Viva Le Rat

Contra-Band street art spreads across Downtown LA

Going into this year we felt nervously hopeful that change could and would come in the US. Inspired by the Chinese Zodiac for 2008, Contra-Band came up with this poetic illustration of the Rat and inside it the changes we saw coming. In true Blek Le Rat style we hand-pasted our critters in artistic placements around the city – from Skid Row to Staples Center and Disney Hall.

As the first in the cycle of 12 Chinese zodiac signs, people born in the Year of the Rat are natural leaders with a strong drive for success. According to legend, the order of the cycle was decided by all animals racing across a river to the Jade Emperor. Seeking a faster route, the Rat and the Cat snuck onto the back of the Ox. Wanting to avoid competition, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water. When approaching the bank the Rat jumped from the back of the Ox, winning the race and its place as the first sign of the zodiac cycle. It’s the perfect animal to symbolize an election year, right?

Well, as it turns out not all Rats are born wealthy and have bad manners. 2008 is the Year of the Earth Rat. Earth Rats are very stable, establishing solid roots early in their lives as a strong basis for their future successes. They take a slow and steady approach to acquiring wealth and influence, avoiding risks that could compromise their achievements. They seek leadership to make change happen for the rest of us. That’s the Rat we’d like to see take 1st place.