This way please

While out taking last minute photos to place on blogdowntown's photostream for the LA Souls show, I saw these signs over the sidewalk on Main Street between 5th and 6th street. This strip has become notrious as a drug deal zone –– so someone made some "wayfinders. If it was done as an underground form of public  art, you can't get any more site specific then this.

Added note: Out at the Art Walk someone took down these signs. What was still up was a sign that read "ACLU Heroin Alley" at the corner of Main and Winston.

Another added note as we are linked Sunday: art.bloggingla posts it at One Man's B.I.D. is Another Man's Crack Haven and includes backstory from a reader on the subject source of another sign "Callahan Heroin Square":

"Callahan is a reference to Alice Callahan, a long-time community activist and homeless advocate in Skid Row who has been very critical of the LAPD."

Poster 5000 states it all is "distasteful to me" yet considers the typography "top-notch". I agree in that it's well done, but also question the context. The signs are critical of social groups stating they are empowering drug dealing and it's rare that side of the fence is subject of artistic criticism. "LA CAN" is a grassroots organization from Skid Row and it's certain that LA CAN's  supporters are the ones who took down that sign.

Added note: In the spirit of satire, View From a Loft reviews this as an art installation