Ever since Andrew Scrivani started his #PostNoBills series on Instagram, I’ve thought a lot about these signs, probably more than anyone should, truth be told.
They’re plastered on construction site walls where, presumably, they ward off poster-wielding rapscallions expert in the field of ‘glue and run’. But, in New York City , will said rapscallion actually take the time to read the sign, and mosey along to another blank wall that doesn’t have this slogan painted on in some fashion?
And, who, from the construction crew, actually paints the “Post No Bills” signs on their mostly blue, but sometimes black, green, ivory and rarely red backgrounds?*
Is this some kind of hazing ritual amongst work crews? Is this task assigned to the grunt, the newbie? Or is it a perk, earned by seniority status in the company?
Perhaps there’s an application process, where workers show off their best PNB skills to a panel of judges?
Does the job comply with union rules? OSHA?
When does PNB go up? At the beginning of the day, or at quitting time?
Who chooses the font?
Who chooses the application method? Spray? Paintbrush? Sharpie?
And, the most probing question of all, who has witnessed a PNB actually going up?
5th Street and Avenue B
*Color usage noted by Andrew Scrivani himself
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