Browse Exhibits (2 total)
Bumper Stickers: Categorized and Analyzed
Bumper stickers are a form of public art that an indivdual chooses to display for one reason or another. Bumper stickers can serve many purposes: to pursuade, to make someone laugh, for aesthetics, or to reference pop culture and display something an indivudual likes. Many stickers can cross into multiple of these categories. Stickers can have layers to their reference or humor in suprising ways, which we will examine through this exhibit. But many stickers have an overarching intent that can allow for categorization. This exhibit is broken down into four categories of stickers: humor, pop culture, pursuasion, and aesthetics. Each gallary page features an analysis of what the sticker type says about the driver and about the viewer.
This exhibit features images compiled from December 2022- March 2023.
Traveling Words: Writing on Vehicles
They are what we all see as we take to the roads: bumper stickers. While these decorative ornaments for vehicles tend to be seen as tacky, are more than often overlooked, and even go unnoticed, they reveal personal information in an interesting way. These seemingly small tidbits of information give insight as to who the driver or owner of a vehicle is, revealing their interests, likes and dislikes, personality traits, family history, political standings, education, and much more. Whether it is a bumper sticker, car decal, window paint, or another type of vehicular tattoo, these forms of everyday writing reveal information that would otherwise be unknown by those in passing vehicles. It's quite common to feel uncomfortable sharing personal information, especially upon initial introductions, however, writing on vehicles provides us with first impressions that otherwise never would have been had. Beyond this, writing on vehicles functions as a form of expression for humankind without even being acknowledged as such. While these writings can go ignored, there is beauty in their simplicity. Writing on vehicles allows for self-expression that follows drivers wherever they travel, functioning as a platform to share personal information and establish social connections with strangers in an unconventional way.