'Hopper Lives' Ad Posters Ignite Nostalgia On The Streets Of L.A.

'Hopper Lives' ads along Venice Boulevard. Photo by Lauren Lloyd.

You may have turned a corner recently and encountered the soft, slightly doleful stare of the late Dennis Hopper. We'd heard word about the citywide Hopper takeover, but he still managed to sneak up on one of our Venice-based editors just one block from her apartment this morning. During an AM stroll, she met his gaze and found herself happily face to face with one of her favorite actors.

Large posters reading "HOPPER LIVES" adorn the corner of Venice and Lincoln Boulevards. And apparently, these multiple gazing Hoppers can be found all over L.A.

Is Hopper alive?

Sadly, no, the Hollywood iconoclast is still deceased. These posters are merely ads for a Vans campaign.

Before his passing in May of 2010, Hopper collaborated with Vans shoes to "create a limited edition collection of footwear and apparel featuring some of his favorite work," says the Vans microsite.

Hopper's art, film and photography retrospective, embellished on hats, shirts, jackets and sneaks, will be available at Urban Outfitters nationwide this fall.

While we're not bursting at the seams in excitement for the fashion line, we do enjoy seeing the gray and white visage of one of our favorite late Venetians on a daily basis. Now where's that copy of Blue Velvet...