Wednesday
Jan212009
Taking it to the Sweet: A Cupcake Street Art Installation
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 
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.
tagged cake art, cakespy mischief
cake art, cakespy mischief
Reader Comments (76)
fantastic idea. I wonder if anybody tried to eat them?
Gah! It would make me so happy to find something like this on the road!
I just HAD to feature this on my blog!! I really want to do something like this in my city - you should start a flickr group and encourage people to do it all over the world!
This is beyond brilliant. Bravo.
A day with out a smile is a day not lived, thanks for the smiles!
This is an awesome idea! I was wondering how did you makes the "frosting"?
Great idea! I've seen something similar happening in our neighbourhood ... Someone has tied wooly scarves to all the sign posts within a two block radius of our house. It HAS been very cold this winter. Maybe it's a attempt to warm us up (or at least bring a smile)?
Jess you never cease to amaze me with your incredible mind and talents! Again here at Sweet Cuppin we are smiling our butts off!!! Way to go!
Best ever! What a sweet idea.
Thank you so much to everyone. I'm really floored by the response--I love the fact that everyone seems to "get" the project--the fact that there isn't necessarily a meaning other than making something sweet to make people smile or to give them a special moment.
As for those who were nervous about people trying to eat them--well, the plaster cakes were pretty heavy so hopefully if someone picked it up desiring to eat it (oh goodness I hope not) probably the weight and texture would clue them in on the fact that they were not going to be delicious or even edible. Well, hopefully. :-)
Currently we're talking with some artist friends in NYC and NJ who are interested in continuing the project, so you might start to see more sweets on the street soon! :-)
I LOVE THIS! I think I'll use it for something like a May Day event with a friend. Talk about surprising someone :)
I would love to know how you made the frosting, too.
I think they're great! I bet they would be nice as a set to hold down picnic tablecloths too.
I live in the Franconia and I was coming home last night when I spotted the one on the railing!
At first I was disappointed when I picked it up and realized it wasn't a real cupcake... 'cause I totally eat random food I find on the
street. It was so adorable and pink. I wanted to take it but I took a couple of pictures and then left it there.
When I came home today it was gone, so someone must have given it a new home. I feel special to have seen it, and I think it was a great idea. Thanks for making my day a little brighter!
Does this mean we're neighbors, Cakespy?! All this time I thought I was just admiring you from afar.
What a fabulous idea....in this economy, people really do need something sweet to bring a smile to their faces. It's too bad you didn't hang around to photograph the reactions of some of the people who stumbled upon them.
If you do make a plan to do this again as a larger event, count me in here in Paris, France. What a wonderful thing if we all banded together and planted these around our own hometowns on a specific day of the year! ;)
You are trully the best! I know this would have put a huge smile on my face if I found one and would make my day better! Hope it did the same for the people who were lucky to find them!
Small surprises like this are fantastic! Really sweet idea.
So cute! I may steal part of your idea. Something like this would make the ultimate get well (or just because) "card"
Wow! What a great idea for a time such as this!
Everyone needs to smile everyday and I think you are making that happen!
I love it!
Shelley "The Cake Lady"
www.mynewcakehobby.blogspot.com
I absolutely love it. I think seeing a cute little cupcake out and about in the city really would brighten my day.
love!!! i like finding little sweet things around town, and a cupcake would be the sweetest. yay cakespy!!
i would have loved to see peoples reactions to your cuppies... awesome.
I am going right now to the White House communication form to nominate Jessie Oleson for Secretary of.... good moods?
such a cute idea! Vegas needs a cupcake spy!!!!
Oh my gosh! What a great idea! We need more peeps to do this. Cuppies coast to coast!!
oh cakespy! i live in seattle too. i wish i would see a sweet surprise while i was walking around the city.
keep up the sweet installation art!!