Signspotting

One of the most interesting things about travelling overseas is witnessing things that aren’t native to your home at all. Travel writer Doug Lansky began taking photos of the weird signs he would see when he would go overseas.

When he came home and showed them to his friends everyone would get enjoyment from looking at them, so he decided to continue taking pictures of odd signs whenever he travelled.

Lansky definitely has some favourites from over the years, one is from Hawaii and the other South Africa.

“I like this one in Hawaii where it says ‘Bottomless Pit: 30 feet deep’,” he said.

“There’s another of a stick figure in a wheelchair that is rolling down a hill, right into a crocodile with an open mouth. It’s a real sign from a croc farm in South Africa… What I’m wondering is, how many cute little grandmothers rolled down the hill to their tragic and violent death before someone finally said: ‘You know, we ought to put up a warning sign.’”

Lansky has created five books all with 250 signs in total. Over the years he has had 50,000 images sent to him and is still open for submissions. These images are on display in a free outdoor installation style exhibition at Darling Harbour. (AMal)

Apr 16–May 1. Cockle Bay Wharf South, Darling Harbour. Any Time. Free. Info: signspotting.com

BY ATHINA MALLIS