Nathan Hiemstra

Fake Signatures Nathan Hiemstra

When cashiers don't ask for ID I sign any name I want. And they never notice. Except for one weary Ikea cafeteria cashier who came to my table and asked "Excuse me sir, could you please sign your real name?" I am reflecting back the absurdity of this convention. Signatures are the linchpin to whether I own my house, my NBA contract is legal, or a transaction is valid. Yet they are ignored. You can scribble anything and declare it your signature. Your own personal, legally binding unique identifier could be an ornate calligraphic rendering of your name like those of the Founding Fathers. Or a smiling cookie. They're kind of logos for people. Maybe some day calligraphers will be hired to design signatures for rich people. I know what you're thinking. These are small transactions and the poor cashiers are on auto pilot. If I had their job and someone signed "Factory Flash Mob" or "Ricktangle" or "Wood Hood" or "Crust Avalanche" or "Flap Stash", I would be delighted to be snapped out of my doldrums. Everybody wins!This is my collection of 84 of these receipts.