From RIPO:

"Si Ves Algo Di Algo" (If You See Something Say Something) is the phrase made infamous by the NYC transit authority, aka the MTA. To the MTA that means spy on your neighbor and report everything and anyone you suspect may be a terrorist or a threat to the security of the norm. I prefer to see the meaning of that phrase as a reminder to us to keep our eyes open and react to and interact with our evironments in positive ways. Taking back a sinister and Big Brother-esque phrase and turning it into something that speaks to people as a positive thing rather than a negative.

Freedom of Public Space, Freedom for our Eyes. Painted in the Gracia neighborhood in Barcelona, Spain.

More from Truth here.

If you're out and about in New York tonight be sure to head over to the Factory Fresh Gallery for a terrific opening that includes photographs from Jake Dobkin, Luna Park, Sam Horine & Street Stars, as well as a new set of wonderful puzzles by our friend Gaëtane Michaux.

The opening reception is today, Friday October 10th, from 6-10pm Factory Fresh is located in Bushwick at 1053 Flushing Avenue – "L" train to Morgan Avenue .

From Banksy:

“New Yorkers don’t care about art, they care about pets. So I’m exhibiting them instead. I wanted to make art that questioned our relationship with animals and the ethics and sustainability of factory farming, but it ended up as chicken nuggets singing. I took all the money I made exploiting an animal in my last show and used it to fund a new show about the exploitation of animals. If its art and you can see it from the street, I guess it could still be considered street art."

While New Yorkers have been consumed by the stock market meltdown, a tiny little pet store quietly opened four days ago at 89 7th Avenue between West 4th and Bleeker Street in the West Village of New York City.

There are no puppies or kittens in the windows here.

Instead, a live leopard lounges on a tree in the window.

In other windows, things get a bit more bizarre.

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets sip barbecue sauce. A rabbit puts on her makeup. A CCTV camera nurtures its young.

Clearly, that this isn't your typical pet store.

So who's the "owner" of the Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill at 89 West 7th Avenue?

Banksy.

Once Inside Banksy's pet store, you discover such things as breaded fish that swim in a large round bowl while hot dogs are living the "high life" under heat lamps in cages near the cash register.

This is the first time Banksy has used animatronics, and the effect is absolutely amazing.

A clear departure form last year's behemoth show in Los Angeles, Banksy's first ever show in New York City (all the others have been fakes) is being held in a tiny storefront that's less than 300 square feet and can't hold more than 20 people at any one time.

One of our favorite things about what Banksy has done is that the entire show is completely visible to the public both day and night through the store front windows. And unless you're a hard core Banksy fan, or until someone like us tells you, it's absolutely impossible to know that the work has been done by Banksy. There are no paintings or graffiti in the entire space.

We're sure that as soon as people start reading this, photos and video will be all over the web. But for Sara and I, we don't want to give too much away. It's just too much fun to be surprised (and delighted) in person.

Here's just a taste.

Starting the moment you read this, until October 31st (Halloween), Banksy's pet store is officially open each and every daily from 10am until midnight.

One piece of advice - Bring a video camera as still images don't capture the full effect.

Photo nicked from Banksy's website.

More here.

Artist: Ludo

For us, the most inspiring street art, is when then motivation of the artist is to beautify ugly spaces. That's why we love the Malmoe Streets Project so much.

In the city of Malmoe, Sweden, a group of artists have been replacing the drab boring street tiles that cover the city, with much more inspiring images.

From Evan's website:

T.S.A. Communication is a project that alters the airport security experience and allows the government to learn more about you then just what's in your backpack. Thin 8.5 x 11 inch laser-cut sheets of stainless steel comfortably fit in your carry on bag, simultaneously obscuring the contents you don't want the TSA to see while highlighting ideas you do want them to see. Change your role as air traveler from passive to active.

You can learn more here.

Instant Grant Program from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

Last night Charlie Todd told us about a new project from Steve Lambert called The Federation of Students and Nominally or Unemployed Artists.

The other day the group set up a table in New York's Union Square and gave away “instant grants” to those people who pitched them projects.

From the Federation's website:

How It Works

We all learn art in school. Every kid loves to draw at some point. People get fascinated with the details of their new camera, or spend free time writing poems. But eventually, there’s a not a teacher telling you how great your are, or the camera gets put away, or you just plain get busy and stop. Years could go by before you start again, if you ever do at all.

The FSNUA aims to re-inspire creative thinking and action in everyday people by removing a small barrier and providing encouragement. We give small, unsecured grants in the form of $10-$60 for creative projects thought up on the spot by everyday people. In the past this has included a merchant marine, two 10 year old girls, a US soldier on leave from Iraq, an accordion player from Alaska, and around 40 others. We funded their new paintings, drawings, knitting, and photojournalism projects, and the repair of one accordion. Projects that may not have happened had they not come across 10 people in the park to support and inspire the thought.

Beyond the small amount of money, the project encourages people to see themselves as something other than workers or consumers even if it just for the length of time required to apply for the FSNUA grant. We also hope to re-inspire dormant desires to create while presenting an example of generosity without an ulterior motive.

See the full gallery here and be sure to check out the Ice Cream People weblog

From Brian:

The intent of this project to get the Ice Cream Person recognized among the greatest of supernatural beings, (right up there with Bigfoot, Lochness, and UFOs).

Right now I'm collecting artist renditions as evidence. I'm mailing postcards with a cone template printed on it, for fellow advocates to complete and return. The postcards will be archived online at IceCreamPeople.org, and I'm planning the real-life exhibition now.

If you'd like to get involved, e-mail icecreamfriend@gmail.com with your mailing address.

Thanks!
Brian Butler
Ice Cream Person Research Coordinator

If you're in London tonight, be sure to stop by the Pure Evil Gallery for a rare show of new work by New York's PERIPHERAL MEDIA PROJECTS.

Reception is from 6-10pm, and the show will be up until Oct. 16 and then part of it will remain for the Frieze Art Fair. For more information go to www.pureevil.eu

www.pureevil.eu

More photos here.

More from Ikkeno here.