You must have a pretty good idea by now how much I love a good ol’ quote, no? I use almost any opportunity to lace my posts with “words of wisdom”, I clip and collect them all over the place, I have an entire album dedicated to them over on Facebook etc. There is something really special about compelling words, particularly when they are placed in the right context, at the right time. This is when I find quotes to be incredibly potent – they move me, inspire me, sometimes confuse me and make me feel sad. At other times they fuel me with energy. Or they simply make me laugh. And I love that.

Now, why do I tell you all this? Because it’s TOTALLY related to today’s post. Like, duh!



Enter Robert Montgomery. Robert is an artist based in London who’s work spans large typographic billboards, recycled sunlight pieces and drawings. His website says that he “works in a poetic and melancholic post-situationist tradition”. Deep, I know. But I do tend to agree.

Robert has carried out of his WORDS IN THE CITY AT NIGHT project since 2005, where he hijacks advertising spaces in cities, often illegally. His texts are “part poetry, part an enquiry into our collective unconscious”. They are intended for general public and passers-by who are not aware of the billboards being art, in his attempt to describe in public space what it feels like to live in the world today.



In 2008, Robert has made sculptures that use recycled sunlight such as “The People You Love…” and “Whenever You See The Sun…” billboards (shown at the top of this post). These sculptures hold the sunlight of the day in solar cells and recycle it at night. Truly divine.

As far as the quotes go, I find the ones below particularly haunting. I’m not really even sure why…


[Images courtesy of Robert Montgomery.]

Note that some image were cropped for this post. Why? Because I am mildly anal-retentive and obsessive compulsive…



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

8 Responses

  4. Lauren

    Friggin love these!

    ps. I hope you’ve had a great first week of doing your own thing, no more chats about the weather at the coffee machine!

    Reply
  6. Linda from OEKE

    well my dear quote loving friend, I found this one the other day and thought you might like ..

    “Everyone has photographic memory; some just don’t have the film”

    Probably wouldn’t work 10 storeys up a building in neon, but works just as good in my little mind.

    have a great weekend (-:

    Reply
  8. sarah

    These are fantastic. I am up late working and procrastinating – have miss usa on in the background (I know – shameful – it is in another room though)…anyway it’s being filmed in Las Vegas and they flashed up an image of that iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. Then I came on here a moment later and read The Slow Disappearance of Meaning and Truth using the same design – boy oh boy – how true is that! Serendipity. I’m turning the tv off! Or at least that program. Thanks dana you always find great stuff!

    Reply

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