Can you find the photographer?
Those of you who have followed “Your Daily Picture” for the last 6 years know that I have a penchant for graffiti. Not the plain old tagging, although that also can be seen as an ever more intricate art form. Rather I like the kind that is depicting, with elements of fantasy, wit, social criticism and above all, COLOR.
Many of you have seen what I brought home from Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Istanbul, Paris, Miami Beach, Toulouse and good old Bedford Stuyvesant or other parts of NYC. Only Italy in 2015 was a bust. No clue why it’s not happening there, or why I didn’t find the relevant spots. Probably hanging out in too many churches during that trip.
In any event, Mexico City rules. No idea why, but the remarkable thing there is that you find impressive, interesting, intricate and/or charming murals everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Graffitti is not restricted to particular hip neighborhoods, or those less accessible, or those least controlled by the forces of order and homogeneity. I had originally thought I might join one of the guided tours for graffiti fans that exist in CDMX just as in other capitals of the world, but realized soon enough there is no need to spend those $25. What I found all by myself is creative, funny, and has a sense of color that reminds me of the European expressionists of the 20th century. For that matter, it has comparable emotional, even spiritual qualities; Marc, Munch, Gauguin, Kirchner and Kandinsky and Nolde would have felt right at home at this scene.
Don’t take my word for it – judge for yourself.
Historical References
Earthquake
Faces
Whimsey
And of course your daily wildlife …..
And it wouldn’t be Mexico if there weren’t a skull somewhere (more on that later.)
And in case you want to read and not look at pictures, here are links to the eternal “what is art?” discussion….
http://www.museumofthecity.org/project/graffiti-art-or-vandalism/
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/11/when-does-graffiti-become-art
Deb Meyer
Amazing!
Steve Tilden
Yes, amazing, and as always I travel with you as if in your handbag.
Send this to our fool in the White House?
friderikeheuer@gmail.com
Good that I have a big handbag, or backpack, more precisely….
Karla Forsythe
Remarkable pictures of remarkable pictures. What dull lives we lead in comparison! Thanks for taking us there.
Ken Hochfeld
WOW!!! Most impressive.