Hybrid by Chipka
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Description
Though largely ignored by the social sciences, graffiti is beginning to gain some notice. Not much, as social prejudices still exist against one of the oldest (and, thus, most venerable) forms of artistic expression. Wall-scrawl is as old as the ancient, Homeric Epics. The ancient Egyptians stylized and codified the art form and in the ruins of that ancient land, some of the world’s most elaborate wall-decorations still exist. A large number of ancient Egyptian wall decorations aren’t of an intentionally artistic nature at all: they’re simply names, chiseled into random bits of stone—artists’ signatures if anything: stuff like Heromeb carved this brick. A bit later, the Romans got in on the act: not only are they responsible for such inventions as plumbing, the indoor toilet (a box-shaped seat with an important hole in it,) the sauna, the laundromat, and the SUV (they called them wagons,) they are also responsible for what contemporary graffiti artists call the tag…random, often puerile declarations of male bravado, or hormone-addled teenage love, because of their invention of the indoor toilet, the ancient Romans are responsible for the associate invention of a type of graffiti known as latrinalia: we’ve all seen it. We’ve all read it. Some of us have even photographed it.
As I’ve said—many times in the past—I rather like graffiti: at least in the abstract sense. Some of it, especially latrinalia isn’t really worth a second glance, and if it is, it’s not really worth a forth or fifth glance. It doesn’t age well, and it fades quickly. I am more interested in the random scrawls I find in various cities around the world. Small declarations. Cryptic utterances rendered not with a voice, but with spray paint, indelible markers, chalk and even children’s wax crayons. I like meandering through an area and finding evidence of humans, and let’s face it: humans love to write on things, draw on things, or simply deface things that aren’t their own. There are those who would have us believe that such a gift is humanity’s sole reason for being: of course they also happen to be graffiti artists, with paint-stained fingernails and vague hints of neurological damage from inhaling the fumes of their craft. Some of them are quite funny, and it’s amazing to see how fast they work, and how stoned they get after inhaling intriguingly flammable vapors.
I found this elaborate piece of urban high art on the crumbling wall of an auto-detailing shop. It stands across the street from a scrap yard. The scrap yard itself boasts a similar work of art. It appeared earlier in my gallery, under the title: “Super Green. This piece, “Hybrid” is what I believe to be its companion. Indeed, this is actually much larger than what is shown here, and other components of this graffiti artist’s magnum opus will appear a bit later. I suspect the name of the piece is “Hybrid 3000” or something like that, and as more bits and pieces of this artwork emerge, you’ll see why. Until then, here’s the hybrid part of Hybrid 3000, and I find it quite refreshing that the gentleman depicted here also happens to resemble a more African-derived version of the Fremen at home in Frank Herbert’s Dune universe.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (25)
kgb224
Amazing piece of art work my friend. Great find and capture. God bless.
jac204
Great capture. In New York in the 70s or so there looked to be some acceptence of grafitti as it related to subway cars. I remember a TV documentary about it. It wouldn't be a problem if all grafitti was art, but that is not the case and some was related to gangs, etc. Subway grafitti soon became a public relations liability and New York was eventually able to eliminate most of it.
Feliciti
great capture ! most of graffiti looks like art ... well seen !
KatesFriend
Romanes Eunt Domus! That's twice in as many days that I've got to use that one - thank you so much! I don't know how they do it. I could never create such free hand art even if I had the best supplies and all the time in the world. And to pull it all off while no one is looking. Save for the anal Roman Centurion that looked surprisingly like John Cleese. "Now, write it out a hundred times."
wrpspeed
fabulous pic.
bobrgallegos
Awesome capture of this wall mural! Love the textures of this old brick wall as well as the artwork itself.
anaber
I love this!The figure is amazing,as well all the scene! Great work of art in this graffiti!!! Excellent capture.Thank you for sharing!
mgtcs
This is an amazing capture Chip, a truly artistic piece, wonderful photo and writing! Congratulations!
Orinoor
I love art graffiti, not the tags scrawled by barely literate gang members, but true art, with feeling and soul. Fantastic shot, can't wait for the rest!
auntietk
Romani ite domum ... Oh thank you sir, thank you sir, hail Caesar and everything, sir! (Kate's Friend had me rushing for the script to see what the correct Latin was!) LOL! Aside from all that Monty Python grafitti (does that make it Python Script?) this is a VERY cool bit of public artwork! The detail is amazing. I particularly like the robe. Absolutely jaw dropping. Thanks for sharing this!
Sepiasiren
a terrific modern art capture Chipka
RodS
It's amazing what some of these folks can do with a can of spray paint. What I find infinitely amazing, though, is the guys (or girls?) that can sneak into a railyard, and paint an entire boxcar or tanker without getting nailed by the railroad police. I've seen some incredible mobile art on passing freight trains. Cool capture, Chip!
jocko500
i think it wrong to do what they do on other people walls with out asking. i do like some of them and this one is good . hope the owner say ok with this. i did see stuff on walls that the owner wish to have there and that is ok
durleybeachbum
I love that the crumbling bricks are not painted in the holes..it gives the work a vibrancy.
helanker
AWESOME Art. Yes, It is art, because it is so full of thoughts and creativity and skills. Love it. I just Love good graffiti and this wall with the decay makes it even better.
flavia49
fantastic capture!! wonderful graffiti!
thecytron
Great shot!
Sea_Dog
Great shot! Some of these urban art pieces are just amazing. The artistry and skills of the artists is superb. And they usually have to work covertly.
dreampaint
great street art, very nice pic.
MrsRatbag
I don't mind graffiti that is art, like this; what I don't like are the "tags" and crude anatomical drawings that I see so often. And I agree, I hope that the owner doesn't mind and gave permission for this.
sandra46
EXCELLENT WORK!THAT GAFFITI IS ART!
makron
Excellent capture. Fantastic image
three_grrr
Now this manner of graffiti should be encouraged .. what we have around here is not even graffiti .. it's just mindless spraying of one's name or some garbage not even worth photographing. I have seen some "tags" that were really nicely done on railroad cars though. Pretty obvious that they didn't originate in the this town. Can't wait to see more of this!
danapommet
I think that there are some really talented artists that work their art into the strangest places BUT that does not take away from the actual art. Great shot Chip and looking forward for more. Dana
wotan
Really cool serie of shots!