Artists Satirize Ubiquitous Lawn Signs In Maplewood, New Jersey
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Lawn signs have pitted neighbor against neighbor in Maplewood, New Jersey – and some studio owners have decided to lampoon them with an art project.
As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported, some in the town said lawn signs – the kind that urge people to vote for candidates, congratulate a graduate, or drive responsibly -- have gone wild and are popping up like weeds.
"On every house, they have them now on some of the streets," said David Saxl of Maplewood. "It's an eyesore. There's just too much of it."
Indeed, some said the sign placement trend has gone way too far.
"It can be a little tedious sometimes," said Alinda Franks of Maplewood.
So Marcy Thompson and Jenny Turner Hall have decided to lampoon the lawn sign trend with an art project. They are the founders of Studio B, a nonprofit group to support homegrown Maplewood artists.
They are behind two new unusual signs now in front of dozens of homes. One side says "LAWN," the other sign "SIGN."
It started as a joke for a town that Thompson said has an "obsession" with lawn signs.
"A good joke that's meant to talk about why the arts are important," Thompson said.
"It's kind of a modern art statement," Hall said. "Art is a conversation, and we like being mischievous and provocative."
The organizers said there is a sign of things to come, so to speak. There will be a second element to their art project with a secret slogan they have been working on.
"We'll keep the campaign going," Hall said.
And thus, more signs – albeit more signs that satirize the trend – will be coming to a town where many people like having their opinions out in the open.
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