Love on the Beat

Running through the ninth arrondissement on my annual trip to Paris I was suddenly captivated by a wall of vibrant graffiti, stretching before me like an impromptu mural. Pulling my smart phone from my pocket I began snapping photos, noticing different types of art throughout the length of the wall.


Thus began my immersion into the art of graffiti.  While teens may consider this ‘their’ art form and a type of protest, graffiti has been around since people lived in caves.  The volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD destroyed the city of Pompeii but preserved its graffiti.  Found in those ruins were curses, magic spells, political ideals and comments on life in the streets of the famous Roman city.

 

Every year I use my time in Paris to explore my artistic side, whether through writing, drawing or other methods.  The discovery of that wall focused my energies and enthusiasm for the trip: I would photograph graffiti.  I set some parameters for the project, with the primary being that any final image must incorporate layers created by several different artists.  I would also try to identify any artist who signed their image, either by name or by style.  

My artistic boundaries expanded as my daily runs took me through different neighborhoods, exposing me to a multitude of styles.  I learned the difference between tagging, stencils and decals.  Most important, however, I learned the difference between graffiti and street art.  Although there is an overlap between the two forms, graffiti is generally more spontaneous, less skilled, and, one could argue, is a criminal offense.  Street art elevates graffiti through skill, placement, thoughtfulness and whimsy.  Often the two formats exist in the same space, either layered on top of each other or on the same surface.


I discovered the graffiti Mecca at the home of the late Serge Gainsbourg, a musician, filmmaker, and French icon.  Although he died more than twenty years ago, his home is maintained by his family, and the façade is an ever-changing homage to Gainsbourg.  Filled with layer upon layer of graffiti and street art, one could stare forever at the countless tributes created by his fans.


Please enjoy the following images. You may interpret them any way you choose… that is the beauty of street art.