Tag Archives: graffiti

Imponderable #63: Newcastle England

5 Oct

October 5, 2012

If this does not sound like a Monty Python skit I don’t know what does.

                       

I miss the good of days of graffiti, when “I never wipe” was plastered across my neighborhood.

This is an example of what I always tell people: A good education does not mean you are smart. If this guy had a shred of common sense he would have known he’d get caught. Of course if he had common sense he would not have vandalized the cars to begin with.

Why would a smart university professor be so stupid as to vandalize cars in his own neighborhood with excellent vocabulary words? Especially considering that he has already been outspoken in his opposition to the cars?

The question is Imponderable.

 

Physical Graffiti

28 Jun
 
 

June 28, 2010

 

I am not a fan of graffiti. Call it spray can art, freedom of expression, whatever, if you spray it on private property it is defacement and a crime.

That said, I can and do appreciate some of the forms it takes. I’ve seen wonderful murals sprayed on sides of buildings and great designs atop water towers.

 

I’ve also seen strange tags and mottos. This is one I’ve seen in at least three places in Brooklyn: “I NEVER WIPE!” or simply “NEVER WIPE!”

Is the “artist” making a statement about his strange bathroom habits? Are we being encouraged to follow suit? Your guess is as good as mine. But it beats the “I STILL KILL” I’ve seen around Staten Island.

Here is the first one I noticed:

NEVER WIPE!

Greenwood Cemetery

It is sprayed on a wall alongside a bus depot across from Greenwood Cemetery. I have no idea how long it has been there but it feels like forever. I drive past it a few times each week and I can’t remember not seeing it. It is in a slightly odd location and cannot be missed as you drive down as the road does a bit of a zigzag and at one point the tag is right in front of you.

I have no clue who did it but I used to know a great woman who lived nearby. (And then I totally screwed things up.) I doubt it was Michelle, but if it was, I won’t tell.

Bay Parkway

This is much more recent, within I’d guess the last year and a half. Unlike the previous one, this one includes the “I.” Does he work from a big stencil and the letter didn’t fit on the other wall? Theere is an identical tag on the other side of the lot, but without the arrows.

Avenue P (1)

Avenue P (2)

These two pictures were taken on the same block within fifteen feet of each other. As you can see, one is older and defaced. Did the artist do the second one after seeing how bad the first one looked? That brings up an interesting question- does this guy check up on his work?  Does he replace work that has been damaged or defaced? Notice that one has the “I” and the other, presumably older one, does not. Is the “I” a recent addition? Also notice that these both lack the exclamation point.

If anyone has spotted any other “I NEVER WIPE” graffiti, please let me know.