Artist Army of One Spearheads Lock Tribute on Mott Street Fence
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The key to these locks is art…
For the last six months or so, firefighter-turned-street-artist Jef Campion has slowly created a new project on Mott Street. Check out the chain-link fence beside Gimme Coffee at number 228, and you’ll notice an array of padlocks that collectively create various message. The first grouping to arrive here was Campion’s ubiquitous Army of One tag, spelled using locks. There is also a memorial to victims of the Newtown massacre, as well as random additions etched with personal notes.
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According to Campion, the fence is a “budding outdoor street art project” inspired by similar traditions in European cities like Florence and Paris. It’s customary for newlyweds in these locales to engrave locks and affix to bridges and other street furniture as part of the wedding vow. They’re called “love locks,” symbolizing unbreakable love.
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Army of One is best known for his pasters of Diane Arbus’ classic “Grenade Boy” image.
All this talk about locks, what about this?
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