DB: Identity
Last spring I had the wonderful honor of creating some banners that hung over the streets of Tacoma. I chose to write a poem about the Farmers Market and worked with Glen Weiman from Rusty George on the graphics. (Exit133 covered the story, you can read it here and here.) Due to the brilliance of the universe and patterns of mathematics unknown to man, I have been asked to submit another proposal to the B.I.A. and the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate another round of creative beautification for our ever blooming downtown.
Perhaps you have noticed, or perhaps (like me) you have tuned them out, but in my humble opinion, most of the banners that now hang have nothing to do with any part of Tacoma culture. 
With the exception of the Theater District, none of these banners were even created by people who live or work or have any care or investment in downtown. My personal favorite is the purple man in a panama hat holding a coke can to his ear and shouting “BUY SELL $$$!” while around him swirl the grids and jaggy red lines of stock exchange heaven. 
Not even the most elite Russell employee wants to be represented this way. No wonder they are having a hard time deciding to stay.
People are looking for an identity to attribute to downtown. We are wireless, yes, and we have a deathstar of a port, yes, but how do you illustrate the heart of Tacoma? What is the strength of our culture? What assets outside of the commercial does downtown have to offer?
Last time I chose the Farmers Market because to me it was the largest gathering place for the people of downtown. Supporting health and commerce, and connecting us to the very land around us, I see the market as an incredible connection point for the humanity that possesses this place.
As I begin the creative process for a new look, I wanted to ask you, dear reader, what you feel the potential of these 5 foot strips of canvas is for making our city that much more attractive. What things do you appreciate about where we live? What kind of art do you want me to hang in our collective living room? How do you wish to be represented?
I find this project to be particularly thrilling because I feel adornment is the beginning of adoration. People respond to beauty, classically banners have been used to call people to love and take pride in the places they live and work. I see these banners as symbols of the world we want to continue to create for us to have our being.
I am once again grateful and honored to be asked to participate in the beautification of the city I love.
P.S. No one wins a t-shirt (see last week’s post)
Filed under: DB
24 comments
R RR Anderson February 5, 2008
where is Art Chantry / Beautiful Angel when you really need them?
M Mofo from the Hood February 5, 2008
Mr. Blue:
I give you T-Shirt inspiration and you toss it aside like a used Kleenex.
T Tressie February 6, 2008
Daniel is up to the challenge ! What makes Tacoma Tacoma? Start with listening to REM’s Shiny Happy People and move into I’m Too Sexy….If that doesn’t give you the proper Tacomaness…check your pulse.
S Sassy McButterpants February 6, 2008
Monsieur Bleu,
I have thought long and hard about this. This is difficult homework. Here are my words:
Hilly
Cool
Jaded/Friendly
Plucky
OMG. That describes me too. Creepy.
H holden February 6, 2008
Historic buildings. Cobblestone roads. Funky back alleys. Unimaginable views of the Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier. The 11th Street Bridge stairs leading down to Dock Street for free parking. UWT and stairs leading up to The Swiss. Trolley riding the turn of the century route. Chihuly.
M Mofo from the Hood February 6, 2008
Mr. Blue:
Each banner could show a different face shot of an average Tacoman.
Every banner has the word “Hello.”
Those two elements would be the largest.
P Paul February 7, 2008
Tacoma’s most striking feature is its tightly-packed, diverse population – we have all sorts of amazing people who remain folk – in the Germanic sense – common people, as opposed to differentiated social or cultural categories. Anybody can create trite, clip art abstractions that speak to urban themes or point to structures or features we’re all proud of. When people ask me what I’m proud of in Tacoma, I say I’m proud of all the strange, inspiring, dedicated people that live here, and how blessedly real and human most of them are. I can’t remember the last time I saw a piece of public art that shamelessly, simply and respectfully celebrated common folk. I think you could do it beautifully, Daniel.
G grubedoo February 8, 2008
Each banner should prominently display the corporate icon of a fast food establishment. It would be beautiful to see the golden arches, an animated cactus or a little girl with cherry-red locks as I strolled Tacoma’s streets. Maybe there could be arrows on them too directing me to the nearest location because I’m sure I’d get hungry.
M Mofo from the Hood February 8, 2008
Well we could go post-corporate.
Each banner could display a montage of 10,000 digital photos.
Then overlay a transparent image of the photographer.
Then overlay a tall boldface sans serif headline like “MySpace is your space.”
N NSHDscott February 8, 2008
People, your sarcasm is on a rampage! Sheesh.
I’m relieved these flag-things are being changed, they are embarrassingly horrid. Sounds like that’s the consensus opinion.
What I don’t want to see are more clip-art collages, and I don’t want to see people’s faces (sorry Mofo), and I don’t want to see straightforward photos of things we can see with our own eyes.
What I would like to see would be something more artsy and funky, maybe:
• Photos of details around town, like part of the grid of the MM Bridge, a few diamonds on the T-Dome, some brick and detail on Old City Hall, or a chunk of the “water” in the soon-to-be-installed Dipper sculpture (I’d be happy to take on a photo project along these lines)
• Sketches of Tacoma icons, the older the better
• Abstracts based on the themes of each downtown district (theater, financial, museum, etc.) with the stipulation that they must be created by hand with traditional artist’s tools, not on a computer
• Something along the lines of Beatiful Angle’s prints
If they have to include words, keep the font simple and classy and the words to a minimum. Perhaps just set aside 12” at the bottom of each flag for the name of the district and use the same font on all of them to keep some consistancy.
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 9, 2008
If you are in search of an identity it probably is because you don’t have one to begin with. If you need a label you are only worthy of a label. If you have to remind people who you are then they will never know you at all.
S Sassy McButterpants February 9, 2008
Oh my gosh. Crenshaw, that is totally what my therapist says to me like every week.
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 9, 2008
My therapist is still trying to convince me that 50 minutes is an hour.
M Mofo from the Hood February 10, 2008
Paul @7: “Anybody can create trite, clip art abstractions that speak to urban themes…I can’t remember the last time I saw a piece of public art that shamelessly, simply and respectfully celebrated common folk.”
I think I see where you’re goin’ with this Paul. We need to take this project into a new dimension—-the third dimension.
I propose that we remove all the flat two dimensional banners. What will remain is the lightpost metal brackets which can be reused. They may, however, need to be reinforced, and then an adjacent hortizontal metal platform will be welded to the poles. Upon each platform will sit a clear plexiglass cylinder, large enough to hold a standing adult. But here’s the kicker—-each cylinder will have inside a real live adult, but they won’t be standing.
Ready?
(Thanks to inspiration from NHSDscott @10:
• Sketches of Tacoma icons, the older the better)
Each cylinder will display a real live shameless Tacoma Go-Go Girl from the 1960’S!
Says Paul @7:
“I can’t remember the last time I saw a piece of public art that shamelessly, simply and respectfully celebrated common folk.”
Well Paul, I can’t help you with your memory but I can help you and fellow Tacomans develop shameless public art.
Your friend,
MFTH
S Sassy McButterpants February 10, 2008
I want to be a Tacoma Gogo Girl Shadowbox Diaorama Art Dancer!!!
Mofo, that is the awesomest.
D Droid16 February 10, 2008
DesideraTacoma
Go grittily amid the downtown streets, and remember what great food there may be in the restaurants along Pacific.
As far as possible without good parking be on good terms with all commuters and pedestrians.
Speak of Tacoma loudly and clearly;
yet listen to those outside this fair city, even the dull and the Seattlelite; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive banners,
they are vexations to the spirit of downtown. If you compare these sections of downtown with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser neighborhoods than your own.
Express your businesses and architecture as well as your arts.
Be yourself, Tacoma.
Especially, do not feign timidity.
Neither be cynical about the cities past; for in the face of all Museums and condominiums it is as historic as the railroad.
You are a citizen of Exit133,
no less than the bloggers and their commentary; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not our direction is clear to you, no doubt Tacoma is emerging as it should.
Therefore be an active denizen of downtown, South Puget Sound and Pierce County whatever you conceive them to be, and whatever your artistic bent or occupation, in the noisy confusion of the variety of opinions that shout with pride, keep peace with your soul.
With all its traffic, construction, and disagreements over growth,
it is still a beautiful city.
Be gritty.
Strive to be Tacoma.
Profuse apologies to Max Ehrmann
www.desiderata.com
C Christy February 11, 2008
Spring is on it’s way and it makes me think about The Daffodil Parade. I’d like to see the happy yellow flowers show up on the banners and maybe even breath some new life into our small-town parade.
R RR Anderson February 12, 2008
god damn it. I’ve been having a daffodil parade for the past five hours on my toilet. I’ve been trying to draw a cartoon in between horrid bouts of intestinal discomfort… last week the same thing was happening at the other end of my digestive tract.
In the raven/trickster mythos I would be named “Mouths at Both Ends”
Even so. The whole experience reminds me of what happens in my brain when people talk about things like “branding” and “Identity”
Jesus… help your afflicted son.
C Christy February 12, 2008
Try and drink plenty of fluids and maybe popsicles would help, to eat that is.
C CJ February 13, 2008
Why not allow the downtown businesses or projects to purchase a placement and have a real designer create something representative to them. Make a buck, spend a buck. You have to remember the reader is at a distance and anyone who has been raised in Tacoma has seen daffodils all their life. Give us a break and recognize what we do have.
S Sepulveda Crenshaw February 13, 2008
@ RR
Try not to think about things you don’t understand, like branding and identity, then your brain won’t be so afflicted.
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 13, 2008
When you want Sepulveda make sure you get the real Sepulveda. Crenshaw Sepulveda, the brand that mothers have trusted the most for over 100 years.
Accept no substitutes, if it doesn’t say Crenshaw Sepulveda on the label then you aren’t getting the genuine article. Crenshaw Seplveda, recommended by doctors and Hollywood movie stars.
Crenshaw Sepulveda©
D Daniel Blue February 13, 2008
cj@20
what is a “real designer”?
the bia collects money from downtown businesses and spends that money on projects like hiring a “designer” to create banners.
Im pretty sure im not going to go with daffodils. sorry christy.
G grubedoo February 13, 2008
What if there was a way to bring the community into the artistic process? Maybe have a homeless person “design” a banner comp, a tagger, a local business owner, a politician, a homemaker, a special ed student, etc. Then place the art they’ve made on the banners making sure that the series is coherent. This might uniquely represent Tacoma (or fail miserably). Just an idea.
cj@20
“real designer?” Dude, chill.