MANCHESTER CANAL GRAFFITI

A day out in Manchester - part 4

During our canal boat trip to Media City, I encountered that many works of art or graffiti, I expect it's how you personally view them, that I had to give these photos their own post.

In the correct place, I view it as art, but if it's just someones name or tag daubed on a lamp post in a town centre then it's graffiti. In a way this art brightens up your journey like here on the canal or on a train journey. 

The talent  & design of these "artists," should be encouraged & put to good use, say in advertising posters for the railway or any other design work. The designers of the old railway posters in the 1920's & 30's must have started doodling somewhere !  Wall space should be given to these budding artists without fear of being prosecuted. I have come across one or two places in this country were the boarding around building sites has been given to schools to do their artwork, but this should be extended to these "artists" as long as their designs do not offend.

While I'm on my soap box - After taking the tram from Media City back into the centre of Manchester, my vision was hit by the sight of a very high ugly grey concrete wall which encompasses part of Piccadilly Gardens. This was the first time that I had been in this part of Manchester & I was certainly not expecting that ! I thought for a moment that I was in Berlin before their wall came down. With the very tall buildings which surround this area, it already portrays a dark & dismal place. This would be an excellent space for these "artist's" to brighten up this wall. I have just read that because of public dismay, plans are now on there way to incorporate the wall into shops, so why not add a bit of colourful art work as well !

I think this one is my favourite, it's of good design & full of colour & life. If this artwork had been done on canvas & was hung on a wall in a swanky London art gallery, you would have to pay thousands for it !

This one was perfect timing on my behalf, if I do say it myself with the cyclist coming into shot. I only got one chance in getting this photo, as there was no time to change the camera settings to multi-shot. See how the cyclist's upper body is in tune with the banner, magic !

The old & the new, what's the fate of this derelict land ?

Look's like Fym can get anywhere, he must have had a good ladder for that one !

I think is my second favourite. The "artist" has captured the innocence of Lowry, but the more you look at it, it reveals a very complex insight into what message the artist is try to get across, which may be Peace & Ban the Bomb !

So in conclusion, I will leave it up to you readers, to how you view this "art."