Obey · Shepard Fairey · 1990

	— collectable
lithography — mass production		|
	— battle for public space — anti- corporation

Style: propaganda + Pop Art and Avant Garde influenced
Genre: counter culture + commercial
Location: store fronts, walls, signs , buildings , record stores , movie theaters , streets, mailboxes, phone booths, signs, parking meters, streetlights, trashcans


Fairy’s Obey poster campaign is an experiment of Martin Heidegger’s concept of phenomenology. Obey posters appear on almost any public surface possible. Some adapted to these posters finding the image itself amusing and nonsensical. Others considered it pure vandalism with distaste. Those who grew fond of the stickers saw them as a collectable item because of their familiarity; to own them provides for a memento. Therefore, Fairey was able to turn Obey into an actual merchandising brand. BNE and Fairey share the primary desire of having their symbols everywhere for the public to see; to have the same privilege as corporations who have their logos everywhere.