St Jacob ( Escom edition)

Why graffiti?

Graffiti (and other forms of urban art) has its own beauty, as does the city in which the art finds itself. It takes the form of an ongoing conversation. It is an expression of the city which lives and breathes: discovering, erasing and editing its opinions as its inhabitants discover, erase and edit their own.

This artistic expression is organic and so is its reception, especially as it is part of the public domain.

(quoting Alex van Tonder)

"I am for an art that takes its form from the lines of life itself - that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips;

and is heavy and coarse and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself" (Claus Oldenburg)

St Jacob on cnr Empire and Jan Smuts.

St Jacob

2011. I think we are going to see and hear a lot from our politicians. With so many poor South Africans living in conditions that can only be described as hellish, I guess it is true their only hope for improvement will be in another life.

Mr Zuma claiming special powers on Barry Hertzog, Emmarentia.

....and to end the year on a great note:

Recognised here for their unique creative voice and first class execution, the top three winners:

Grafmom!! (and two others). Have a look at the latest one small seed magazine. Winners of the

"are you the new banksy" competition.

Cinderella

And with the year coming to a close, I just had to ask this question:

What now South Africa

Interactive participation

..... local residents near Flower Crossing becoming "involved".

They told me the very interesting story that that specific pole, which was also the site for Pole-ar, and was erected illegally by the Westcliff residents in protest against a dangerous crossing nearby. The Council tore their danger sign down, and installed a four way stop. They still battle with cars driving to fast and if I look at the condition of the poor flowers.........

why did the flowers cross the road

I replaced the Pole-en sign, which was removed, with this road crossing sign. Painted the miniature crossing lines in the middle of the night.

I then decided to do the rest of the intervention on a Saturday morning - and what fun. So many people stopped to have a chat and comment. I hope you all visited the blog.

A few people thought the pole was actually a road side shrine - I guess it looks a lot like one. But fortunately no one died, and it is all about the joy of spring and tongue in cheek fun.

The interaction that happened with viewers is another aspect of interventionist art: I realise my work means different things to different people but if it manages to create conversation and interaction (and of course pleasure), I have succeeded.

Not acid but pure sewerage

Carlow Road, across from the tennis courts. This was fixed within 18hours after the signs went up.