Suggestion [Paperback]

Illegal Art (Author), Michael McDevitt (Author), Otis Kriegel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2005

"Hey, would you like to make a suggestion?"

With that simple question and an enormous white suggestion box, the New York Citybased collaborative Illegal Art canvassed the five boroughs, collecting suggestions from passersby of every stripethe young, the old, the filthy rich, the homeless, the mouthy, and the shy. "Love each other or perish." "Take breath mints when offered." "Give me a break!" In true New York style, the suggestions are by turns hilarious, nonsensical, angering, and heartwarming. Some people held the suggestion box prisoner while they wrote suggestion after suggestion; others ignored the box, but then came scrambling back with a sudden idea. One woman scribbled as she walked down Wall Street: "More time in the day." One man in Harlem, when asked if he would like to make a suggestion, said, "Isn't it obvious? World peace." Or at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, a woman sadly wrote her misspelled suggestion and then held it up for all to read: "Never brake up with someone on a bridge." With over 350 entries and 50 photos of the suggestion box in action, Suggestion is authentic, honest, and totally appealinga testiment to the the public's innermost desire, whether it's free beer, free daycare, or free pumpkin pie every Thursday.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Illegal Art, co-founded by Otis Kriegel and Michael McDevitt, is a collective of artists whose goal is to create interactive public art to inspire self-reflection, thought, and human connection. Both Kriegel, a public school teacher, and McDevitt, the foun

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811847497
• ISBN-13: 978-0811847490
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Black & White

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You're never too old to learn, July 12, 2006

By 

Laurellz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suggestion (Paperback)

This book leaks out pure amazingness. The editors spared no one's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings while compiling this book-- and that's a good thing. Along with the funny things (i.e. "I suggest you give me the box"), there's whimsical advice, heartfelt thoughts, religious and political suggestions or observations, and truly thought provoking statements.

This book gives you a glimpse into the minds of strangers, and, no pun intended, pulls you out of your own box. It opens your mind to things you might not have ever even considered.

It's thoroughly enjoyable to read, and doesn't take long, so why not give it a try?

5.0 out of 5 stars Suggestion: Check this book out!, October 8, 2005

By 

Matthew Immergut - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suggestion (Paperback)

I love this book. It gives you a unique snap shot into the five boroughs. From the mundane to the profound. Great for the coffee table and toilet. Good gift book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little book of a great big idea, September 4, 2005

By 

Sam Hunter "SamHunter42" (Harrisonburg VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suggestion (Paperback)

I'm a huge fan of art projects that encourage public interaction, and especially of works that use words - so I think this is great. The book is a thought provoking read - you get to see what other people are thinking; you get to think about if you agree; and you get to think about the suggestions you'd like to make. Good job Illegal Art folks... Bravo!