Issue
Lois G. Rosenfeld, Photo of Graffiti Covered Tank, Belmont Hill, a western suburban area of Boston, 2022
'Unnurtured vs. Nature' - "On a walk in the woods of the western suburban area of Boston, I came upon this graffiti-covered rusted tank. I was having some anxiety and for me, the woods are a refuge where the natural world might soothe my soul; contrary to soothing, however, the images on this tank seemed to be crying for help, with anxiety and fear prevailing. I imagine that it was created by a number of young people who added to it over time." (LGR)
This graffiti is apparently on the grounds of the Metropolitan State Hospital, Massachusetts' last and largest institution for the mentally ill, built in 1930. (This land is now a nature preserve.)
Peter Gordon, Photo of Mural in Bogota, Columbia, 2023
"Straight after arrival I was struck by the size of this work as well as the clarity. Just off the plane and interested in birds the work spoke to me." (PG)
This Bogota mural is a collaboration by Lesivu and DJLU. The mural criticizes the government’s inability to deal with the cocaine trade (the parrots are slang code for cocaine). Zonotrichia capensis is the Latin name for the Rufous-collared sparrow. (This can be seen above the sparrow’s back, painted between green lines).
Deborah Strek, Photo at the Berlin Wall, 2017
"This photo captures the famous image of the “fraternal kiss” kiss between Brezhnev and Honecker in a photograph taken in 1979. This political piece is clearly a satirical view of the relationship between the two leaders. There’s a ‘wow’ feeling when you come upon it on the Berlin Wall; it’s massive and so relevant to the wall’s history." (DS)
Guy Moss, Photo of Angry Greeks, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2019
"On a trip to Greece and its islands in 2019, we were told that graffiti was keeping a lot of unemployed folks occupied and 'off the streets'. This photo, taken in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, well illustrates how creative people got. It was an immediate eye-catcher, kind of hypnotic." (GM)
Jennifer Coplon, Photo of Philadelphia's "Legacy" on Philadelphia's Mural Mile, 2011
"I was drawn to its vivid colors, intricate design, and compelling message of resilience and courage." (JC)
“Legacy" by Josh Sarantitis was painted in 2016. It is massive, measuring almost 10,000 square feet. It was produced by a collaboration of 5 public schools and many individuals, who hand laid over 1 million small glass mosaic tiles.
Jennifer Coplon, Photo of Philadelphia's "A People’s Progression Toward Equality," 2011
"I am particularly excited to see murals reflecting racial and social justice concerns as well as highlighting the work of urban artists and residents." (JC)
"A People’s Progression Toward Equality” is by Jared Bader, created in 2007. Located on the side of an apartment building in downtown Philadelphia, it has President Lincoln’s partial quote “With Malice Towards None, with Charity For All” at the top of the mural.
Jennifer Coplon, Photo of Mural in Philadelphia, PA, “Philadelphia Muses”, 2011
"I was intrigued by the complexity and fine details of this outdoor mural—placed on a wall at one end of a parking lot that takes our attention away from cars and urban blight on to art that requires thoughtful and concentrated viewing." (JC)
The above mural is entitled “Philadelphia Muses” by Meg Saligman, created in 1999. It is intended as a contemporary interpretation of the classical muses involved in a variety of today’s arts and creativity. There is an art machine on the right spinning out 9 spheres of art forms representing the works of Philadelphia artists related to sound, visual arts, the human spirit, performance, discovery, words, invention, movement, and crafts.