1. What inspired you to start this project?

The main inspiration for this project was the people of New York City. Having the ability to access this many people in such a confined space is something every artist should take advantage of. Not only are we all jammed together on this island, a lot of the people here are full of creative energy and need a release.

2. What block did you find the T-Rex working?

I found the tyrannosaurus rex between Amsterdam and Broadway on 107th street. I couldn't help but take it in, it looked lost. Due to its illiteracy and lacking the ability to speak, I felt like it had no other place to go. The expenses did make me stop my checks to Children International, but what are you going to do?

3. What has the overall response been to your flyers?

About forty percent of them have been detailed stories of how they have lost this fictional pet. They name it, list things it likes and usually explain how it escaped. Some are just one liners and pretty lame, but my favorites are the ones that use this as an outlet to tell another kind of story that really doesn't have much to do with a lost tyrannosaurus rex.

4. Do you think the disregard to the T-Rex is a reflection on the way our society treats the elderly?

For sure. There are a lot of similarities, the constant hunching over, it being millions of years old, and the crankiness it gets when it doesn't eat before five. Just because it is not in the prime of its existence doesn't mean it is not a functional part of our society. It has a lot of knowledge to share and I think we need to get over its extreme maturity.

5. Has this project lived up to your expectations?

This project totally exceeded my expectations. I started by hanging about 40 flyers just to see what would happen. Over 600 postings later I realized I have created a forum for creative writing. Being a teacher I love to inspire others, and by the responses I get I have been motivated to create more work of my own.

6. Did the T-Rex throw any Jurassic Park/Whitney Houston temper tantrums while you cared for it?

Yes, and it still does. I don't know if it is still accustom to living the diva lifestyle it had in the mid-nineties, but it is about as bitchy as they come. The constant requests for lukewarm soups, manicures and rose pedals in its cage really get to me after a while.

7. Do you think that the anonymous interaction that strangers have with T-Rex reveals something about their own self?

Definitely. I think the people that respond are a lot like me, they are taking a chance creating something that they have no idea if or when there will be a response. They do it just for the love of creating a story. They want to be heard, they want to share and entertain. You gotta love that.

8. Does the T-Rex have a Godzilla complex?

The T-Rex actually has more of a JAWS complex. After the blockbuster hit Jurassic Park, it has been all down hill for the T-Rex. I mean, JAWS II was pretty good, but who really remembers any of the other Jurassic Park movies? They actually had a Jurassic Park III, but that was all about the raptors. Let's face it, the T-Rex is the only creature that has become extinct twice, once in the real world, and once in Hollywood.

9. How does the NYPD feel about your postings?

They think it's funny. I went to court the other day for unlawful posting of an advertisement, and I believe it was the highlight of their day. My hearing was sandwiched between a case of a 16 year old spitting on an attorney because her 23 year old boyfriend had to serve 30 days in prison and a handicapped man accused of parking illegally...what a day. I was psyched because I got off work on one of the most beautiful days in September and didn't have to pay the $145.00 fine.

10. Has T-Rex found its rightful owner?

Not yet, my plan is to give it away to the most convincing/creative story. I have yet to decide how long I will continue the project, but as long as I am still passionate about receiving the stories and making the postings, it could be a long time. As a kid I was into graffiti and some how posting these flyers gives me a taste of that thrill; seeing your art on the streets is always exciting.

On The Web | www.jasonruff.com