planning - The trend of neighborhood watch sign revamps raises questions about the role of public art in urban design and planning, and how art can be used to create safer and more vibrant communities.
3. Community Engagement and Civic Participation - The neighborhood watch sign revamp trend provides opportunities for communities to engage in civic participation and collaborative art projects that can help strengthen community bonds and improve the livability of neighborhoods.