To speak of modern things in an ancient voice
June 17, 2018 7:02 PM   Subscribe

"I watched these pothole crews going up and down my street, and there was a defiant pothole in front of my house that was just staying, that wasn't being fixed. I thought I should fill it in." That was mosaic artist Jim Bachor in 2014, when his 87-year-old neighbor stood lookout as Bachor turned an eyesore into eye candy. Just look at what the pothole vigilante has been up to since then.

From the artist's statement: "Trying to leave your mark in this world fascinates me. Ancient history fascinates me. Volunteering to work on an archaeological dig in Pompeii helped merge these two interests into my art...Using the same materials, tools and methods of the archaic craftsmen, I create mosaics that speak of modern things in an ancient voice."

From 2016, Chicago magazine: The Pothole Art Vigilante Has Returned, This Time With Garbage Mosaics

The majority of Bachor's installations are in Chicago (see this handy map), but he has also left his mark in Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Nashville, Finland, and Italy.

Want more? Here's a short video (YT; seems to want to autoplay, so be aware) of the artist talking about his project and its genesis (2015), and his Instagram. What is broken can also be beautiful.
posted by MonkeyToes (15 comments total) 51 users marked this as a favorite
 
These are great! I live somewhere that was in the running for a "city with worst potholes" award, and I'd love to have someone do something like this.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:07 PM on June 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


A little more elegant a solution than this one...

Lovely post, thank you. I especially adore the trash series; it's amazing how well he can evoke crumpled bags and cans in a mosaic. Those are pretty complex forms, so it's really impressive how he can show it so clearly.
posted by brook horse at 7:23 PM on June 17, 2018 [5 favorites]


These are really good.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:48 PM on June 17, 2018


I adore ancient mosaics and I adore these. I might need one of his pins or patches too.
posted by PussKillian at 7:55 PM on June 17, 2018


I've contemplated a less artistic DIY pothole fix on an abandoned piece of asphalt that but for a dozen or so gnarly checks would be a great surface. I've always been concerned that its high traffic and next to a college with its own police force :/ Some good soul put maybe a cup and a half of fill into a sidewalk crack a little up the trail: some OG laid down a set of nobby tracks when it was fresh as a signpost. Hitting it feels like you're in a video game and always makes me thank that kind soul for the easy line.

Somehow putting tile into the mix makes the potential entanglements with authority both more amusing and worth it.

Anybody know what sorts of crime I'd be committing by doing this?
posted by Ogre Lawless at 8:14 PM on June 17, 2018 [2 favorites]


This sort of reminds me of Toynbee tiles.
posted by fremen at 8:27 PM on June 17, 2018 [11 favorites]


These are amazing. Art + community service. What a joy! Thanks for the uplifting post.
posted by greermahoney at 10:08 PM on June 17, 2018 [3 favorites]


This is just a reminder that any anarchist movement must ultimately create art. Or at the very least, leave the stamp of the worker’s humanity.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:10 PM on June 17, 2018 [4 favorites]


It just makes me smile, I'm over here shaking my head and smiling. Human beings can be so great. It's easy to forget when there are so many who seem determined to do all the harm they can, but then there are people such as this who make it worthwhile.
posted by dancestoblue at 10:58 PM on June 17, 2018 [3 favorites]


The "Fanciest Pothole" series is amazing!
posted by Mouse Army at 4:33 AM on June 18, 2018 [2 favorites]


Inner conflict because the art is amazing but I think the municiple government should be filling the potholes.
posted by subdee at 5:25 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


It's easy to forget when there are so many who seem determined to do all the harm they can

Assholes yelling and flinging their poop get most of the press.
posted by Celsius1414 at 5:38 AM on June 18, 2018


Glorious. This is a good person, making good art.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:50 AM on June 18, 2018


This is great! Thankfully we don't have many potholes near my flat (mostly because they're constantly tearing up the roads for roadworks dammit) but seeing those near me would brighten my day every day. Best kind of street art.
posted by stillnocturnal at 7:44 AM on June 18, 2018


Great example of "brightening the corner where you are."
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:37 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


« Older Get them while they're hot   |   Go cross-eyed. Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments