Sometimes life sucks. We're talking about the little things that can wear on you in a big way: long commutes; waiting in line; dealing with rude people; being broke.
It was with these stressors in mind that we dreamed up an installation project small in scope but big in touchy-feeliness: we made a batch of fake cupcakes with uplifting phrases attached, and placed them throughout our neighborhood.
Told you it was touchy-feely.
Here's what we did:
First, we made up a batch of faux cupcakes using plaster of paris. (Cakespy Note: If doing it again we might not use the silicone baking cups though, because they have a built-in fill line which showed up in our finished cakes.)
Then we attached little flags to each, with cute sayings.
Then came the fun part: we let 'em loose around town. Here are some of the highlights:
A park bench got a whole lot sweeter with a cupcake that said "You're super sweet";
On top of a "No Parking" sign, a cupcake declared "People like you. Really";
Atop some foliage, stressed passersby are reminded to "Remain Calm";
Perched atop a hydrant, one cupcake urges you to "Eat More Cake";
On someone's garden patio, there's a reminder to "Relax!";
At a bus stop, weary travelers are told to "Have a very sweet day!";
Smokers may want to be cool, but this cupcake urges them to "Stay Cute!";
On an entryway, one cupcake reminds that "You deserve a treat";
And finally, an ATM got a whimsical upgrade with a cupcake bearing the saying "The economy will be OK".
But on to the big question:
Why?
Well, it's not too complicated. You know that we're strange little darlings, we spies. We liked the idea that the novelty of finding such an unusual art object in an unexpected spot might give viewer pause. Perhaps coming across one of these little cupcakes it made them smile, or maybe it annoyed them as a piece of rubbish. Maybe it made them scratch their head and wonder why. But in any instance, the ultimate goal was a repreive--a momentary escape from everyday worries, and a small reminder that yes, life can be strange--but sometimes sweet.
What happened to the cupcakes? Beats us, though if you live in Seattle, you might just find a sweet surprise where you least expect it.
Thursday, January 22, 2009 
