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 ācreative art unto itselfā.
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 alternative art gallery, located outdoors, in all weather, a free gallery beneath the sweeping arches of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge when out walking.
These so-called modern masters might last a week or so, then theyāre obliterated by another artistās 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 personās appreciation is another personās 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 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 thatās a good thing, don’t you think?
Having declared my dislike of graffiti and my appreciation for Greerton’s (a suburb in Tauranga) 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 for those who enjoy graffiti.
Outdoor Art, which 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 āPopular and Fashion’. They 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.
Life at No. 22 
I so agree with your viewpoint, Suze! I often find myself looking down my nose at ‘scrawl on walls’, but am stopped in my tracks by a billboard or electricity box beautifully accomplished. Worse, I skim past blog posts that celebrate random tagging. But it’s someone’s expression of self, and so much better than the homeless beneath your bridge xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting how street art became so popular around the world. Some of the best I’ve seen were in Portugal. Perhaps there’s only so many artists’ work that can be displayed in galleries. Homelessness isn’t going away any time soon here and around the world.
LikeLike
It’s a wider audience, isn’t it? Not everybody goes to galleries. I don’t imagine that art materials are cheap, and then you have to interest a gallery. I watch programmes on art, Suze, but it’s completely beyond me to create a portrait or a landscape. I can’t imagine not writing, in some form or other, so I expect an artist feels the same about art. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately the real artists have encouraged the scribblers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, thought-provoking comment, Derrick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to see good quality street art even if some images appeal more to me than others (as with all art, it’s very subjective). But like you I’m not a fan of random tagging. Very occasionally I see a tag that verges on the artistic and I can admire the effort that goes into it, but 95% of it seems to detract from the surface it covers whereas a lot of street art enhances surfaces such as plain walls, utility boxes etc. And I hate to see tagging that defaces street art!
Meanwhile like you I I hope to continue pushing my boundaries and not age before I have to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we’ve got to keep pushing those boundaries out. I couldn’t imagine life being anything but dull if I didn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some taggers have been channeled into doing art on designated spacesāmore than just letters, which doesnāt seem particularly creative to me.
The photo exhibit looks interesting and I like this yearās theme, too. The baboon photo is impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The baboon is a striking image and perhaps in a sad way. Was he saying, “Get me out of here.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel that those who simply cover every surface with initials and crude logos are effectively operating at the kindergarten level, like toddlers scrawling on the bedroom wall, but I appreciate well-planned and executed wall-art. I find it adds to the environment, even if some of the actual subject matter does not really appeal to me.
And as my wife keeps saying “To keep feeling young we need to be positive and active”. We both worried about being trapped and bored at home when we retired but after 18 months we are both busy, happy and loving it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your wife May has the right idea and having fun couple time is priceless.
LikeLike