Google Street View As Art

Apparently, the Tosh.0 blog now covers art.  Who knew?

On our radar today, Jon Rafman, an artist who — according to designboom — has created a series of pieces culled entirely from Google Street View.  He searches their archive of drive-by photography looking for interesting images, takes a screengrab and then blows them up to wall-mounting size.

It's great for him because, unlike a real photographer, he doesn't have to actually take any pictures.  Saves him a fortune on film and developing.  (Or at least it could if people still used film and developing.)

Additionally, I feel like he's got to be breaking some sort of law which can really help his artist street cred.  I believe it's considered heroic in the art world when you take on a giant business conglomerate.  Heroic or "the easy way out"… I forget which one.

Regardless, there are a couple awesome finds such as this gun-toting maniac and these Segway riding weirdos.  And you have to respect a man who spends his days scanning every inch of Google Street View.

Oh wait…  Did I say "respect"?  I meant "get a real job!"