Title Magazine Issue No.5

Page 29

29

In Culver City, and most likely every other county in California, utility boxes stand unnoticed as unsightly scraps of metal; that is, until Joshua Callaghan came along. In response to a call for public art made by the city, Callaghan had an idea so obvious, it couldn’t help but be innovative. Decorating utility boxes to blend in with their surroundings would in fact do the complete opposite; a double take often occurs at the sight of his public art, and the smile this brings to citizens’ faces is what Joshua finds the most satisfying. Callaghan tells of his need to constantly change mediums, and prefers hopping around, getting involved most especially with his hands. Looking at his art and exhibitions, it shows. As a man of many mediums, Callaghan has worked with illustrations, performed installations, taken various photographs, and created sculptures and graphs out of wood, steel, and concrete. Surprisingly enough, when asked what he would do if he could multitask very well, it didn’t relate to his scattered art; he’d much rather cook breakfast for the whole neighborhood on his hotplate. In the same sense, Callaghan isn’t one who settles down easily. From New York to Rio de Janeiro and finally, for the last six years, Los Angeles, the 40-year-old has ventured around the nation since he was a child, and expanded his journey internationally after high school. He reveals his personality and his art to be closely associated with his constant dislocation. Life in Los Angeles has proven to show through his work, and he classifies the landscape and human built environment of the area as his own new medium. Callaghan’s medium is soon to reach other areas of the nation. He is excited to begin his project in New York at Bryant Park, an area rich with industry that is sure to notice the originality of Callaghan’s boxes. Luckily for us, it can already be found here. So the next time you happen to be strolling down Hollywood, look past the silver tinned boxes; keep an eye out for the camouflaged squares that manage to stand out by blending in.


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