Found Objects
10.27.08
Bangalore Bounty
From my one of my favorite interns:What can be seen through a crowd of millions in a rapidly developing city in India? Really cool design! When my sister asked me to move to Bangalore, India for six months to work on the graphic design end of branding a few of her businesses, I jumped at the chance. Though stressful at times, working here has been a rewarding experience. Business is definitely handled in a different way and design seems to be divided into two worlds. One world is hand-made while the other is digitally produced.
By far I prefer the hand-made, low-tech works that I see in Bangalore. For example, there are hand-painted signs for every hole-in-the-wall shop - sometimes three or four just for one business. These unique signs usually include English and Kannada names, images relating to the business and written lists of what is offered. I find these signs aesthetically refreshing in contrast to the mass-produced signage that dominates America. Furthermore, I am intrigued by how prevalent this form of communication exists in the Silicon Valley of India. There are a couple of aspects that encourage this practice. A local friend said that the merchants stick to this traditional form of signage because they are not concerned with expanding or aware of the term, 'target market.' They are more interested in attracting local customers through self-expression and gaining their loyalty for generations to come. Now, it is a matter of maintaining a freshly painted sign that communicates, "Keys Copied Here."
On my lunch break when I walk down the street, I see a man standing in front of a Food World chain grocery store with a hand crafted and painted ice cream cart. And I think to myself it is amazing how this extremely deliberate and raw form of communication can co-exist in the glossy 21st century.
By Kayleigh Ryley
Life Sucks Die, the old graffiti mag by the guys over at Burlesque, did a feature on Indian pasting and movie posters awhile back and I almost forgot about it. Those wheat pastes you posted are awesome! Do you have more shots up online anywhere?
This is awesome... I want more! I actually went to India in 1999 and regret not taking more pictures of the signage, so I really appreciate this post. Makes me want to go back soon.
I'm going to get Kayleigh to send me some more. They're fantastic, so I'll post them in the coming weeks. She'll be thrilled that you love them. -Gail
I absolutely love the Xerox Enlargement/Reduction sign. Amazing. Kayleigh should definitely think about putting together a little book at the end of her visit. I know all the kids are into flickr these days but it just isn't the same!
YES -- "Enlargement" and "Reduction" pretty much take the cake (that dog is cute, though). And yeah, I would love to see a gallery of this signage.
I would love to see more of those wheat pastes.
Hey Mike, Life Sucks Die was my favorite mag back in the day... I wish they still made it : (
These signs are absolutely amazing. The detail and precision of the hand-drawn typography in the 'blue' BOMBAY sign is superb. And the XEROX sign is so clever. Real Cool! Nice finds Kayleigh! Looking forward to seeing some more!
Kay and I are tracking down the producers of the wheat paste posters for the local B movie film industry... I must have a copy of the excellent one done for the Hulk!
Kayleigh--If you're reading this, keep taking pictures and do a book at the end of your journey. We're all envious of you out there in the world while we type out e-mails at our desks. Go for it!
Great stuff, Kayleigh! TAKE MORE PICS!
It makes me think of some of the amazing hand-painted signs in MY neighborhood: http://flickr.com/photos/wadegriffith/2722851679/
Nice post, Kayleigh! Even though I've lived here all my life and have come across signage like these, it's always a pleasure to see a different perspective! The Xerox sign is a clever one! I think you should take Gail's advice and do a photo book of your trip here. I know you have lots of nice pictures that you could share.
Yes, definately make a book, with more insigntful comments like the "target market" one ...
Great job Kayleigh.
I hope that you will make a book about this great experience that you are going through. I have to agree that the Zerox one is clever.
Keep up the good work and the picture taking.
The first picture after the byline is my favorite.
And I love Kayleigh Ryley.
Hi
I am on old friend of Gail's from The Boston Globe and she alerted me about this.
Just back from a trip to Costa Rica where I took lots of photos of really cool hand lettered signs. We are too caught up in kerning!!!
Great work Kay!
I love you too. (Is it mandatory to say that in here?)
The first sign usually reads "BEWAR OF DOG". You were quite lucky you found a homeowner who doesn't chew up his vowels. Being Indian and a Bangalorean at that, I find myself quite amused as to the things you find interesting. Next, I'm sure, you will be photographing cows on the road!
But I do understand the raw attraction you have for these signs. It's a fairly lovable and friendly sort of chaos. It serves it's purpose, and the 'art' is entirely incidental. Isn't that true of the best forms of communication?
Best of luck finding more of these. I'll keep a lookout as well. Ciao.
How does that lo-fi signage play into the hi-fi? Does it flow into the neon glow of high cost ads, or do they try to steer clear of this 'common' sign? The Xerox sign reminds me of Mexico.
Thanks all for your comments !
I know I have to make a book everywhere I go is a photograph so the filtering process will be very interesting. I have been posting a lot of my pictures to my facebook account its easier to reach all my friends and family that way. So please add me Mike !
Tom- Where in India did you stay? Any suggestions for me as to places to go and see?
Searching for the people who produce the wheat pastes... and once I find them I'm going to grab some so if anyone would like a copy please let me know.
Jeff I loved that pic, makes me miss my dog haha.
Will continue to post more- I recently snapped a few in a market I hadn't been to yet so those will be going up soon. ...
Really nice post.... But for you shut-ins you can rent "The Darjeeling Limited" from Netflix.
I hope that the future of American publishing isn't wheat paste. But I guess we'll know better after Nov. 4th.
These pictures that you have here are quite entertaining. I'm waiting for a portfolio on these now.
J.Bhaskar
Hey Kayleigh,
Great to see the pics of the signages. If you are in India you should definately visit the city of Chennai, i am sure you'll be blown away by the signs, posters, adverts.(mostly comprises of political figures). I have never seen so many Kitsch signs together in any city across India.
These sinages & posters are a key to communication in modern India. The Bling, attractive colours makes it picture perfect & sometimes hilarious too.
I have some awesome pictures of signages which i love to share with you guys.
I'll try post them soon.
cheers.
I have been trying to get over to Chennai. Everyone here is telling me the time to travel around India is December/Jan so hopefully I get to stop there. Thanks for the heads up, I am really looking forward to it now. Yes I do laugh often at the bling posters... and the way they decorate the posters of Bollywood stars. Please POST POST POST yours Anjan!
Wow!!!
It takes an outsider's perspective to notice the obvious sometimes. Thanks for that Kayleigh.
It amuses me to think about this cycle of art. In the earlier days this art form was used and exploited because machines were expensive. Today a PC + a little clipart + a vinyl sticker is cheaper than paying an artist. Art's become unaffordable now. I hope we (the design community here) can look around and use these artists. May be not for volumes, but for special projects.
True street artists, and sign painters are now migrating to more lucrative options like making replicas of paintings. I hope the art survives, and does not morph into just DIY (Beware of Dog).
Here's thanking Kayleigh again and wishing all the best to pure artists.
Cheers!
Ankit