Snapshots of Tauranga #43

There are no fence sitters; you either love it or hate it.

Garish, stylised, in-your-face, radical contemporary art. Graffiti art. Still art nonetheless.

Modern graffiti has been around in Philadelphia since the 1970s, when people began scrawling their names on surfaces. Many of us would consider tagging one of life’s oddest habits. Nowadays, that antisocial, attention-seeking behaviour has become “creative art unto itself”.

And here in Tauranga, it has its own exclusive gallery, hidden conveniently away from the gaze of non-believers and the unappreciative art snobs. I’m sure I belong in that unappreciative snob classification.

I see it; I experience this ever-evolving art gallery, located outdoors, in all weather, a free gallery beneath the sweeping arches of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge when out walking.

These modern masters might last a week or so, then they’re obliterated by another artist’s urges. No offence intended, none taken. So take the path beneath Trinity Wharf off Dive Crescent, hug the high tide to the bridge, stop, absorb and discuss because you might enjoy the exposure to this art form.

Most of us have to accept that one person’s appreciation is another person’s aggravation. That I am certain will never change, no matter whether the art is laid bare on public walls or in million-dollar art galleries.

As I personally find most graffiti art unattractive, though I love “quality” street art.

What I also appreciate is that those who participate in graffiti are being creative out of sight, under the Tauranga Bridge, and are not defacing quality public art, a local wall, or your fence. So that’s a good thing, don’t you think?

Having declared my dislike of graffiti and my appreciation for Greerton’s annual yarn-bombing of trees, many could easily say I have double standards, since yarn bombing is a form of graffiti.

Who knew?

No outcry here, though, about that form of graffiti.

Like yarn bombing, which elevates a boring suburb to another level, the graffiti artists have really elevated the once-scary place for the homeless and drug users, which, by comparison, these days is almost gentrified under the bridge, into a vibrant, colourful living art form.

Having watched a street artist at work in many places here and overseas, it is a wonderful experience and form of entertainment in itself. Using either a brush or a can, the artist flourishes, sweeps, squirts, flicks, and dabs.

Outdoor Art, I have enjoyed

This outdoor exhibition is one I look forward to viewing later this year.

It has been running annually for a few years now alongside the waterfront on The Strand and coincides with the Young at Heart Festival, where we all get to celebrate the groovy older people in our community.

The organisers drew on the idiom to describe something ‘Popular and Fashionable’ and wanted our community to change the way that our older people are stereotyped and help kick ageism to the kerb.

Personally, I hope to continue pushing my boundaries and not age before my time. Keep doing the unpredictable; it keeps the younger ones on their toes.