ancient inscriptions

graffiti

(ɡræˈfiːtiː)

pl n, sing -to (-təʊ)

1. (sometimes with singular verb) drawings, messages, etc, often obscene, scribbled on the walls of public lavatories, advertising posters, etc

2. (Archaeology) archaeol inscriptions or drawings scratched or carved onto a surface, esp rock or pottery

vb, past part graffitiing or graffiting

3. (intr; often passive) to be inscribed or defaced with graffiti: the wall was graffitied with offensive material.

4. to inscribe or draw graffiti on (a wall, etc)

[C19: graffito from Italian: a little scratch, from graffio, from Latin graphium stylus, from Greek grapheion; see graft¹]

grafˈfitist n

 

Collins English Dictionary

 

 

So often graffiti photography amounts to little more than reproducing someone else's art - the colourful images that decorate the surface of our city life. However, graffiti tells a more ancient story. Steeped in obscenity and thumbing a nose to authority it scratches a deeper itch.

 

kindness died

 

beauty and the beast

 

butchery

really?

love hides

risen

what lies beyond

death amongst the weed

 

tagged

conflict

second conflict

one way

the temple of graffiti

and in the end

 

postcards from the sea - no. 2

It's the second day of our Brighton adventure and Mandy and I are up bright and early. We join the steady stream of parents and children on their way to schools and supermarkets and coffee shops and the endless mundane, profoundly beautiful things that make up everyday life.

The sun shines - it's a good day to be alive and random graffiti provides the perfect backdrop.

Breakfast is taken in the rather splendid Bohemia, a bar come restaurant, come nightclub which boasts award-winning toilet facilities. Mandy explores these whilst I order a veggie special for her and a full English for me. Delicious!

During the course of our morning repast we decide to construct a series of Oblique Strategies for photographers based on the ground-breaking work of Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt in the 1970s. In essence the concept of an oblique strategy is to open a path through a creative rut or impasse.

Here's what we came up with ...

• balance on one foot 
• brag like you've got a tail
• you are now six
• just jump or skip
• turn around
• look up
• stop taking photographs
• shake a random stranger's hand
• take a picture of something that's not there
• take something yellow home with you
• put it out of focus
• take it with your eyes closed
• imagine sadness
• sit on the floor
• think pink
• just don't
• I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours

Please be advised no hallucinogenic drugs were involved in the construction of this list.

Breakfast consumed it's a leisurely stroll toward the East Pier, the rendezvous point for The Fujicast Meet. En route we take in a deserted bookstall, an itinerant Brighton & Hove Albion supporter and the water-aisle at Aldi.

The Fujicast folks are great! We soon feel at ease and before you know it we're safely ensconced in the legendary Palm Court Restaurant, chowing down on yet another plate of chips as a fascinating podcast is recorded.

 

 

 

Our post-lunch aerobic workout is a leisurely stroll traversing the length of the pier. The flashing neon-lit world of the amusement arcade awaits us at the far end.

Onward then to the shoreline, retracing our steps from yesterday evening. The sea shimmers, strangers smile, it's a happy place to be.

Time now to return to the town. We dodge in and out of the Indian summer sun, finding refuge in the shadows.

 

digbeth graffiti

The Christmas treat for our photography group is a night-time visit to Digbeth. We start by the Custard Factory, famed for its fantastic displays of graffiti art.