I went running on the Arkansas River trails here in Tulsa a couple weeks ago. I always take along my trusty point and shoot. You never know what you are going to see. In twenty years of running I’ve come across one of the fox that live along the trail three times. I haven’t had my camera any of those times. Next time I see one, I’m taking their picture. Today though some graffiti stopped me.
I think a stencil was used to do this. I certainly don’t condone graffiti in non-authorized places but i dont’ think this example really bothers anybody. I’ve tried googling “nemesis” in various ways for Tulsa graffiti and didn’t get any good hits.
But then, on the other side of the structure you get this, meh.
I also noticed lots of these stencils along the trail. It’s just a few inches long. I have no idea what the purpose is. They don’t seem to be distance markers since they are spaced at irregular intervals.
And then running across the pedestrian bridge I saw this cheesy Christian evangelism and peace sign symbol. It looks like two people getting in on the act.
Do you think any sort of graffiti is acceptable? Do you think that graffiti evangelists are going to heaven?
And then I ran a little further and came across this memorial to a motorcyclist who died within feet of this tree just a couple weeks earlier. Is this graffiti, you see more and more of these memorials. They don’t age very well. They seem to be at least tolerated by officialdom. As an aside, fast forward two weeks, and I met a police officer in a social setting who worked the accident. Tulsa is the biggest small town I’ve ever lived in.
I bet Tulsa seems small because you’re friendly and talk to lots of people. Graffiti evangelists do more harm than good. Just saying. Most graffiti offends me but that which looks like art does not.
Just goes to show that a good blogger is never without a camera and an eye for something to post.
Some graffiti seems OK, on human constructs but not on nature.
I agree completely with EG — including the size of Tulsa!! Some graffiti does indeed look like art, but unfortunately there’s a lot more that looks just like what it is — crap! Terrific post as always!
Sylvia
Hi Yogi
I’ve never been to Tulsa, but I love the sound of that word. It’s just a lovely name and worth repeating. I don’t have a “jelled” opinion about graffiti but I don’t respect those who would mark up a gravestone. It’s just not nice. And there are plenty of spots that are way more non-personal to express oneself than someone’s final resting place. It seems disrespectful. I do enjoy graffiti though, and consider it a rogue expression of creativity. It’s a controversial art expression but I don’t see it going away anytime soon.
I enjoyed this post very much. thanks for sharing Yogi. And a happy happy day to you.
I always enjoy the photos you share from your runs. You got some interesting graffiti this time. I generally don’t like graffiti but in places where they seem to be encouraged and sponsored by the city, well, I have seen wonderful works of art. We have the same kind of memorials all over Virginia. It’s sad knowing that someone died in those places.
The stencil by Nemesis is wonderful. I love it. Wow. What a lucky find!!!
I see the makeshift memorials, too. Odd, I never thought of them as graffiti before, but they do kind of qualify for the legal definition — “without permission.” These are ALL OVER OKC. They’re very sad and a constant reminder of recklessness, randomness and loss.
I just love the fish and the bird stencil, Yogi. Thanks for posting these! I look forward to your posts each week.
I’m not a fan of graffiti, regardless of how artistic it is. It still defaces property that does not belong to the offender.
I don’t think anyone has the right to “mark their territory” like a dog, with graffiti. I know, I’m old and grumpy, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I’m not a fan of graffiti but I don’t think it’s the unpardonable sin! The worst ones to me were all over Tulsa a few years ago when someone was posting religious messages on the backs of traffic signs at most of the intersections around town. Seemed to me like a REALLY poor witness!
I do not like graffiti because I used to have to clean it up in my own neighborhood; however, graffiti that have been approved by the owner or city in a certain area to liven up a place is fine with me. Like those memorials or weekend garage sale signs, they sometimes don’t get removed and those cause an eyesore after awhile.
the stencils remind me of Bansky without the edge .. but the tagging is not art, its destruction/defacing public property .. as for the evangelists, I am thinking more likely some drunk who found God .. I doubt an evangelist would use graffiti to preach
Hwy 40, the road from here to Salt Lake City, was accumulating so much graffiti that officialdom said, “No more.” People still have their memorials, but they can’t be on public property.
I’ve seen some beautiful graffiti. I think there should be more public surfaces set aside for artistic expression.