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Tech

Subvert Advertising with 8-Bit Graffiti

The "Internet artists":http://fffff.at/open-internet-3/, "mixtape geniuses":http://fffff.at/tag/mixtape/, and "high-tech graffiti enthusiasts":http://fffff.at/tag/graffiti/ at F.A.T. Lab have made their name recontextualizing the spaces we take for...

The Internet artists, mixtape geniuses, and high-tech graffiti enthusiasts at F.A.T. Lab have made their name recontextualizing the spaces we take for granted. (Remember when they got death threats for blocking Justin Bieber from the Internet?) Their latest project is typically brilliant in its clever simplicity: By building a holder for nine razor blades, one can create an 8×8 grid out of a glued-on subway poster in just two swipes.

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The device, called ‘subpixel’, is designed from laser-cut plastic (plans are available for free download at the F.A.T. site), and looks pretty easy to use, aside from the obvious dangers of carrying an array of nine razors around. Still, when the subways and public spaces are dominated by production-heavy, overly-Photoshopped marvels of modern glitzy advertising, there’s some real poetic justice in annihilating those intrusive messages with some throwback lo-fi art. Better yet, with swiping a grid such an easy process, new canvasses will be popping up all over the city. Just look for the hanging square that’s your invitation to play.

All images via F.A.T.

Follow Derek Mead on Twitter: @drderekmead.

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