“The Cries of San Francisco,” at Southern Exposure through July 2, takes to the streets this Saturday, when some 50-odd peddlers will work the streets around Mint Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. They’ll be selling everything from dirty words to emergency glitter to masks that disguise the wearer as a piece of sidewalk.

The project, organized by artist Allison Smith, was inspired by The Cries of London, which document, in various ways, the diverse street-sellers that once roamed London. It’s an interesting choice of theme. In the last few years the public hawking of wares, by everyone, has become much more the norm. The boom in food carts would be one example. Projects like Shadowshop, at SFMOMA, would be another.

The recent gallery opening of “The Cries of San Francisco” was a mob scene. A few peddlers even sold things, despite the conceptual nature/questionable utility of many of their wares.

A few sample cries:

Torreya Cummings

But Friends! That’s not all. We have tractor parts for your sidewalk reclamation garden project! Actual vintage tobacco! Crystallized white sugar! How about some pre-revolution glitter for the disco emergency!

Erik Bakke

Hey there, hello, hi,
You can own your favorite bad word.
It’s free.
It’s free and safe.

Maria De Los Angeles Burr

The unsell-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-ble.
The unsell-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-ble.
The unsell-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-ble.

Ignacio Zulueta

(SUNG)
TWOOOOO DOLLAH DRAMAAAAA
TWOOOOO DOLLLAH DRAMAAAA

BRING SOME CULTURE HOME TO YOUR MAMMA
BUY YOURSELF A TWO DOLLAR DRAMA!

John Daniel

Feelers, all I sell are feelers
Segmented waving feelers
Come and buy today!

Coleopteran,
Hymenopteran,
Siphonopteran!

Hexapod, Diplopod, Arthropods all!

Jeremiah Rushing

YEAH, YEAH. I GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED RIGHT HERE.

P.S. Full list of cries here.