BONUS SAVES

A lot of us are probably guilty of conflating subversive public art with vandalism. I know I am. I really like the idea of destroying things to make them better. You know, bombing. Then I stumble onto an artist like Chicago's Bonus Saves, who leaves impermanent pieces behind for folks to take home.

It's really a result of the buff, I'm told. "I came into a scene where that was just the status quo. It was a norm way before I got involved. It did help influence the direction i have gone with free art." And temporarily affixing phallic cartoon characters to public architecture is a great way to circumvent issues pertaining to the buff or charges of vandalism.

"Mayor Daley's a money-hungry dick. The Weeners are totally for him."


In a city controlled by anti-graff activists, Bonus figures that their cutouts are actually more visible and long-lived than a painted wall. "It is intentionally left easy to take... a few staples, or balanced against a window. For the pieces that do end up in someone's home, cafe, etc. those may be viewed by friends, family, or clients for some time to come. It's just a different approach to street art. What's not buffed today will be buffed tomorrow. For me, I see no reason to leave it to chance."


"The Bonus family (or Bonusland) kind of has a story. Think a fruitier version of middle earth, but set in our world. Nobody really see's them... they are on a similar level to sprites. The skulls are what ties most of the characters together. It also allows for my sentiments on life and death: both are part of what we call life. Living in America and seeing how people fear it (death) has made me want to focus on (in my opinion) an unhealthy attitude towards the natural process of life."

So if you wanna see more of the Bonusland penis-sprite family, check it out on flickr.