Temporary Person Passing Through

2005

Public Intervention | Neon | Photographs

Temporary Person Passing Through will resurrect and introduce to Istanbul the defunct pictorial alphabet of ‘Hobo Signs’ used by Hobos, who were rootless migrant workers in the USA from the late 19th to the mid 20th century. Hobos traveled across the country by hopping freight trains, looking for work wherever it was to be found. The symbols were used to give fellow hoboes directions, find work, and stay clear of trouble. Generally they were written with chalk, or coal, on sidewalks, buildings, railcars, and road signs. After World War II Hobo Culture more or less died off in the USA, and theses days instead of using Hobo Signs, the remaining Hoboes communicate with mobile phones and e-mail. (O.B.)

- From the project proposal