St John’s bridge retooled as a farm implement in this community garden mural #pdx

this is my photo of a photo that is posted as a large sign in someone’s front yard, apparently referencing a former exhibit, it begins “I AM FROM ST JOHNS. I AM FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CUT. THE PLACE WHERE TWO POWERFUL RIVERS
MEET BENEATH THE MAJESTIC BRIDGE THAT FRAMES ST JOHNS. THE SAME BRIDGE MY MOTHER THREATENS
TO JUMP FROM WHEN I MISBEHAVE. THE SAME POLLUTED RIVERS THAT TEMPT ME ON HOT SUMMER DAYS…” #pdx

St. John’s bridge merch from Alshiref Designs, an artist who prints lots of Pdx bridges but like especially the St. John’s bridge

https://amitypdx.com/collections/alshiref-designs

#pdx

Alshiref Eskander is also the designer of the St John’s neighborhood flag. you can see from their profile pic that they, like many, also personally identify with the bridge. several of my neighbors fly this flag and I am gearing up for the purchase cuz why not https://amitypdx.com/products/st-johns-flag

#pdx

rode my bike 18 mi round trip to Alshiref’s downtown #pdx shop to get the tee. he was there! and showed me how he prints his designs himself behind the counter. we fangirled hard together about the St. John’s bridge (honestly cathartic to check in with a kindred spirit on this topic). he said when people complain his print is upside down he looks down at it and exclaims NOT FOR ME! he said he’s Egyptian and so he flipped it to pick up on traditional Egyptian collar type shirt designs

Alshiref also tried to upsell me on this limited edition (last one!) ply pannier set—st John’s bridge art collab he did with his friend. I was VERY tempted but didn’t have a rear rack on my bike at the time so couldn’t get them back to my house. They buckle together but then the handles fold up so you can easily carry them together, very functional design. I MIGHT go back and get them. I MIGHT #pdx

Alshiref was out when I first got to his downtown shop so I wandered into Kiriko shop next door which has tons of cool Japanese stuff, a line of re-tooled durable luxury clothing items using older Japanese fabrics, and apparently one custom handkerchief design for tourists honoring their Portland location which (of course) features the St John’s bridge, showing how the bridge often signifies not just love for St. John’s but also for the whole city

Kiriko | Traditional Japanese Textiles | Handmade in Portland, OR

Apparel and accessories handcrafted in Oregon and Japan. Traditional Japanese textiles and patterns.

Kiriko Made (kirikomade.com)

I met Mel the artist behind Hello Magnolia printshop (“anti capitalist, paper centric”) at the annual St. John’s art walk a few weeks ago. like me, they enjoy just walking around looking at the bridge and generally feeling creative. I bought their original Polaroid emulsion lift “bridge dyptich” after our chat, which I think captures those vibes pretty well

Original Polaroid Emulsion Artwork

A word from the Artist: "The work should make you want to slow down. Come a little closer and really examine it. There is just so much going...

Hello Magnolia Print Shop (www.hellomagnoliaprintshop.com)

this St. John’s bridge mural has cut outs and backlighting so at night the multicolored buildings painted on either side of the bridge have their lights on. I like how the artist included everything but the willamette river

a photo I took under one of the newly replaced St. John’s bridge Gothic arch supports. from this spot, you feel/hear different passing motor vehicles vibrate the bridge like a stringed instrument. semis are big bass, the order of cars syncopates and strums