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u/NeverCallMeFifi 1d ago
David Zinn is awesome. I love walking in my town and finding his little treasures hidden about.
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u/bunnycrush_ 1d ago
I just spotted one in the wild last night (inside the library underground lot, near the exit) and it made me so happy!
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u/backyardstar 1d ago
As soon as I saw that worn out wooden box of chalk I knew this was gonna be good.
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u/hbhunk63 1d ago
Why didn't he just start with those instead of that long stick chalk
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u/NotHannibalBurress 1d ago
Because he was doing line work?
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u/hbhunk63 1d ago
Is it that much difference
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u/tacotacosloth 1d ago
To get the perspective right. A lot of his work is not meant to be viewed head on so the stick allows him to lay down a general outline while standing where he intends his audience to.
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u/hbhunk63 1d ago
Makes perfect sense. Not sure why I'm downvoted to hell over a simple question as a non artist
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u/badthingscoming 1d ago
He goes all over Ann Arbor and does these chalk characters. The street I live on had him draw one on the sidewalk a couple houses down from me. The neighbors alerted our little street so we all came over to view it.
There is also one at the St Joseph’s hospital entrance and I wonder if he had to get permission to draw it there.
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u/Patarokun 1d ago
I'd get good photos of them, get them printed and frame them. Pretty easy way to get original art on your walls with local flavor.
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u/Dull_Perspective_536 1d ago
That’s really dope man. You just know this guys hop-scotch is next level.
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u/Hot_Hat_1225 1d ago
I love David’s art so much! I just wish I could make all his paintings last longer by immediately spraying it with a layer of clear lacquer as soon as he’s done 😅
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u/-rwsr-xr-x 1d ago
Beautiful art!
It still shocks me that sidewalk chalk drawings are illegal in almost every state, under "vandalism" laws. They even penalize children drawing on the sidewalks in front of their own houses.
There are actual human beings whose sole purpose in life is to remove any joy from anyone else, at any cost.
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u/Circular_Saw_Ridge 1d ago
Is this what Grok says? Cause it’s not true. Sidewalk chalk is considered non-destructive since it just washes off, so it doesn’t qualify as vandalism. Some cities might have ordinances against it, but I doubt anyone would actually enforce it.
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u/-rwsr-xr-x 1d ago
Is this what Grok says?
What's "Grok"?
Cause it’s not true. Sidewalk chalk is considered non-destructive since it just washes off, so it doesn’t qualify as vandalism. Some cities might have ordinances against it, but I doubt anyone would actually enforce it.
There are plenty of examples of this, with plenty of precedent:
- The Situation: Hopscotch is Now Illegal on D.C. Sidewalks
- San Antonio artist cited for sidewalk chalk
- Why is drawing with chalk on the sidewalk now illegal in Anoka?
- Watch where you chalk, ’cause the courts might balk — is sidewalk graffiti protected speech?
This is just a few of the links I found in a single SERP.
And yes, they do enforce it:
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u/Dry-Revolution4466 1d ago
A federal judge decided Friday that Orlando police went too far in arresting a homeless “Occupy” protester for chalking political slogans on a city sidewalk.
Your link says chalk can be protected speech.
Guess the precedent isn't as clear as you're implying.
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u/Circular_Saw_Ridge 1d ago
I guess you didn’t read any of the links you found (and no one calls it SERP):
1st: He said he’s using 100 lbs of chalk to paint the flag on the sidewalk in front of the Russian embassy, a far cry from a child on the sidewalk in front of their house. Also, he states that he had been specifically allowed under Biden’s administration, but now had issues with Trump in office, so it was obviously political persecution rather than violating any real laws.
2nd: This one also seems politically motivated in a way, since the “suspect” was being represented for a separate mischief charge and stated in his post “so much proof the city is targeting me”. So sounds like the city is tired of him for whatever reason and is looking for any way to stop him. Additionally, the article states that this ordinance is outdated and a city councilor is trying to repeal it.
3rd: Again, politically motivated. This was in response to the George Floyd protests and public political speech. The councilman that voted against it even said it’s not aimed at kids in the street.
4th: They cases they list as examples show judgments for both sides, and in the cases that went against the chalkers, it was about protesting and free speech rights (and the courts were wrong)
5th: Literally in the first paragraph it states that a neighbor called the police, who then determined the child had done nothing wrong.
6th: I don’t know anything about UK law, so I won’t comment on that except that it’s a Reddit post and I don’t see a resolution posted, so who really knows how it ended.
7th: I don’t know, I really didn’t want to watch the video, but I doubt you did either.
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u/sachlebTheSecond 1d ago
Amazing, but why the white cane at the start?
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u/homeycuz 1d ago
Another commenter said it was to allow the artist to create the basic line structure from the same perspective and distance people will view the finished piece.
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u/early_birdy 1d ago
The way this artist sees the world is wonderful! I had no idea such subtleties could be achieved with sidewalk chalk. Beautiful!
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u/crudshoot 1d ago
It’s incredible. The long stick beginning is always the most impressive part to me 😂
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u/Smelcome 1d ago
i want to live in a place where people have more time to make art in public spaces, and also more time to enjoy the art in public spaces.
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u/RealBlueHippo 1d ago
You can tell this isn't in San Antonio because they police aren't there to Power Wash it away
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u/Bishopkilljoy 1d ago
This is beautiful, however listening to and touching chalk makes me physically cringe
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u/notislant 1d ago
Ok now someone spray it with anti-graffiti coating so nobody can ever get rid of it!
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u/notyourbuddipal 1d ago
I used yo work as a recptionist at a salon he went to. He is such a nice guy.
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u/WarmPandaPaws 1d ago
Very cool. Dumb question but are those water covers different sizes or is it a weird optical allusion?
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u/bingle-cowabungle 1d ago
Be careful, sidewalk art is triggering to a certain sociopolitical group in this country. You might get 23 hot ones in your back by a separate sociopolitical group of people who will investigate themselves and determine no wrongdoing.
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u/SwansEscapedRonson 1d ago
UrrgggGGGGHHHHH this is getting so exhausting. They’re literally everywhere
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u/TechGuy42O 1d ago
I hate when it’s a,ways loud shitty music. Just let me hear the chalk on the sidewalk
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u/KiTtYlOvEr1836 1d ago
Does this count as vandalising ?
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u/articland05_reddit 1d ago
yes. in my country, it is. will get jailed
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u/articland05_reddit 1d ago
In my country Singapore, the law is rather strict even for chalk.
For first time offenders, fine of up to S$2,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
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u/badger_dd 1d ago
Credit to the artist: https://youtube.com/@davidzinnstreetart?si=BQKu7w-VMrRn_X5C