Usually graffiti is 'tagging' these days, where the yoof spray 'artistic' signatures. And then there are the artists who remain anonymous and their art is now collectable and expensive. In fact so expensive that if created on your own wall, it will net you serious money. Banksy is the man/woman I'm thinking of here.
And then there are the political statements. But what about anti-faith statements? Until recently, I'd never seen one of those. But in Brussels last year when we visited St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral the first thing we saw was this statement from the atheist faith sprayed on the entrance to the cathedral. Whatever your beliefs, to disfigure fine architecture like this is in my mind real blasphemy. What utter morons.
Shot taken on the Leica M9 with 35mm at f.11
Unique take on graffiti here, Peter. You sent me to the dictionary, since I presumed that blasphemy involved the church and that might make for circular logic. (I never took a logic course. Wonder if I could pass…)
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. Here's blasphemy and its etymology:
noun
blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character
syn: profanation, desecration, sacrilege
ORIGIN: c.1225, from Old French blasfemie, from Late Latin blasphemia, from Greek blasphemia "profane, speech, slander," from blasphemein "to speak evil of." Second element is pheme "utterance;" first element uncertain, perhaps related to blaptikos "hurtful," though blax "slack (in body and mind), stupid" has also been suggested.
Thus, if one regards a church wall as architecture, then perhaps graffiti becomes abuse of an edifice. I'm just thinking out loud. Not fond of any graffiti viewed as art, but I DO like your shot and the angle.
Any chance you could find a widget that allowers followers to sign upfor email notification?
I take that back—Banksy has won a new admirer. Thanks for the intro.
ReplyDeleteJan, by using the word blasphemy I was trying to be ironic in that radical atheists who do this are almost evangelic in their attitude and in their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI missed the irony? Ah, the subtleties of your writing, Peter.
ReplyDelete