Kiwi Haunted but Manageable
You’re walking along your local streets when suddenly you notice a very official-looking sign posted on a utility pole. Reading the message, however, makes you do a double-take. “Don’t. —Your Local City Council” Many citizens of Christchurch in New Zealand have recently been taken aback by such confusion. Mysterious, ostensibly government-issued signs have left many passersby scratching their heads. In addition to a message that simply says “Don’t,” the signs have advised people of ongoing but “manageable” hauntings in the area. Another assigned a walking speed limit to a pedestrian street. Yet, these messages are not from the local government. The absurd notices are the work of artist Cameron Hunt, who placed them as part of a local street art festival. The signs have caused a stir among locals, with some finding them hilarious and others getting concerned about walking speeding tickets, while others still complain that they might undermine the city government’s authority.
You have to give it to the artist, though. He did a good job, considering the plaques look authentic enough to fool people. One, placed on a popular pedestrian street in the city, advises citizens of a walking speed limit of 1.47 miles per hour. “Enforcement applies,” the sign warns. Another one simply states: “Don’t. Penalties may apply.” Finally, we have perhaps the most baffling notice. Located outside the historical, earthquake-damaged Dux de Lux building, it reads: “This area is slightly haunted but manageable. Monitoring active.” The signs certainly look like authentic city notices, using a typeface familiar to locals in white and green on a black background. Sharp-eyed pedestrians, however, might notice an important detail showing that perhaps the notices are a little tongue-in-cheek. Instead of the Christchurch City Council, each signboard is accompanied by the seal of “Christchurch City Confusion.”
With the signs, Hunt said he wants to make a bit of fun of how deadly seriously New Zealanders take public signage. “I like watching people’s reactions,” Hunt admitted to Stuff. “They either laugh straight away, or there’s a bit of confusion.” “The official look is really like part of the setup, because if it didn’t look legit, people would just ignore it instantly,” he said. “But when you have something that looks official and then says something completely ridiculous or absurd, that’s when you get that punch of confusion with joy.” The spirit of Monty Python is clearly still strong in New Zealand.
Signs of Humor
I know several jokes in sign language.
I guarantee nobody has ever heard them.
Why did the minus sign run for office?
To make a difference.
I was walking past a farm and a sign said ‘Duck, eggs.’
I thought, that’s an unnecessary comma. And then it hit me.
A new Christian gym opened near me.
They are currently going door to door signing up new members.
It’s called Jehovah’s Fitness.
January 5th Birthdays
1978 – January Jones, 1968 – Carrie Ann Inaba, 1946 – Diane Keaton, 1992 – Suky Waterhouse
1931- Robert Duvall, 1855- King Camp Gillette, 1952 – Sammo Hung, 1975 – Bradely Cooper