Ukcivilityproject's Blog

This blog reflects the urban flaneur tradition: Ukcivilityproject's Blog
Although the title indicates a blog on civil society, it is in essence a blog about civility in the city. Are urban places civil or have we lost civility in urban life?

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Reverse Graffiti Art

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Here is something that baffles public officials, the cleaning of surfaces to create 'reverse graffiti' art. It is anarchist in nature because: How can you prosecute a person who cleans wall to create art."  Can this be considered vandalism?  Those who are urban flâneurs see the humor in such graffiti. Here are a few examples of reverse graffiti (the links also contain some interesting narrative):     (From Durban, South Africa, located at:  http://inhabitat.com/reverse-graffiti-south-africa n-artists-tag-walls-by-scrubbing-them-clean/ ) (Alexandre Orion – Skulls in  São Paulo, located at: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/35-greatest-works-of-reverse-graffiti/1949?image=20 ; the other images in this slide show are also noteworthy.) (Singapore: located at: http://1outdooradvertising.blogspot.com/2009/01/reverse-graffiti-by-caltex.html ;     what is surprising is that this is a legal advertisement.) ...
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Graffiti: Art, Political/Social Statement, Vandalism, Meaningless Tagging, Violation of Property Rights?

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(Provocative urban graffiti by Banksy, found at: http://seamartin.wordpress.com/banksy-the-urban-graffiti-artist/ )   In one of my past blogs, I posted some examples of urban graffiti with commentary.   On various groups on Linkedin , I posed questions about urban graffiti for the professionals on this site.   All of the responses were heartfelt and many were eloquent; varying from statements exclaiming its social message of graffiti to stating it was vandalism and against property rights.     Here are some of the selected comments in one location: Only if it is actual art and not just people writing their names or an insult. Glasgow is covered in graffiti a portion of which is the latter. I wouldn't mind lots of funky art! I just don't want to know all the local kids names or what they think about the police. If they want to protest they should learn how to produce proper art... smART protesting only please ! To an artist spray paint ca...
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Urban Graffiti: Spontaneous Artistic Expression

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(Location unknown. Graffiti art by Guy Fawkes: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/14/tribute-to-graffiti-50-beautiful-graffiti-artworks/ ) Urban graffiti is an 'art work' which is often  ignored as a visual distraction. However, from seen in the photographs below, it is art.  The urban flâneur wandering the streets would also view these public displays of art with amusement and contemplation. One can see in these selected works, political statements, particularly the one by Banksy, color schemes reflecting the culture of the area (e.g. example from Cuba) and abstract art (as seen above.) May we always have these artist that present ideas that should be in the public sphere. If any readers of this blog has seen excellent examples of urban graffiti where they reside, please e-mail them to me and I will post them. Some explanation about the work, including city, location within the city etc. would be appreciated. Please do not send images more than 1 Mb.  ...
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