Photo by Austin Robinson, via submission
Here’s a pic of a phenomenon I’m curious about: why are all these locks attached to the closed pedestrian underpass? The photo was taken at Hollywood Boulevard at New Hampshire Avenue. If you can explain, please leave a comment. I’m guessing it’s just one of those things I’m too old and un-hip to know about (there are many of these type of things).
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Categories: The Art of Transit
Some of the locks seem to make a pattern.
–There are 7 dark key padlocks, almost in a vertical line, starting at the top of the stairs, one for each stair,as if they are going up and down the stairs.
–Four combo locks in a diamond pattern to the left.
–Three vertical combo locks, tracking a vertical rust stain on the stairwell wall.
–Were these patterns made by a serial lover, who brings each new conquest to the gate with a new lock– each love never suspecting that he or she will be dumped for a new one, their fleeting love forming love part of the unfolding pattern?
It is weird. Someone’s trying to make a statement with all those padlocks. Still weird on my weird-o-meter. Great pic btw.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks
They’re most likely locks of love. You’re supposed to lock it to the fence, gate, etc. and throw away the key. Voila, ever-lasting love.
The first time I saw it was on the Ponte Milvio bridge in Rome. It seemed a little bit morbid before I knew exactly what it was.