Wall canvas

Why do I like these so much?

There is a cluster of industrial zoned blocks between the Gowanus Canal and Smith Street, that include bakeries, garages, and a gravel pit. As long as I can remember tag graffiti has adorned their walls, although I have noticed a fairly increased amount of activity during the last year.

One building is forever trying to paint over the scribbles, bubbles and loops. And ultimately, probably unknowingly, takes part in some sort of urban art creative process. The city expressed through the back and forth of medium and intent. To make one's voice heard. To cover things up. The marked absence and the evenly rolled, tightly controlled erasure may contain more meaning than the original splattered spray.

In a week, the tags will be back. And in the following days, more wide brush strokes of variations on white will cover them up. And so on and so on. And I continue as the spectator in this ever transforming quas-painting/installation.

Gowanus, Brooklyn