We See What We Want to See

In Liberty Square right now with one of my posters waiting to see how people react. Been sitting here about 15 minutes so far and have seen two people actively notice the sign. At least 50 people have walked by. Most people seem to just keep walking.

A third person noticed the sign now. All men. I wonder if this is just a coincidence? Now four men.

Most people look around like they are being watched after noticing the sign.

Another man seems to be watching the sign from across the street now while he smokes a cigarette. Now he's going back inside.

The sign seems to have blended in with the environment already. You would think more people would notice it. Cellphones and iPods preoccupy most people. They have better things to do.

Six men have noticed the sign now. If any women have seen it they haven't looked directly at it. Now seven.

Two police ride up on bicycles. Will they notice the sign? Will they care? I guess I will just stay put to see how they respond. They ride through the park, but may be waiting for me to make a move. They definitely notice the sign. As they rode by because the female cop made eye contact with me.

After taking a look around it seems as though they are gone.

I feel like many of the people who notice the sign must know I made it and put it there. They make eye contact with me as they walk by, wondering what this is all about. I should go check my parking meter and walk around to get a better perspective.

I fed the meter and got some coffee to warm me up. The sign is just where I left it. I don't know if anyone would tamper with the sign, at least not in the daytime.

There is an old man standing on the corner by the park and he also seems to be watching. He is walking towards the sign, but just goes past it.

A girl brings her friends back by the sign to see it. "Right there!" she says. She sits down for a moment and then jumps up, not sure what to do.

Not long after a middle-aged man with buzzed hair that is long and combed over in the middle sits down right next to the sign. Like the girl, he sits only for a few seconds before jolting up and walking again.

What is the purpose of public space? How should it be used?

The same man in a black fleece has walked by four times now. Twice in one direction and the second two times in the opposite. He says "hello" to a woman and clasps her hand, but keeps walking, like Venetians passing each other on the street with only enough time to say, "Ciao, ciao!"

The flow of people on the street seems to be slowing down as they sun sets and they return home to their families, roommates, and pets. I should do the same.