New Photo Book by Kirk Carter
Signs of Dysfunction is a new book of 74 color photographs of remarkably useless signs. Most of the photos were taken in and near Southwest Virginia in 2008 and 2009. The book was published using Blurb.com
How Meaningless Signs Communicate
Most signs are designed to convey their primary messages quickly and clearly. Only when signs go wrong do we begin to see their secondary, undercurrent messages. Remove the tall lettering, and all the subtext built into the sign (intentionally or not) comes forward.
The photos in this book are about what signs have to say below the surface and between the lines:
The bright colors of a former Dairy Queen sign still speak of fun and appetizing choices.
A bold hoop perched atop a rusty mast immediately signals something to do with cars - wheels or cylinders, perhaps.
Half a "No Parking" sign attached to a listing parking meter invites conflicting interpretations of when, whether and under what conditions parking is ok, an unintentional but clear statement about convoluted parking regulations everywhere.
A misspelled word on a sign-maker's sign tells us all we need to know.
Signs that say nothing can say a great deal. Some unwanted signs get a whitewash, while others merit a severe redaction with black paint - surely a reflection of the owner's frame of mind while moving or closing the business.
New messageless signs convey feelings and attitudes just as readily. Black trash bags neatly obscure a sign made ready earlier than the retail store it promotes. But do the owners really harbor enough resentment to declare it all garbage from the start, rather than add a quick plywood "Coming Soon"? In the midst of the economic downturn, maybe the store really isn't coming soon.
As always, the medium is the message. A tilting, rusted, broken sign for a "LAUNDRYMAT", paired with a frozen clock, tells more about the state of repair and cleanliness of the business than the owner intends. A dictionary seems to have been absent from the sign-making process as well, perhaps another clue about the service.
"Kirk your book is awesome! It really is creative and thought provoking."
-- Katherine Flaherty
Allow your imagination to wander while pondering these subliminal meanings and the further dysfunctions they may imply.
The Digital Retouching Question
No lettering, logos or any other markings on the signs were digitally altered or retouched. The signs looked exactly as they do in the photos at the moment they were photographed. Small enhancements were made to each photo for aesthetic reasons, but the content and context of the signs were never changed.
Where to Buy Signs of Dysfunction
Available at Main Lee Art in Blacksburg, and at the Black Rooster Gallery in Marion, Virginia.
No matter where you live you can always get it from Blurb.com.
Find more interesting photos at KirkCarter.com