Good people of Gotham, after this week's scary cover story in New York magazine, I feel like we're all in the need of a big group hug. But as I'm not one for public displays of affection, and don't even know most of you, I offer up 25 year-old Jason Polan's new Web-based project, Every Person in New York, instead. Consider him a worthy adversary to The What.

The strange-but-true premise behind this artist's interactive work: Polan plans to draw every person in New York City, and post the pieces on his blog which launched back in March. "I draw in subway stations and museums and restaurants and on street corners—I try not to be in the way when I am drawing or be too noticeable," he says. What's more, if you give him 24-hours notice and at least two minutes to do his thing, Polan might show up at the very street corner or public place where you're at to sketch you. "I do what I can, but I can't get everywhere, especially if it's remote, like a Starbucks at JFK," he explains. "A lot of times people won't even notice that I was there, which makes it fun when they discover themselves later that night on the blog."

But his surreptitious cataloging of New Yorkers isn't the only reason why Polan is a hometown hero; he also hosts a subversive yet totally tasty informal meet-up known as the Taco Bell Drawing Club (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, and there are over 80 card-carrying members), creates hilarious silkscreened "handbag" totes that are for sale on his site, and instructs budding artists of all ages through a DVD entitled "How To Draw An Apatosaurus". It's no wonder his recent 20x200 edition sold out in near record time—thank goodness a little birdie told us that there might be another already in the works!

For more information please visit jasonpolan.blogspot.com.

- Caroline Stanley

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Similar Topics:art, drawing, new york

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