Straddling the line between installation art and graffiti, the anonymous street artist Skid Robot has been going around Los Angeles’ skid row spray painting imaginary homes for homeless people while they sleep (and leaving care packages for them when they wake up). I’ve seen them around town, and I always gasp at their… inappropriate whimsy? I don’t know. It’s audacious, that’s for sure. And it’s a conversation starter. Which is his intention. He’s trying to get people to talk about extreme poverty and help find solutions for it.
These augmented graffiti artworks, which are documented on his Instagram account, show how harsh homelessness can be to many. On LA’s Skid Row, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 homeless people make their disposable, makeshift homes right on the streets. It’s graffiti art with a powerful message.
More pics on Instagram | Tumblr (via Bored Panda, Vice)
Skid Robot is trying to crowdfund a documentary about his experience. From his GoFundMe page:
A national guerilla art campaign to create a dialogue for a solution to extreme poverty. Using the power of art and film, we will tell the stories of the desperate dreamers across the U.S. who are experiencing homelessness.
The aim of the film is to inspire a revolution of compassion for your fellow human being.
We can no longer neglect the global humanitarian crisis of homelessness and must bring the dialogue to the forefront of public discussion and find a solution to this crisis.
We would like to travel the United States giving to those in need documenting the entire mission.
Funds raised will be used to purchase goods for those in need and the cost of travel.