Several years ago I was greatly inspired by Lacan’s psychoanalytic reading (and Derrida and others’ subsequent critiques) of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Purloined Letter.” In the story, a letter is hidden in full sight on the mantle while the police turn the house inside out looking for it. My experiments have shown that this is also the best way to do graffiti— right out in full view of everyone during rush hour.  I dress in business casual, like I just got off work.  I sport a wig in the latest generic woman’s hair style—lately it’s been the Rhianna pompadour—jet black and very chic.  It’s amazing how the right pair of shoes will make the world get out of your way and let you do whatever you want.  More specifically I mean expensive Italian ones that I can run like hell in without making any noise. Tod’s are always a good choice. They match my laptop bag filled with spray cans.  The stencils are tucked in the fake fur-lined front pouch.

I work methodically—at a steady pace that’s neither too fast nor too slow.  My earbuds are in but my iPod is off and my glasses are on as I focus on positioning the stencil upon the wall I’m going to spray upon.  It’s at this point that I often attract a few onlookers.  Sometimes they ask me what I’m doing and I answer “PR”.