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“Signs of the Times” was conceived in direct
response to the location and function of the traffic utility boxes, and uses the
pedestrian stick figure in order to present a series of poetic vignettes. This
site specific project utilizes a context familiar to the viewer, in order to
present situations that are funny, accessible and engaging. Each artwork aims to
be read as a sign, which asks one to reflect on some of the issues surrounding
the nature of our lives as human beings.

The designs for each of the
seventeen boxes were developed in collaboration with eight students from
Emeryville High School, (Taruna Aggarwal, Brittany Drummer, Alonzo Gomez, Lisa
Kuma, Sanjeshni Lata, Kevin Lazo, Jose Martinez and Ashlee Sentman) over a
period of two months.

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“I met with ten high school students over the
course of ten weeks to explore this concept; encouraging them to create their
own “portrait of self” utilizing the various tools and techniques of
photography. Starting with pin-hole cameras and then using 35mm, the
participants engaged in a process of insightful play. Afterwards, they digitally
manipulated and constructed their images; layering them with meanings, moods and
emotions. The participants studied the unique characteristics of the site and
set out to use the medium of large format prints, to create pieces that at first
glance referred to the advertising images that are displayed in similar “store”
contexts. However, these images would, on closer examination, reveal greater
depth and complexity.”

You can see more of Seyed’s projects href="http://here2day.netwiz.net/seyedsite/publicart/publicartframe.html">here

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