That's the ten-foot-tall, four-ton bronze statue of Mister Rogers in Pittsburgh, sculpted in 2009 by Robert Berks, and the crocheted cardigan was graciously provided by Alicia Kachmar, because what would Mister Rogers be without his cardigan? (Fact: All of the cardigans he wore on his show were hand-made by his mother.) Look, it even has a zipper! Although I'm not a fan of the statue itself, the addition of the sweater is the perfect tribute to one of the greatest people to ever live. More here.
Tributes to Mister Rogers aside, I much prefer it when graffiti or other street art serves a political purpose rather than an aesthetic one. Take the rainbow stairs in Turkey: In support of gay rights, or in opposition to an oppressive government? I'm all for them. Just to brighten up the place? I'm not a fan. I like the anti-nuclear "NEIN DANKE" piece from Germany, although I don't necessarily agree with it, and I dislike the striped tree. I simply don't like colors, and unless they serve a practical or symbolic purpose, I find them distracting and annoying. I don't like them in my neighborhood.
I suppose you could call me a local anaesthetic.
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