About
The Fading Ad Campaign began as a photographic project documenting vintage mural ads on building brickfaces in New York City spanning nearly a century. It has become a metaphor for survival for me since, like myself, many of these ads have long outlived their expected life span. Although this project doesn’t deal directly with HIV/AIDS, it is no accident I’ve chosen to document such a transitory and evanescent subject. Of the hundreds of ads I’ve photographed, many have already been covered up, vandalized, or destroyed. But still many silently cling to the walls of buildings, barely noticed by the rushing passersby.
This blog has been designed to be a cross-curricular instructional tool, emphasizing science & technology while examining media literacies and cultural movements. Check out the Assignments Page!
Share your fading ads & comments!
Frank H. Jump is a Brooklyn artist/teacher/resident.
I truly feel that the ads from NY are messages from a period of time. As most messages they have their 15 minutes of fame and then they are forgotten. However, at times in NY it could take 15 months, 15 years or 15 decades for the material aspect of the message to vanish. From a certain perspective these messages are historical snapshots leaving us to wonder and calculate regarding their intended audience and communication. Nice blog. How will you use it with your students to teach?
Great blog. I like the pace and scope of it.
Thanks! Sometimes I worry I post too much. So many images, so little time.
You have it all well categorized and therefore the magnitude of pics is manageable and appreciated. Go for it!
call 2143364213
Great blog. Don’t apologize for too many images.. I like them. =Paul
Thanks Paul. I’ve been using a Pentax Optio mini camera up till now and using a plastic magnifying lens for macro shots. It’s been fun but I’VE JUST BOUGHT A NIKON D40X!! So excited. Waiting for the macro lens to come in.
Best and have a healthy and happy New Year. Will check out your blog. Are you in Italy?
Frank
Frank,
I would love to take a trip up to Connecticut (home state) as I’m sure there is fuel for this type of art. I love the photos you take.
FYI.. i’m in Sorrento, FL. I know… i could keep people guessing
All the best.
=Paul
Hey Paul- Thanks for getting back to me. I’m loving my new D40X. Was down by you not too long ago. Glad you like the pics. All the best to you too.
Frank
I’m a big fan of the blog. I always see these signs around town or in other states and was happy to see you devoted a blog to it and give some history when you have it. Keep it up!
Do you take guest signage from other states/countries? I have some cool stuff from New Orleans if you want.
Absolutely! I host Bob Kisken and Vincenzo Aiosa and feature other artists like Wes Carr and Chris Adams. I would love to see your images and post some of your captions with them! Always wanted to go to N’Orleans.
Good stuff here! If you get the chance you should check out the interior of Sidecar bar/restaurant on 5th ave btwn 15th & 16th in Park Slope. When they took down the interior drywall to build it out they uncovered a billboard for what looks to be a snake oil type of cure-all (Dr. Tucker’s 59). It is pretty well preserved since it was behind a wall so they kept it exposed as a design element.
Frank,
I enjoy the site a great deal. I drive a truck and get to New York and other cities and am always on the lookout for these old signs. There is however a brand new sign in NYC. If you are on the Major Deegan Expy and take the 3rd Av bridge exit you will see a new sign on you right when you get to the stoplight and McD’s. I saw the painter hanging up there about 3 weeks ago and the sign was about 1/2 done. It is now complete. A building supply dealer if I remember correctly. Sorry about the loss of your dog. A writer- friend of mine said that the only place you can bury a dog is in your heart. I have 3 there now.
Mark…..
Thank you for your kind words Mark. I’ll check out that sign on the way home from the Poconos this weekend. All the best to you and thanks for visiting my site.
Very cool site. I love the photos. I travel around for work and I am always looking for old signs like this. Here are a couple from the west coast for your collection:
Glad you enjoy the site. Would love to see the pics. You can send them with a narrative to frankjump@fadingad.com.
Best,
Frank
I haven’t been to your website in some time. So i decided to check it out. You have added so much to the site. I really love it. I constantly see “fading ads” all over town. I often say to myself , I’m sure Frank already has a photo of this.
Kisha….
Yo Kisha! You can never be too sure. Snap it and send it to me or write down the cross-streets. How are things in Abraham Lincoln? Did you see the Evans Dairy shots near the school? Thanks for the note and call me soon. Let’s hang. You still have to show me your St Albans signs.
xo Jump
(I tried to email this letter and it bounced back…
Frank: Hey–I just stumbled across your site via Curbed, and wanted to say I think it’s very cool. I also like to photograph old signs, e.g., you can see several I took on a recent trip to Pittsburgh here:
http://thegayrecluse.com/2008/04/27/on-pittsburgh-city-of-bridges-to-our-forgotten-past/
and here’s one in Washington Heights, where I live:
http://thegayrecluse.com/2008/01/20/on-the-incandescent-transience-of-the-rex-cole-general-electric-appliance-empire/
Look forward to seeing more! Regards,
Matt aka TGR
Hola Frank,
me encanta tu website, tu blog y tus fotografias.
Mil besos.
@n@
Gracias Chica Guapa! Tu eres simpatica.