Thank you for your comment—and for reading the post. Thanks as well for the links to the sites. I certainly appreciate your work and perspective.

I must, however, raise a few issues with your comment. Regarding your directive to “do your research,” I take a bit of umbrage. Again, I appreciate and respect your creativity and work using the medium of street signs. I never indicated in my feature story that the “redeSIGN Art Project” was a wholly “new,” never-attempted-before project. Though it was that for many in Savannah, or at least the participating artists and attendees that I had the great pleasure of interviewing. I was merely reporting on an inspiring and enjoyable local art exhibition. I also feel your statement that “you are infringing on existing ideas” falls within the realm of an illogical argument. First, “infringing” is a loaded word, one which can be interpreted in many ways. And who the “you” is that you refer to remains unclear. But it’s difficult to claim that any of the organizers, participating artists, or myself “infringed” on anything. Artists of every stripe and every genre are influenced and inspired by those who come before, directly and indirectly, knowingly and unknowingly. Creative inspiration and the cooperative spirit of artist community at large both served as impetuses for me starting this blog. It seems to me that if one of your motivations for transforming discarded street signs into art was to contribute to the green movement, you would be thrilled to see other artists taking such initiative themselves.

While the type of “respect” you request is vague, the mention of “research” suggests that you believe I should have mentioned you or your friend in the piece. If my inference is correct, I respectfully disagree. For example, if I write about a painter of female portraits, should I mention the artists who have in the past or currently paint female portraits, whether or not the painter was influenced or inspired by any of them. I don’t think that’s necessary. Or, if I write a review of Bob Dylan’s latest album, should I mention all the folk singer/songwriters and rock musicians that shaped and influenced his style at some point. I don’t think that’s necessary. Better yet, more suited to our discussion, when I write about a painter who uses canvases, should I mention all those millions of painters who have previously done their work on canvases or the painter (whoever he or she might be) that first decided to paint on canvas? Or, should every book that’s printed give credit and “respect” to Gutenberg? What about a sculptor who uses metal or a furniture-maker who uses wood? Or, perhaps, every screenplay or stageplay should give thanks on the cover page to Shakespeare. Again, I disagree with that notion. The list of examples certainly does not end there.

Fortunately, artists can copyright or trademark neither a medium (canvases or street signs, for example) nor a style. Where, after all, would we be if that were the case?

I’m glad to see that the idea of artists contributing to the green movement, creating positive social change, is not limited to a group of 40 or so living, working and creating in Savannah. I wish you the best of luck in your artistic and creative pursuits!