See that house at right? It looks pretty normal — could maybe use some curtains. But something's a bit off... That's because artist Chris Toepfer plugged the windows with plywood that's been painted to look like fake windows. According to Medill Reports, Toepfer has tricked out the windows on more than 200 Chicago homes, helping to give foreclosure-ridden inner-city neighborhoods the appearance of stability. Toepfer has also taken his talents to Cleveland and Detroit. "There is a lot of evidence that it actually increases property value on the blocks with vacant buildings," he says in a video on the Medill site. That, and it provides gainful employment for one enterprising artist. It just goes to show you, there's nothing a fresh coat of paint can't fix.
· Illusion of windows creates authentic results [Medill Reports]
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