18 Nov 2014

Perspex Protecting Ghostsigns from Barcelona to Sydney

Painted sign on a wall covered by a perspex sheet
Sydney, photo by Mike Meyer

This ghostsign for Peters Ice Cream in Sydney was photographed and shared by Mike Meyer while in Australia running signwriting workshops with Better Letters. It has been covered by a perspex sheet, presumably to protect it from vandalism and, to a degree, the elements.

It is not a new approach but one that I think is a positive for two main reasons. Firstly it respects the integrity of the original sign, versus efforts to repaint them. While this is still an intervention, it is done with respect to the sign and in as unobtrusive a manner as possible. Second is the inclusion of some historical notes about the company advertised. These add greatly to the experience of ‘discovering’ the sign in a very immediate way.

I think that this process of providing access to historical and contextual information would be a good way to allow the public to engage with ghostsigns in the built environment. It doesn’t even require perspex coverings. There could be a system of plaques with text and even QR codes to direct individuals to digital content e.g. archival photographs. I think this would make a very worthwhile project and one that I may even initiate myself.

Some more photos of this location below and also another perspex covering found in Barcelona earlier this year. If anyone can translate the Barcelona sign then please add a note in the comments. (More Barcelona lettering photos here.)

Painted sign on a wall covered by a perspex sheet
Sydney, photo by Mike Meyer
Painted sign on a wall covered by a perspex sheet
Sydney, photo by Mike Meyer
Painted sign on a wall covered by a perspex sheet
Sydney, photo by Mike Meyer
Painted sign on a wall covered by perspex
Barcelona
Detail of painted sign on a wall covered by perspex
Barcelona, detail
Detail of painted sign on a wall covered by perspex
Barcelona, detail
Detail of painted sign on a wall covered by perspex
Barcelona, detail

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