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Hi everyone, I'm a graphic design student from Denmark doing a project on urban exploration. My aim with the project is to take the concept of hoboglyphs and combine it with themes from urban exploration. If you aren't familiar with hoboglyphs here's a short article on the subject matter.
So hobos used indecipherable glyphs to communicate with each other on site, making sure that the next hobo coming by was aware of possible dangers. Bear in mind this was before the internet where it was an effective means of communication to the initiated.
I'd imagine, for an urban explorer, a similar system warning of possible dangers or things to be aware of, would be of equal use. Although in this day and age, with social media and internet being the predominant method of communication, it's still an interesting idea which is working outside the confines of the online information abundancy.
Another way it could be implemented is to inform an urban explorer of a nearby location that is worth looking into.
So in the same way hobos used these glyphs to alert each other, what kind of things would an urban explorer want to be alerted of before entering a building. That's where I need your input, such as:
Abandoned building nearby
Rotting wood
Holes in floor
Nails in floor
Guard dog(!)
Great view
Bring flashlight
Mind the gap
I'm not attempting to create a new cryptographic language that can be actually implemented and put into use, so dont feel offended about the idea of spraying graffiti in derelict places (if you got anything against it, that is). It's more of a way to research into what a particular group (in this case, you guys) would find useful without informing a third party - without using the standard channels such as the internet - keeping it urban.
If you got any questions, or if it doesnt make sense, feel free to ask!
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Beware of crackheads
Please mind the scrappers
Kids tagging the shit out of the place
Homeless person lives here
Junkie shooting up
This is a bum's shit-room
Cops or security patrols inside building
Collapsing stairway
Unsafe ladder
Deep water in basement
"Are you happy now with all the choices you've made?" "Are there times in life when you know you should've stayed?"
"Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?" "Winners and losers... which one will you be today?"
***Social Distortion*** |
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Mould issues...
Security Guard.
Unsafe air.
WILD ANIMALS.
My Blog; https://historyindecay.blogspot.com/ |
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Posted by Skye_Ann
Mould issues...
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Mold.
This is a pretty cool idea. Not sure if it will catch on, but it would be neat to have something like this available. When it comes to this, just remember to KISS (Keep it simple stupid).
The Durango '95 purred away a real horrowshow - a nice, warm vibraty feeling all through your guttiwuts. And soon it was trees and dark, my brothers, with real country dark. |
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I like the idea.. I just don't think it scores very high on practicality..
It could be worked out as a set of printable stencils.. But then you gotta carry spray paint on you.. Might have a better chance of talking your way out of a trespassing ticket if the cops don't think you are tagging up the place.
Could do stickers.. but stickers don't stick for long in a lot of environments..
Sounds to me like there are a reason bums gave up this kind of system.. As you said.. we do have the internet now..
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Heard of this concept awhile ago. Glyphs that indicated friendly or hostile property owner and whatnot. Some guy was telling me they had used colored dots sprayed on the side of rail road tracks to mark trails to areas but I didn't think it would ever work in practice on anything other than an in house scale.
"It's nothing, only the smellz." |
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Thanks for the responses so far guys, it really helps a lot!
| This is a pretty cool idea. Not sure if it will catch on, but it would be neat to have something like this available. When it comes to this, just remember to KISS (Keep it simple stupid). |
Like I mentioned before, I am not looking to create a fully functional system like the Hoboglyphs, as that will take a while. I am using the insight gained from this research to incorporate into my concept of a fictional event centered around the exploration of abandoned buildings in the city (in this case Copenhagen).
I imagine the glyphs themselves will have to consist of a few, recognizable shapes that make them stand out from each other, and that can be quickly sprayed without losing readability.
| Sounds to me like there are a reason bums gave up this kind of system.. As you said.. we do have the internet now.. |
Exactly. One also has to take into consideration the social stigma that is tied to graffiti in the urban environment, which wasn't as prominent in the 20's.
| Some guy was telling me they had used colored dots sprayed on the side of rail road tracks to mark trails to areas but I didn't think it would ever work in practice on anything other than an in house scale. |
Thats actually very interesting, and an easy way to relegate information without having to develop cryptographic symbols, when colors could work just as well by using color symbolism, eg. red = danger, green = safe.
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It's be easier to carry one black Sharpie and have a list of cryptograms than to carry a backpack of multi-colored spray cans. Just sayin' 
"Are you happy now with all the choices you've made?" "Are there times in life when you know you should've stayed?"
"Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?" "Winners and losers... which one will you be today?"
***Social Distortion*** |
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Interesting concept! Might I include...
Asbestos
Roof Access
Collapse ahead
Watch your head
Broken Glass
And, as most explorers ignore the standard "DO NOT ENTER" sign, an official explorer "SERIOUSLY, DO NOT ENTER" symbol.
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yawn
mmmm. mandias....... |
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Don't open the fridge.
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Posted by arntzville
Don't open the fridge.
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Ha... only got to do that once..
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Hahahaha, made THAT mistake once. NEVER AGAIN!
"Are you happy now with all the choices you've made?" "Are there times in life when you know you should've stayed?"
"Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?" "Winners and losers... which one will you be today?"
***Social Distortion*** |
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Caution: high risk of banging your head on a fucking ceiling pipe.
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Hoboglyphs made out of smeared hobo feces for that authentic look and smell.
If you want to protect the locations you love to explore, don't talk about them online in public!
If you want to make exploring friends, send people private messages! Meet up in real life! Get off the internet!
Don't try to have a UER e-penis! You won't impress anyone! This especially means you, Minneapolis MN newbies! |
Ethics
