“First we look at the hills in the painting,
Then we look at the painting in the hills.”
– Li Liweng, 17th century
On 45th Street. I consider this street art. Some may call it graffiti.
The badge says “Hello My Name Is Douchebag Californian”. Near Paper Delights.
Beneath the poster of Japanese manga warrior babe, the badge says “Hello My Name Is Oops I’m Sorry”. Near Harold’s Lighting.
Tree shrine. Chalkboard reads “I want to make world peace. I want to make 20 people feel loved today. I hope to turn into a Dinosaur today. My mom was wrong, the sun isn’t mine!” (guessing last word). Near Chocolati.
I’ve been photographing our street art for several years now–a kind of photographic record of urban art culture. Particularly interesting are the transformations the art and artists make over time.
My photos are in two sets on flickr, (vols. I & 2)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marywit/sets/72157619523367934/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marywit/sets/72157603609237114/
hi
people are afriaid to erase the wishes on the blackboard. but now it has been modified that that you should erase a wish.
“Hello My Name is Douchebag Californian” is ART? Nice. Just when I thought Seattleites weren’t just a bunch of stuck up assholes, you go and prove me wrong. Don’t worry, I can’t wait to move back to California either.
Anon – I’m a Seattle native and I don’t get it either. Not sure why that would be considered art. And, it seems very un-Wallingford-like to use the word douchebag without including Babalu in the same sentence.
Brian, I’ve been raging about this post all morning and you cracked me up. Thanks.
I do apologize for any offense the photograph of that name tag has caused. I’m originally a Californian myself (and not above acting like a d-bag on occasion), and it made me laugh. Art does sometimes offend. But I am truly sorry about the offense.
I’m not ordinarily someone who gets offended by art, but in this case I fail to see dumb xenophobia as anything other than what it is. Helen, since you’re a CA native you must have experienced some difficulty when you first moved here. Or maybe I’m alone in that. I’ve only been here for three months and so far Seattle is not the friendliest place I’ve been. It’s a real bummer to try to get involved in a new community and be continually reminded that where I’m from is some kind of lighting rod for ridicule.
Thanks for the apology. I’ll try to keep an open mind.
Since it is a name tag, the person could have been wearing it themselves, and thus poking fun at themselves. Or it could be referring to a specific individual who annoyed them. That it’s ambiguous and makes us speculate is what makes it art for me, rather than a direct statement. Condolences for your less-than-warm welcome here! Part of the dislike of California might actually be envy in some form (I’m only guessing)?
@anon, I don’t think your troubles getting involved in a new community are related to you being a Californian. It’s just the Seattle ice. It’ll get better.
BTW, I just got back from a quick trip to SoCal last night. It was more lovely than I had expected, but definitely good to be home!
Those stickers are not art. The graffiti department has SO many calls for stickers like that and they cannot keep up. They are just wasting tax payers money.
Thanks, Kat. All the above pictured “art” is crap, not art. Stickers on poles or municipal signs = non-art, close to the tagger-punk activity. The chalk board hanging on a tree = fun. Writing on the tree = Flintstone tagging.
There are many ways to express one’s self… not through vandalism…
Well. I am a California Native. Big Sur, San Luis Obispo area. I have never felt any of this “Seattle Ice”. Though I don’t run in those sorts of circles I suppose. I freakin love it here! As for the art…art is anything one chooses to express themselves with through on. A good friend of mine said, “It’s not art till someone hates it.” This may very well be true. As for the tree…It was sett up by children as a place for people to make wishes and prayers and leave adornments with those intentions. “Flinstone tagging” is cute but…Really? It’s chalk…Comes from the earth…washes away…Those are peoples wishes and prayers (be it not all) not vandalism.
Thank you Kat and SeattleAlan. Those stickers are no definition of art when they’re plastered on public property. The chalk board is a cute idea–writing on the bark of a living tree in any medium is not.
That’s our story, and we’re (iyqtoo, Kat and myself) sticking with it.