On the Periphery

This little shack is like most of it's kind; tucked away behind a strip mall, in a vacant lot. It's original purpose has been long ago forgotten and time, blackberries and graffiti artists have their way with it. - Fern

Graffiti

The artworks pictured here are selections from a couple of walls of graffiti on Discovery Street here in downtown Victoria. Most of what is on the walls are what I think are called "tags" - text signatures so distorted as to be almost illegible, such as the one above. But here and there are representational works like those pictured below. I can understand the representational drawings below as "art" but "tags" leave me mystified. Artists traditionally sign their work but the signature is not considered to be artistic expression in itself. I suspect there is more to "tags" than a juvenile "Kilroy was here" ego statement or joy in calligraphy but I must confess to being suspicious of art that requires much intellectual support. Any ideas?

A Hidden Surprise

I recently took a short cut down an alley and discovered this amazing piece of artwork on the back of a row of businesses and restaurants. I know graffiti is controversial but when you come around a corner and are presented with a work of this size and incredible skill, I for one can't help but feel appreciation for the skill that went into it. I think there is a youth center of some kind close by and hope that this a collaborative project and not vandalism. - Fern

Random Acts of Art

While graffiti is controversial and the subject of much debate, I can't help but love that there are people out there that feel like celebrating their city by adding a little touch of beauty to what is otherwise a blank surface. - Fern

Landscape with Graffiti

...And Another ASTK

This is the third paste-up by local graffiti artist ASTK that I have posted here. I find these interesting for several reasons.They are stencils that are obviously prepared elsewhere and then stapled to wooden telephone poles here and there throughout the city. Those I've photographed have all been in Vic West but some have been spied in other neighborhoods. They have a very distinctive style and use consistent media. Even if they weren't all signed "ASTK" they would be easy to identify. The subjects are personalities from pop culture but I don't have any idea as to the reasoning behind the selection of subjects. Whether one likes them or not, there is no doubt that all these features make it clear there is an artistic consciousness behind these works that raises them to a level above what is normally considered to be graffiti. HERE is a link to the two earlier ASTK posts on this blog. HERE are some more and some thoughts on this kind of art. And HERE are another collector's finds on flickr.

Another ASTK

In early October I posted a photo of a "paste up" by local graffiti artist ASTK. The subject was Ricky of the "Trailer Park Boys" television show. Commenter Ngawangchodron mentioned that she had posted one of Bubbles and Conky by the same artist from the same show. Since then I've been on the lookout for any more of these paste ups by ASTK and so I was happy to see a new one yesterday morning on Wilson Street in Vic West. I think this is Steve Carrell who plays office manager Michael Scott in the American version of the television series, "The Office."

Ricky?

Here is something I've seen on some of my walks lately; it's not really graffiti but more like gratuitous art in that the public environment is not used as a canvas but as a gallery, a place to display art that is prepared elsewhere. Graffiti stencil art is a bit like this as well and perhaps there is a little Banksy inspiration in this. I'm not 100% sure about the subject here but I'm guessing it's Ricky of Trailer Park Boys fame.

Urban Landscape

On Fisgard Street.

Johnson Street Bridge Graffiti

There's lots to read on the Johnson Street Bridge but the above note pasted onto a girder particularly appealed to my warped sense of humour. It raises tagging to a new level.
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What's not so funny is that Victoria's landmark Johnson Street Bridge is slated for demolition. If you have an opinion about this or want to find out more, visit the Johnson Street Bridge Victoria BC website.

Johnson Street Bridge Responds to Imminent Demise

The message below, "...your government sucks", may actually have been exuded by the girders themselves as the Johnson Street Bridge's response to City Council's unilateral decision to scrap it.Check out the Johnson Street Bridge Victoria BC website for news and views on the fate of the "Blue Bridge."

Fun!

Wildfire Organic Bakery and Cafe Gallery

On Quadra Street right opposite the former Baptist church pictured here last week is the Wildfire Organic Bakery and Cafe. The owners have embraced graffiti or street art to the point of allowing two sides of their building to be extensively painted by local artists. Pictured here is one side that usually has two large paintings. These seem to change every few months and are always interesting. I very much admire seeing "unofficial" art like this and applaud the Wildfire and its artists for being open-minded and generous enough to share these creations with us freely.