
New York City Photo from pinterest.com
dubious claims to
expressionist art
loudly drawn
vivid pictographs
mutilate metaphors
carrying currents of
faint social conscience
bold voices of vandals
in broad primal strokes
of indelible ego
and stylized loyalty
speak an impulsive
post-modern
aesthetic of aerosol ink
the tattoos of the city
I used to hate graffiti, but have seen some that is awesome. There was a blog post last week of some in Rio that belongs in museums. But otherwise, and as usual, I can identify.
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as ever a matter of taste – and civil ordinance
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Tattoos is nice. if its well done or adds to a place I am all for it, but then again, I am all for freedom of expression and it is subjective…so it is a topic of conflict. Great artistry in them there words though.
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I have similar mixed feelings
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Love that last line, what a great expression.
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much appreciated, richard
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Welcome 🙂
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The tell`tale signs of a rootless self`referential culture with nothing left to believe in except anarchy . . .
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you missed your calling as a sociologist – but then again, perhaps you didn’t
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Loved the phrase “tattoos of the city”! So very appropriate and a matter of personal taste
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thanks kindly
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You’re very welcome, Paul
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I completely get the Tatoos of the City. That makes sense. Some are brilliant, and some just shouldn’t have happened.
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the same can be said of all things we do
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some things do
look better, imho
with a little
face-lift 🙂
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some people, too, I suppose
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I like the picture. I remember visiting an alley in Cuba known for its striking graffiti. It fits your image of tattoos of a city. 🙂
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I’ve seen many such places
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Yes, a form of expressionist art…. very trendy in many cities! Such a lovely poem, Paul, you’ve depicted it so well.
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many thanks, iris
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My pleasure, Paul. 🙂
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As others have pointed out, the last line really sums it up. Graffiti is part of our anthropology!
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going all the way back to the caves of Lascaux
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Hi Paul The cry of the unknown soul! Thank you for liking my poem “The Ships!” Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
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my pleasure, as always, malc
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Graffiti as artistic expression has its merits yet is also a beauty (or to the contrary) in the eyes of the beholder. One person’s treasure is perceived another person’s junk! As a career property/facility manager/administrator for thirty years, I was called upon with frequency to address this very issue or expression depending on one’s reception of such ‘artisan expression’.
Where invited (on rare occasion) there was a generally warm and respective acceptance yet more often that not it was a constant source of property owner frustration and a costly restorative cleanup. The perception of deflated property value will always far outweigh artistic merit and whatever our creative craft, there is a rightful place for its presentation.
Such ‘narrow-minded’ perspective goes against the grain of personal expression yet a reality I had to deal with and address as instructed by our clients forthwith! There were occasions where I was suitably impressed though client responsibilities were first and foremost.
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the vast majority of what I’ve seen in my travels is straight up vandalsim
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loved your post! I just put up a short piece on the Denver street art Crush Festival, similar vibe to this!^. Feel free to check it out 🙂 https://youthsgonewonky.com/2016/09/25/crushin-on-rino/
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thanks kindly – will do
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Pingback: Graffiti — Poesy plus Polemics | Black Freq Sheets
thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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