Nothing lasts

The MoreArt Public Art Show is on at the moment along the Upfield train line. It seems really cool, and I plan to check it out fully in the next few days. I created my own piece to run in parallel with the show, entitled Nothing Lasts. It was there for a couple of days, before being removed. I was really annoyed with this, as I think my idea was great, and it was working as planned. It's frustrating doing things which make public spaces more interesting, only to have them removed. Perhaps it was deemed no different from other graffiti ('tags'). 'Public art' vs 'street art' vs 'tags'; 'a safe community' vs 'a diverse community'.
While my work was removed, it certainly won't stop me from doing more. If anything, I'll strive to create less ephemeral pieces.

Participation

Most days I'm in town, I have a look around different laneways, and try and check out the street art 'hotspots' (Hosier Ln, Centre Pl, Union Ln, etc). There are always people taking photos, and enjoying the art. Fair enough; it's Melbourne, and the city certainly has a well justified reputation. It does frustrate me though. Not the picture taking (people should embrace art), but what I see as lack of participation. It seems like loads of people observe, but don't realise that it is super easy to be a part of street culture. I believe it's a right (almost imperative) that people interact with their environment. It's yours. Engage with it. Do whatever you want.
Tonight I did some pasting, slightly drunk (thanks Riki!). I put up 60 hearts. 60. And it was super easy. And fun. And think of how many people will see them (and hopefully smile a bit. Or engage romantically). One guy said 'you're doing a great job'. Get out there and do something. You'll probably surprise yourself.
(I also found (via the lovely Georgiebird) this picture by Vivian Maier, which made me want to cry. I drew a picture of it - I was happy with how it turned out)

Feel good redux

In a creative whirl the other night, I drew a larger version of the recent feel good picture - something pasteable. I was really happy with how this guy turned out, and it looks like he's giving you a darn sexy 'come hither' look (I was listening to the smooth sounds of Toro y Moi as I drew...). He's available for romantic engagements on the corner of Greeves and Gore, Fitzroy.

Feeling pasty

This is Gerald, a new pasting down Centre Pl. He feels bad about himself (and looks much sadder than I'd intended). But floating just behind him is all the beautiful little ways in which he touches the world.

I'm happy with how this turned out, and the concept behind it. Even if you don't feel it, you're a unique part of the world. See also the second paragraph of this post.








This picture, and previous work, is on forever - a Tumblr I made (I recant! Tumblr's cool, though I'm aiming for entirely original content)

Wish Box

Here's a new project I came up with. It's called Wish Box, and aims to make the world a wee bit better
 

It's simple

1. Write your wish on a slip of paper
2. Put it in the box
3. I'll try and make it come true.









I hope that it will get people to think about what they really want. Then I can try to make it happen. I figure most wishes will be anonymous, so perhaps I can turn the wish in to a random good deed. Raise the World Goodness Total a bit.
Wish Box is in place now, attached to a traffic camera on the south east corner of the Colombo/Bealey corner.

The city

The central city is still very much cordoned off, though access is slowly being allowed. I had a look on Google maps and street view to remind myself what parts of the city looked like. Knowing that they've changed, and that everyone is disconnected from those changes is saddening.
Sometimes I think about the streets of the city, and how empty they are, and how lonely the city must be. There are no people flowing through her, and she seems very frozen in time, from what I've seen. In particular, I like the street art in Christchurch, and knowing that so many pieces are sitting, unseen, in the CBD, feels very empty. Street art requires an audience, and is the work of individuals in response to the urban environment.
Last night I was very pleased to find the work of two of my favourite individuals on Flickr. I really love Vision, and how creative and versatile they are. And it feels like Vacuousity really 'gets' Christchurch, and has done some very inspiring pastes (you've quite possibly seen them).

(On the topic of street art: the latest video from Blu is mind blowing - Big Bang Big Boom)