We Love Houston…
We had heard so much about this clever piece of art, so we of course had to check it out for ourselves!
Though it stands 28-feet tall, the “We Love Houston” sign (also known as the “We Heart Houston” sign) can still be easy to miss as you drive along I-10,facing East, just west of downtown. This is especially true if you’re watching the road ahead – and most dangerously true if you’re watching your cell phone. Kidding! But since its installation at the new location on July 3, 2013, the effusive sign is rapidly becoming a beloved Houston landmark.
The giant, all-inclusive, three-dimensional love letter to Houston was the creation of David Adickes, the Houston area sculptor responsible for some of Houston’s most larger-than-life public art.
When discussing the inspiration for his “We Love Houston” sign, Adickes cited iconographic images from both coasts. He said the infamous Hollywood sign was the primary motivation, with an additional influence from the ubiquitous “I Love New York” logo.
“I wanted ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ because it’s a shared experience. We all love Houston, don’t we?” Adickes told CultureMap. But his individual devotion to Houston remains clear, given that Adickes funded the entire project himself.
The Huntsville-born artist says the new work reflects his affection for his adopted hometown, which, incidentally, he does not perceive as having been “insufficiently loved.”
Although the sign is a public display, both the sign and the land it is installed on are not public property. They both still belong to sculptor and creator Adickes.
I’m hoping this will become an iconic image of Houston and someday moved to a location where it will be seen by all Houstonians easily!
In our new home in Houston, we created a travel wall in our living room of black and white prints.The last image you see here, will be added to the art gallery hopefully this week.
It is always amazing, to see what each city has to offer in your travels, isn’t it?
Laurie
XXOO
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Pride in Photos 
This is wonderful. I wish we could take down the Hollywood sign that can be seen from all over the Los Angeles area and replace it with We (Heart) Los Angeles… so much more meaningful!
I so agree my friend!
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I love his sign too Laurie. It is so colourful and projects such a positive image.
What a wonderful edition to your wall of art!!
Definitely clever. Well done!!1
cool!!!
The joy of travel is to see/experience the individualism of the places we visit – and this looks to be a joyful experience!
Great sign. Makes me want to go and pay a visit.
A wonderful work of art and what a fantastic tribute to Houston! Love it in both color and b&w!
What an iconic sign and so much fun!
Very nice piece of artwork!! Now that is what I call City Spirit!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
So creative and colourful and love the B&W as well Laurie. Great idea with the gallery on your wall hon. Stunning captures. 😀
Even though it doesn’t reveal the colors, that B&W image is eye catching! What a great story and how cool that the artist funded the project himself.
By the way, i’d love to see your travel wall. Super idea!
What a wonderful sign Laurie!…I love that it says “We.” Thank you for all the tours of your new artsy neighborhood 🙂
Ha…so colourful, but your B&W conversion works too.
I really like your last interpretation. Reminds me of a vintage postcard that advertises a city.
Lived in Dallas and never made it to Houston! Great picture of a great sign! Love your idea of a travel wall. 🙂
Nice crayon like colors. I hope this new location is better than the older one.
Travel wall – I like it. 🙂 We use to visit Houston at least once a year for many years.
Everybody should have a travel wall of their life travels.
Houston is a great city! Thank you for the cool post, Laurie!
It’s a great sign, Laurie. I’m sure I too would would love Houston, if I got to visit there. 🙂
Now that’s what I call hometown pride – awesome!
This is a really wonderful sign, Laurie!
Wishing you a great week ahead.
It’s interesting how a sign or logo can define a city or area. I think Houston is on to something here, with it’s warm, colorful version that seems to shout “welcome!”
You are right, Elisa, the sign shouts welcome! 🙂
How could you not!? 🙂 Fun series, Laurie!
Ooooo, I love this! What a great sign. So glad you are enjoying your new stomping grounds!
AWESOME …. how DO you find these things? BTW, will we get a peek at your “travel wall” sometime in the future … ?????
How fun is that!
This is a sign that I could easily grow very fond of and feel connected to, well done!
As we drove from England to Scotland I was amazed to see a giant sign visible from the highway; a huge angel. I had never heard of this “Angel of the North” before, otherwise I’d planned a stop to make photos. 😉 Later I noticed a tiny spot on my map, the sign is so famous it’s on the maps… Anyway, I was so happy to have my eyes open and admiring the beautiful countryside. 🙂 It’s more than frightening though, how many drive and have their eyes on their smart phones, but that’s a different subject …
All the best Laurie, hope you are all well and doing fine!
Big hug, Dina
When I saw the sign I had a feeling that the artist was inspired by the “Hollywood” sign in Los Angeles. This one is prettier though. ☺
What a lovely and colourful sign!