Living in Paris has an interesting effect on some people. And lucky for us, Sandrine Estrade Boulet shares her unique perspective through a series of found material installations and photo manipulations.

Remember when you were a child, lying in the grass watching forms emerge from within the clouds? Sandrine’s work brings this activity forward into her adult life, as she takes a moment to stop and observe; to rediscover and see more than watch. This means taking a lighter approach to the moments in-between, in the belief that people can bring happiness into everyday life if they practice being a little more uninhibited.

…I love the mix of the photographic image (a reflection of reality) and drawing (translation of the imagination). 

Click through to enjoy several galleries containing more happy moments on the streets of Paris and beyond. These playful explorations came to us through Monsieur Bandit.

Taking an active role in greening the streets has seen guerilla gardeners become ever more creative.   One of our favourite approaches comes from Canada, and has been featured a few times on Wooster Collective.   With the unique aspect of only bringing in the planted material itself, Sean Martindale and Eric Cheung’s Poster Pocket Plants use the paper from advertising material to form a little cradle that becomes the planter.

Care is taken to scatter the pockets in a staggered pattern, so that water will drain from one plant to the next.   In some neighbourhoods, anonymous members of the community have been observed to adopt the plants.  Watering, trimming, adding new flowers and replacing those that go missing… people are experiencing a shift in awareness and a new appreciation of the public spaces.  

You can find a thorough article about the process at The Torontoist.   Read on to learn how Sean and Eric embarked on a quest to “activate public space,” introducing nature “to the urban environment in ways that might encourage others to do the same, or to at least consider such possibilities.”

It is interesting to note that the pocket planters are only installed on illegally posted advertising material.  In addressing a medium that is unofficial and unregulated, many people find that Sean and Eric’s efforts bring a much appreciated freshness and vibrance to the grit of the city streets.

Poster Pocket Plants are documented in a Picasa Gallery and Blog.

They lurk on posts, on fences and on walls.  Waiting patiently to catch the eyes of passers-by… they are Junky Projects and they have an important message to share.    

For several years now, an enterprising young architect has been on a street art crusade in South-Eastern Australia.   He strategically installs sentinels created out of junk to help remind people that if they continue to generate so much waste in their lives, it may one day come back to haunt them.

These engaging critters never fail to bring a smile to the faces of those who spot them.    In several areas, a conversation has begun as other creations emerge to join the Junky Projects in their streetside vigil.  This reciprocal bloom has been particularly gratifying for the artist - 

“…of course that is exciting for me, the dialogue which takes place between street artists is one of the factors that has made it the strongest, most influential and innovative art movement of our time.”

See the full archive, as well as selected stories behind creations and the mysterious new lives they have taken on at Junky Projects.

Train commuters in Melbourne may notice Crateman’s appearances from time to time.   He pops up in various places, sometimes for merely a few hours and sometimes his presence lasts weeks or even months.

Occasionally, Crateman has friends who come and play.  He has also been seen amusing himself in silent solo contemplation.  Fishing by a creek in Newport, lurking under bridges, riding a bicycle… Crateman is a creative character indeed.

Although the question of who is behind the cratemen remains a mystery, you can find a map pinpointing current locations, a photo archive and more at this fansite.

In the busy world of New York City commuter hustle and bustle, Joshua Allen Harris has been bringing smiles to many faces with his growing menagerie of inflatable creatures.

Appearing like discarded refuse on the pavement, these seemingly innocuous plastic bags begin to quiver and pulse before springing in to life at the passing of subway trains.   The forms are created, tested and refined in his workshop, and then installed above exhaust grills from the subway system.

Follow the link to see more, including a gorgeous Public Service announcement featuring his polar bears…

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