3 Times Traffic Was Actually Kind Of Beautiful

Traffic is generally unfavorable, especially when you’re in it.

It extends a commute, pollutes the air with idling car emissions, and creates a major headache for drivers. From outside of the traffic jam, though, there can be a difference in how traffic feels and looks.

Here are some examples of people making the most of the aesthetic that traffic can provide. These examples show the softer side of too many people and too little space.

1. Retro Rides

Artist Chris Dorley-Brown took photos in the 1980’s of a colorful London traffic jam and he shares this little slice of time in his collection Drivers in the 1980s.

The vibrant car colors that we popular at the time are harder to come by now and most drivers have their windows up and tinted because of the popularization of air condition. This makes a May morning in the late ‘80’s nearly impossible to recreate.

You can view the gallery and the interview here to see the magic traffic jam that defines a decade.

2. L.A. Holiday

In November of 2016, Los Angeles gave a news helicopter quite the show. The Almost-Thanksgiving traffic was so dense that it filled every lane at a very slow pace. Bright white headlights traveled next to a solid wall of red brake lights to create a beautiful ribbon of stopped traffic.

This 405 gallery was caught by accident and had an exciting reaction from the internet. You can see the video of the L.A. traffic jam here.

3. The Traffic Tree

Okay, this isn’t exactly the traffic itself. This sculpture went up in the middle of a roundabout after a real “Plane Tree” was in such bad health due to pollution and removed. It has become a tourist attraction and icon for the city. The only thing, it’s not an actual traffic signal.

Though the lights do change at intervals, cars are warned not to obey them. They are for decoration only. You can see the whimsical traffic inspired sculpture here.

Artists, nature, and luck create an iconic example of how beautiful life can be if we look at the right angle. Good luck remembering that next time you’re sitting in a traffic jam.

Slow down and smell the emissions every now and then.