Everyone has to scratch on walls somewhere or they go crazy
–Michael Ondaatje

In my first blog I traced back the word “paracosm” in relation to my overall photographic work and vision. Today I’d like to tell you about the roots of “wall art” in the cities.

The complexity of how and why and where wall art appears is beyond the scope of this simple blog and can be found in the scholarly work of academics of one sort or another. I thought it best to just post some cogent thoughts and let you as the reader come to your own conclusions…at least at this point. Believe me, this will not be my last words on the subject.

Art of the City Wall…

has its roots in Dadaism, abstract realism, pop and artistic disenfranchisement

engages viewers in public discourse without the need for museums or galleries

mixes reality with visual fiction in uncensored visual candor

represents one freedom of expression within society

mimics abstract art in line and form and color

serves as “proof of life” within the community

enhances an otherwise sterile and barren environment

disappears with time, human intervention and the natural elements

has overlapping meanings and discourses within urban cultures

represents the “Beauty of the Random”