From A Black Eye To A Shiner
As I was walking past the southeast corner of Bidwell and Elmwood the other evening I could not help but notice that someone had taken a sander and machined the metallic surface in a random fashion. The result was a brushed aluminum looking junction box. The reason I even noticed the silver box was due to the headlights reflecting off of it as cars were passing by. I can't imagine that The City is going around brushing all of these types of electrical housing units... which means that someone must have used his or her artistic license to create the sculpture-esque piece.
This unusual addition to the corner of Elmwood and Bidwell may be a very small in the eyes of many, but if you think about what these boxes normally look like normally... some are covered with graffiti tags and others are canvassed in old paper flyers. In some cities people are starting to look at these everyday, mundane fixtures in a different light. Some cities have artistically painted lamp standards, or fire hydrants, or garbage cans. Recently we saw the addition of a number of R2D2 mailboxes around town promoting the anniversary of Star Wars. Even Steel Crazy got into the act when they created an artistic ATM machine in Allentown.
When I walk by these types of additions they always make me think about who would do such a thing? Was it a one-timer... maybe an artist who was just experimenting? Whatever the reason, it is cool to see the end-result from the unexpected transformation.
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Comment Options
excop
I like the way that HSBC painted the posts outside of the HSBC Center to look like little British men in top hats and ties. Very cute and somewhat unexpected.
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BuffaloBloviator
Perhaps the cleanup was performed by a convicted graffiti artist as part of his community service sentencing.
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al-alo
now here is an odd question: what are the legal consequences of removing graffiti?
im not trying to be stupid, but will the city/post office/dot/railroad get all worked up if somebody came along and cleaned or painted one of their facilities? it looks like this particular clean up was done mechanically. would that create dust that would effect the equipment inside? would a solvent or a paint have any effect on the electronics? what would be the recommended practice?
can anyone let me know, ive got my eyes on a few sites on hertel.
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davvid
just mind your own business
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al-alo
davvid,
isnt that how buffalo got so many of its problems?
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comptart_lws
Imagine away QE — the work was definitely done by our illustrious Public Works Sign Department. I know because I saw them (truck parked on the sidewalk) for the better part of a day — and I seem to think they came back a second day, too. Gotta wonder if the scuffing is part of a master plan (hahahahahah!) or this is busy-work someone concocted for the department. Honestly, I was surprised to see that members of the Land-of-Oz sign department even leave their shop! (though it was a nice day.) IMHO, that department needs some oversight! This city seems to have a never-ending supply of NEW signs simply for the "newness". There are double street signs (see Porter Ave) and sightseeing signs that make no sense (see Zoo signs on west side that do NOT lead a person to the actual zoo, in No Bflo)… I could go on and I'm sure readers could site many more! Meanwhile, a tourist comes to town and get berated by a parking enforcement officer because they were not parked properly between meters — and there are NO SIGNS or curb-markings at all for what is considered "correct". At least twice a month, I am asked if people are supposed to put money in meters on Saturdays. Where are the signs that clearly define parking rules??? The sign department needs to survey this city like an OUTsider and start cleaning up the sign situation before they start turning electrical boxes into art projects! sheesh!
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davvid
This doesn't need to be a giant metaphor. It is just inappropriate to clean or paint someone elses property without their consent. Mind your own business and lead by example. This may be a very "Old Buffalo" value but it's not a bad value to have.
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al-alo
it sounds like the old value that lead to urban decay to me.
metaphor or not, id bet 80 years ago graffiti wouldnt have lasted a day before a neighbor had cleaned it up. maybe we need more "old old buffalo values" of community and not the 1970's mindset of all just take care of my business.
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MRodgers
One cannot paint over grafitti at someone else's property without their consent - unless it is abandoned. The city cannot paint over grafitti on private property - unless it is abandoned. Rule of thumb - leave other's property alone - unless it is abandoned. As far as city property, unless it is a building with current activity, go for it - this equates to being abandoned.
Or, go into the dark of night, wrapped like a ninja, with paint thinner and cover up paint in hand - make the city look clean at all cost.
One question re: the box - is this box owned by NiMo (Natl Grid)? If so, what is the city sign department doing with property not owned by the city?
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craner_city
Thats is a TS (traffic signal) control box usually taken care of by the streets and engineering/traffic branch of public works or subbed out to S. Buffalo Electric. It was probably stripped by grinder for repaint due to flaking or rust. If someone decided to use their "artistic license" then they must be an idiot because they effectively removed any existing galvanizing or rust resistant undercoat that will keep this from looking like a rusty mess by next Saturday, oh well, it is the rust belt, might as well bring it to Bidwell and Elmwood. It it was streets and engineering it will probably be painted by next week.
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Joshua
I'm sorry - this is a more interesting story that watching the Buffalo Bills game.... Losman needs to be BENCHED!
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al-alo
what are the Bills?
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RaChaCha
Along these lines, a recent signal box art project in RaChaCha is detailed in the article below from our local fishwrapper. Not sure how to post images with these comments, but you can check out the story and pix with the links below.
Please steal this idea!
Project mixes art, history on traffic signal boxes TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/2e5f8p [Open in new window] Or, a preview TinyURL: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2e5f8p [Open in new window]
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georgethomasapfel
In the true spirit of the punishment fitting the crime, Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman proposed to bind offenders in medieval-style stocks and give the public a chance to paint their faces. His initial idea was to cut off their thumbs...of course, that wasn't going to fly but it did get people talking about it. Unfortunately it hasn't solved the problem.
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buffawhat
I fail to see how the terms "sculpture-esque piece" and "artistic license" apply to this. Its a box that's been buffed, the marks are naturally random occurrence from the sander and now there is a shiny box on the corner. There is no artistic uprival.
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zen
There's not a chance that a city agency was motivated by aesthetics. They're probbaly sanding with the intent of repainting, which will take place in 6 to 12 months.
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VonBeeble
Zen, they are repainting them as we speak. I passed Elmwood and Ferry and saw them painting them already. :)
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galaxyjay
Thats amusing...6 to 12 months..or...one day..
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