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Community Corner

At Construction Sites, Flowers Spring Ephemeral

Painted blooms spotted on temporary walls may be the work of a traveling artist.

"Earth laughs in flowers," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson in 'Hamatreya.' And somewhere in Carroll Gardens, a floral-inspired graffiti artist is likely giggling or smiling too.

Early last month, Carroll Gardens Patch posted of a vibrant, large rose that had been painted on the outside of a construction site along Smith Street as our "Photo of the Day." At the time, it appeared to be a single, random piece of artwork intended to beautify a space undergoing renovations. Now, it seems more likely that it is part of a nationwide series by a woman named Andrea LaHue.

Last night, while walking through the sidewalk detour that has been created at the corner of Union and Court Streets, a second painted bloom—this time a sunflower—was spotted emerging from the pavement.

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Noticing the similar aesthetic that the two flowers shared, Patch did some digging online and came across an artist who could possibly be given credit for the rose and sunflower: Andrea LaHue aka Random Act.

According to her blog, Los Angeles-based LaHue has been criss-crossing the country since at least as far back as 2010 leaving "Random Acts of Flowers" on sidings and walls in her wake. Her signature logo, visible near the bottom of the Smith Street rose's stem in blue spells out "Random Act 2012." Efforts to reach LaHue for a confirmation went unanswered as of press time, however. So it is also possible that the works were made by a copycat.

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At roughly five and a half feet tall, these renderings immediately conjure thoughts of Alice in Wonderland in 'The Garden of Live Flowers.' And, existing on temporary walls as they do, their life cycle will end as soon as the projects they conceal are finished.

But beauty aside, they are technically graffitti. For that reason alone, not everyone may like them. How do you feel about the flowers? Vote in the poll and if you have spotted any other flowers around the neighborhood, please contact Patch so we can further document 'the blooming.'

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