The Great Office Post-it Battle
The first shot in New York City's Post-it battle was fired one week ago - a simple "Hi" constructed out of the classic 3-by-3-inch sticky stationary - and snowballed into a very competitive and very public display of artistic expression from office building to office building high above lower Manhattan.
The office stationary has been transformed into artwork in the windows. One of the firms entrenched in the Post-it note war of attrition is the advertising agency, Biolumina. The ammunition is inventive; the strategy, calculating; and the effort, exhausting.
A message created with Post-it notes are seen in windows of 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, New York, May 18, 2016, where advertising agencies and other companies have started what is being called a "Post-it note art war" with employees in buildings across Canal street from each other creating colorful images in their windows with Post-it notes.
Post-it wars
Images of Angry Birds created with Post-it notes are seen on a window at the Horizon Media offices at 75 Varick Street in lower Manhattan, New York, May 18, 2016. Advertising agencies and other companies have started what is being called a "Post-it note art war" with employees in buildings across from each other on Canal street, creating colorful images in their windows with Post-it notes.
Post-it wars
Advertising agencies typically go to war over high-profile clients, ideas and talent. This Post-it was is a clear battle in creativity with everyone trying to top each other.
A message created with Post-it notes is seen in the windows of 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, New York, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
"This is kind of taking over our life," said Kristina Bostley, Advertising agency Biolumina's editorial manager. "A lot of work goes into what details we need to figure out and what colors we have on hand and then we execute. We are pretty serious about it."
Employees create an image on a window with Post-it notes at the Horizon Media offices at 75 Varick Street. New York City's Freedom Tower in seen through the window.
Post-it wars
Bostley believes the Post-it war helps boost creativity in the workplace. "I think it's actually sort of inspired us to become more creative in our day-to-day work, so I think it's kind of helping us along," Bostley said.
Part of an image crated with Post it notes is seen in a window at the offices of Havas Worldwide in lower Manhattan, New York, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
It's a friendly "war." Kristina Bostley, Biolumina's editorial manager said, "There's really no spying. We have communicated with the other building."
Employees create an image promoting pet cancer awareness month on a window with Post-it notes at the Horizon Media offices at 75 Varick Street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
A woman working at Horizon Media offices creates an image in the window at 75 Varick Street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
"It did bring a lot of us together ... We would go from floor to floor," Ilaan Waugh of Havas Worldwide said. "Everyone would go, 'What are you doing, what are you doing?' and you start to even help each other."
Images created with Post-it notes are seen in windows from the Havas Worldwide Media offices at 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
A falling man and the sign "Monday" is seen in windows at 75 Varick street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
Images created with Post-it notes are seen in windows from the Havas Worldwide Media offices at 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
An image of Spider Man created with Post-it notes is seen in windows at 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
Post-it note maker 3M is joining the fray, but they're staying neutral, sending supply kits to a number of firms on both sides.
Post-it notes at 200 Hudson street, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
Staff create a U.S. flag on a window at the Horizon Media offices at 75 Varick Street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
An image of the Snapchat logo made out Post-it notes is seen in the windows of Havas Worldwide at 200 Hudson Street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
Post-it wars
Apple and Batman logos symbols is seen in the windows of offices at 75 Varick Street in lower Manhattan, May 18, 2016.
"Yes, I am out to win. I'll admit it, yes," Ilana Waugh, an employee of Havas Worldwie said. Waugh's going big to win. One of her artistic works is a Batman figure that takes up six windows.
Post-it wars
Enjoy it while you can, because building management isn't wowed. One building's owner says the war must end by May 31 because they don't want Post-it notes on their windows for the next year.
A mannequin stands near images created with Post-it notes in windows at 200 Hudson street in lower Manhattan, New York, May 18, 2016.