Perm

June 19–21, 2011

The arts in Perm grow stronger by the day.

The letters spelling out “Power” have had a layer of wooden boards added on top. And someone has added “to the Russians” on the pavement in front of them.

A beautiful giant red letter “П,” in whose authorship your humble servant played a direct part, has been erected on the Esplanade (a square the size of an airfield in the center of the city).

Not too far off, construction is being completed on a three-dimensional “П” by artist Nikolay Polissky.

Continuing on the topic of original Permian structures, it’s impossible not to note this advertising display method—scotch tape wrapped around a pair of trees.

Thursday, June 23rd at 93 Kuybysheva St., inside “At Amkar’s” pub. Shoe inventory liquidation. 50%, 60% off summer shoes. One day only

Creativity hits the road.

The polite driver intersection

The bus stops are now adorned with new signs (set in the proprietary Permian typeface). No explanation exists for the diagonal supports on the bottom.

Perm is perhaps the first Russian city to have all of its “militia” cars redone to say “police,” in accordance with the forces’ official name change.

The bike paths are actively in use.

And the traffic signs directed specifically at cyclists are getting more complex.

The buses in Perm are privately owned, so washing them is at the owner’s discretion.

An incredibly ugly—but matching—bench and trash can pair.

An airplane stub, part of a private collection.

Police at the airport combatting terrorism.