Adopt a Street Sign (ASS) Project

Street signs, 2013. (Photo by Philippe Glade)
Street signs, 2013. (Photo by Philippe Glade)

Sometimes, when the citizens of Black Rock City are confronted with a challenge, they turn it into an art project. This, ladies and gentlemen, is one of those times.

The street signs that adorn every corner of BRC are not only beautiful, they’re functional. Not only are they functional, they are critical to public safety. When that ambulance is looking to find YOU, they need to know what street they’re on. SO DON’T REMOVE STREET SIGNS!

Now, despite what we say, we know it’ll happen anyway. So let’s solve this with an art project! Here’s how …

Adopt a street corner in your neighborhood, and add new, aesthetically pleasing, informative street signs of your own making! (Please don’t put stuff on the existing sign-posts, though.)

We’re calling this the Adopt a Street Sign (ASS) project, because we’re 12-years old.

Radical Self-Expression, meet Communal Effort. BOOM. Make babies.

Lastly, Leave No Trace! Make sure to MOOP the street corners at the end of the event!!

About the author: Will Chase

Will Chase

Will Chase is Burning Man's former Minister of Propaganda, working on global communications strategy. He was the editor-in-chief for the Jackrabbit Speaks newsletter and the Burning Man Journal, and content manager for Burning Man’s web properties. He also oversaw the ePlaya BBS and Burning Man’s social media presence. Will first attended Burning Man in 2001. He volunteered as the Operations Manager for the ARTery (Black Rock City’s art HQ) and was on the Burning Man Art Council from 2003-2008. He was Web Team Project Manager and Webmaster from 2004 until he transitioned to the Communications Department in 2009.

8 Comments on “Adopt a Street Sign (ASS) Project

  • Amir says:

    ASS project!!!!!! Love it.

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  • Karina says:

    Love it. Best post ever!! )'(

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  • perils says:

    I always live on K Street. I’ve already thought of Kan-do-whore, Khaaaaaan!, Kamel, and Kardansian.

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  • Bill says:

    It really sucks when you’re out there after Thursday and all the signs are gone. Makes you feel like it must have been at Burning Man before the streets were laid out (Circa 1997), when many thousands of burners died because they didn’t know where they were on the playa. So sad for them. RIP, sweet angels. God called you up to be with Him.

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  • Lucas says:

    I wonder if it might actually work better if they weren’t so damn nice? Would people still be as likely to take them if it was just a really simple “H and 5.30” sign?

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  • Donna says:

    In the past, I have always taken a picture of “my” street sign, therefore leaving it for everyone else.

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  • BadKitty says:

    What sign material & pole securing material works best? I’m sure some of you have had experience doing this before. My thoughts are thick cardboard with holes for zip ties to secure it. Thoughts? Better recommendations?

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  • Mousefish says:

    In years past, we have made a little sign to let our friends know where we are located. We won’t know this in advance because we are in open camping. If I’m not supposed to put anything on the signs then how will the rear of our crew find us?

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