Save Dongcheng With These Six Hipster Traps

Two years ago, artists Jeff Greenspan and Hunter Fine were seen busy setting traps on the sidewalks of New York. The traps were lined with a potent mix of bait: a yellow bicycle chain, a Holga camera, a can of PBR, sunglasses and a pack of American Spirits. The artists were trying to catch one of the most pestilent sub-breeds to ever walk the urban habitat – the Hipster.

Over the past couple of years, Hipsters have infiltrated the alleys, cafes and bike lanes of the inner-second ring road. You surely have seen one. The New York Times even wrote about them. The Hipsters have obtained a semiotic status, signifying subculture in this city: Hipster brings to mind Beijing; Beijing brings to mind Hipster ... oh crap. How do you feel about this?

In 2011, Greenspan and Fine's objective was to "protect neighborhoods from infestation and collect different species (of subcultures) for further study." Is it now our time to step up like they did? Should we protect an ancient neighborhood from Hipster infestation?

To hunt down a Dongcheng Hipster in its purest, most odious form, we surmise that the following six ingredients may be used as bait. Please suggest more.

1. Lens-less Glasses

2. A Pack of Zhongnanhai

3. A Print out of a "Hip" Restaurant Review from Smart Beijing

4. Feiyue Sneakers

5. A Stubby of Vedett

6. A Plane Ticket to North Korea

Nothing suggests the Hipster you catch will need to be registered at the local police station, but a leash is recommended. They are easily distracted by any food or item that they imagine is authentic, and it will probably take 20 Chicken McNuggets delivered at 2am to stop their barking.

Photos: gothamist.com, www.yesstyle.com, pinterest.com, tygerpipes.com, feiyues-shoes.com, unity.lv, Iain Shaw