Plaid Voyeurism Project

Monday, January 21, 2008

RED and BLACK: Rocket to Russia

This picture was requisitioned by the PVP, IEU. (International Espionage Unit) as part of the reconnaissance mission to Eastern Europe in December 2007. All IEU Scouts have returned to Headquarters safely and with a few wonderful images to share with us. We will be sprinkling them in among out day to day postings, to keep things from getting to predictable. Enjoy!

Though both men pictured are wearing red plaid, the pattern on left is not of particular interest to us at PVP. The pattern on the right, is obviously Buffalo Plaid. It is impossible, however, to determine the nationality of either man, based solely on the pattern of their shirt, we can assume however, based on their stoic postures, that they are most likely not Americans. Then again, I could be wrong.
---------This message has been generated electronically----------

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR...

Here at PVP, we firmly believe that all methods of media donation are valid and equal. We understand that not everyone has access to a camera phone, and recognize that a lack of equipment does not make a plaid sighting any less valuble than one captured in a well composed, in-focus, snapshot. We do not/will not discriminate based on method of submission, be it photograph, drawing, memory, local lore, song lyric, or just a hunch.

This message is brought to you by the proud folks at PVP, EOU: (Equal Opportunity Uploader)

RED and BLACK, No Means of Attack

This message comes to us via email:

"I love the PVP, I don't have a camera, or a phone, or a camera phone currently so I' can't really participate, but I would if i could. Out here in the country, red and black means you know how to identify, cut, and split firewood, and yellow/black plaid means you don't know anyting about the woods at all, but you grew up surrounded by them... interesting huh?
much love my friend,
p.s. I wear red/black!"

-The ARMIGE
Chestertown, Maryland
transmitted: 1/20/08 8:05pm

RED and BLACK

Flannel. The "Animal Print and Dancing" Party. San Clamente, California. This photo was sent in by a donor and party host known as THE AQUA CHEWBAQUA. I must point out that this capture is the first one we've got in which buffalo plaid is worn as a costume element. Also the first documented sighting on the west coast. Thanks for your donation, keep 'em comin! 1/10/08, 7:00 til whenever.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

NAVY and BEIGE

012008_1347a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Textile vessle. Downtown F train. 1/20/08 1:47pm.

RED and BLACK

012008_1251a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Knitted. Enid's. 1/20/08 12:51pm

BLACK and WHITE and FUR all over.

Emily and Troy's cat Mickey on a blanket from Muji, sent in this morning by Mara's assistant Paul. If you should need any more information regarding this photo, please contact Mara via Paul at: paul@marasprafkin.com. Got it? Good. 1/20/08 9:45am

GREEN and BLACK

011908_2108a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Scarf. This couple seemed lost. I took advantage of their bewilderment and was able to shoot shamelessly close. Waiting for the L on my way to the Annex. 1/19/08 9:08pm

RED and BLACK

011908_1134a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. In amongst the other coats at the Buffalo Exchange. Driggs x N9. (Forgot to check the price) 1/19/08 11:34am.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

RED and BLACK

011908_2008c.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. Crossing Berry on N6. 1/19/08 8:08pm

RED and BLACK

011908_1114a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. Hope x Havemeyer. 1/19/08 11:14 am.

PTHALO and BLACK from the Archives.

Flannel. Danny and Evan sometime in '07.

Friday, January 18, 2008

RED and BLACK and the Butterfly and the Bell Jar.

011808_2155a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool-over-hoodie. Lobby. Angelika. Go see the Butterfly and the Bell Jar, it's great. 1/18/08 9:59pm

BLACK and YELLOW

011808_1153d.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Flannel. Metropolitan, btwn Driggs and Roebling. 1/18/08 11:54am

Thursday, January 17, 2008

RED and BLACK

011708_1542a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

LET THIS BE A LESSON TO US ALL:

This capture scenario had the potential to be one of our most complex yet. Unfortunately, here at PVP, we usually learn things the hard way, and as circumstance would have it, I let the opportunity slip through my fingers.

Here's what happened: I wearing a red and black plaid jacket. I was walking south on the East side of 1st Ave when I spotted it. Draped over a chair, pressed up against the glass wall of a restaurant kitty corner to me was a jacket almost identical to mine. I immediately crossed west, never taking my eyes form the subject. (PLEASE NOTE, dear volunteers, in all your excitement you MUST NOT FORGET to LOOK BOTH WAYS.) Approaching from the north, I opened my phone as I drew closer, in simulation of an incoming call. Though the subject had her back to me, she was dining with a friend who watched me as I came towards them. I realized the unique nature this shot, with the potential of capturing the coat inside as well as my own reflection in the glass. Two in One; the predator and the prey, flattened into the same picture plane. My blood pumped. I reached the curb, hands shaking, I paused to focus the frame. It was then that my confidence took a sudden plunge and paranoia grabbed the helm, and paralyzed by fear and self consciousness, I was unable to accurately compose the shot.

Now listen close, dear PVP volunteers: Although wearing the plaid you're hunting adds an exciting cannibalistic twist and an increased adrenaline rush to the act of capture, such outward allegiance the plaid will make you exponentially more conspicuous to your subject, causing the heightened condition I have just described, and may result in your inability to get the shot you want. Though the events of this afternoon proved unfortunate, there is a lesson to be learned from this: Choose your patterns wisely, for if you dress a turkey, you are what you eat. 1st Ave x 13th St. 1/17/08 3:48pm

CONCLUSIONS ON THE 14TH PARALLEL.

Due to the official tabulation results just in from the PVP, SPU (Statistics and Probabilities Unit) It has been brought to our attention that there exists an undeniable correlation between a high frequency of recent sightings and the 14th Street parallel, in congruence with the east/west path of the L train spanning both Manhattan and Brooklyn. The density of capture seems to be most highly concentrated between Union Square and Bedford Avenue, both above and below ground. At this juncture, we are not yet sure how the results of this survey will impact our database. Please stay tuned for further analysis.
SIncerely, PVP, SHT (Speculation and Hypothesis Theorist)

RED(fox) and BLACK

011608_1829b.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Are those your undies I see? Flannel. The Bedford Stop. 1/16/08 6:30 pm

RED and BLACK ride by

This superb specimen of a moving target was captured on Wythe x S8th on Jan 13th by the donor known as Wagonween and sent in via: plaidvoyeurismproject@gmail.com. Thanks O, we wouldn't be here without you!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

a sea of RED and BLACK

011608_1921a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Today has been a record day for plaid sightings. I am blogging this LIVE from Europa in Greenpoint where the plaid turnout to see Kimya Dawson is truly staggering. Too many and too dark in here for me to capture. You'll just have to take my word for it. 1/16/08 8:29pm

RED and BLACK

011608_1653a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. Whole Foods. Union Square. 1/16/08 4:54pm

BOOTS!

011608_1638a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Rubber. Urban Outfitters. 14th St. 1/16/08 4:38pm

AQUA and BLACK-N-A-FLASH...

011508_1610a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Too fast to tell. Bedford Ave a.k.a. Plaid Capitol of the World. 1/16/08. 4:10pm

BLACK and WHITE and backlit by Starbucks

011508_1738a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. 14th Street. 1/15/08 5:39pm

RED and BLACK

March Gallery. Vandam Street. Two of three Marches; Esther, Kate, sans Niki. for more information go to www.marchgallery.com.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

RED and BLACK

011508_1511a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

JUNK. Wburg. 1/15/08 3:13pm.

RED and BLACK

011508_1329b.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wooster, eastbound btwn Spring x Broome. 1/15/08 1:29pm.

BROWN and BLACK and FURRY.

Christa, what's that bunny you're skinnin'? This picture is borrowed from the facebook profile of a PVP Donor known affectionately as WOOD HAWG, whom I haven't seen in many moons. (Miss you somethin' terrible, WH. Call me.) Alaska, 2007.

Monday, January 14, 2008

RED and BLACK: "The Plaidfather"

Gene Hackman and Francis Ford Coppola in the making of "The Conversation” (1974). Watched and sent in by Creston Lea, of Burlington, Vermont. 1/14/08 5:30am.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

RED and BLACK and gold lame.

011208_1811b.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Wool. JFK. Carousel 1. 1/12/08 6:11pm

Although girl pictured appears to be headless, I can assure you she did, infact, have one firmly attached to her shoulders. Capture method: Textbook "Faux-n call"

RED and BLACK & GREEN and BLACK vs. That poor guy getting pummeled.

This image was send in to us by Thyra Heder, a.k.a. Licorice Whips, of Brooklyn, NY. Please contact her directly for more information regarding the outcome of the match. Thanks T!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

RED and BLACK, GET OUT OF IRAQ! From the Archives

Wool. Peace march bull pen. Herald Square. 3/17/07 This photo was taken moments before I was drafted by Bread and Puppet to participate in their protest project. The hat I was wearing (MY FAVORITE HAT EVER, the one my sister made for my dad that he didn't wear so I repossessed...) didn't fit under my soldier costume, so I asked Seth to hold it because I had already been swaddled in black cloth by Elka Schumann, herself and no longer had access to my pockets. Last thing I said to Seth before I was corralled into my battalion was, "WHAT EVER YOU DO, DON"T LOSE MY HAT." After 5 hours of high stepping the entire length of Manhattan in a floor length gunny sack and a soggy cardboard soldier mask, having absorbed repeated barks of criticism regarding my marching style and sword wielding, I reached Hammarskjold Plaza, pissed off, exhausted and disheartened by experiencing the method behind the Bread and Puppet madness. VERDICT: NOT FUN. And in the throngs of the peace march, Seth dropped my hat.

Friday, January 11, 2008

GRAYSCALE and WHITE

011008_1511a.jpg, originally uploaded by abbyabby.

Paper. Coffee table reading. Office of Peter Welch, U.S. Congressman-Vermont. 1/10/08 3:33pm.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

GRAPHITE and PAPER: Annex Plaid - from the Archives.

Hand drawn plaid on paper. Got no money to pay the weavers. -CUT TO- Montage of textile mills of the late 1800's and the little ragged kids running the machines, focus on their sad faces and maybe catch a trickling tear, pan left past the kid and out one of the mill windows transitioning into a montage of jolly hunters in plaid coats bounding through the forest and crouching in the underbrush with rifles drawn ready to blast a hole in the first quadroped to wander through their sights. Set against Irish Troubador, Liam Clancy's tune THE WEAVERS. "If it Wasn't for the Weavers, what would you do? You wouldn't have cloth that's made out of wool... and so on." Song ends. Screen fades to black. Moment's silence. Rifle's report. THE END. This has been a BAG TAG inspired IMV (Imaginary Music Video.) produced in conjunction with PVP IA/VD (Imaginary Audio Visual Department,) a subsidiary of Use Your Imagination Media Works, LLC. If you would like to hear the song in its entirety, it is available for quick download from itunes. For more information about other productions in hand drawn plaid (As seen in BAG TAG and the image in this capture, please go to www.abbymanock.com. Please stay tuned for future installments. Peace.