Printable View
I've heard a number of murals have been popping up all around Hamtramck. Hadn't seen one until this morning. Looks like a work in progress, but what has been done so far looks pretty damn awesome! Any one else seen/have pictures of the others?
Attachment 13247
Somebody has also decorated the concrete crash barrier south of the viaduct on Joseph Campau...
I've noticed some very "artsy" stacking of cinder blocks on Caniff near Small's.
Basically, it was supposed to be kept quiet, but a high-profile "muralist" has moved in or near Hamtramck from one of the coasts. Expect to see lots of art crop up all over.
Art is in the eye of the beholder. Looks like graffiti to me. But my eyes are old fashioned, I guess.
I think they're great. I love the welcome to Ham by the viaduct. Looking forward to seeing more.I also like the country tags under the viaduct on the walls. All middle eastern countries. Go see them for yourself. I think they're pretty cool. Looks like they've been there for a while. Can someone tell me where the first one pictured on this thread is?
It's on Holbrook just east of American Axle on the south side of the street. It was nearly completed when we drove past it around 6P last night.
They painted over this piece of art? What a shame.
Attachment 13252
They painted over the poop with the cape? My youth has been stolen!
I really like the new murals!
http://www.12ozprophet.com/news/phot...ls-in-detroit/
you are witnessing a cultural conflict. belligerents launch first salvo in a sanctioned proxy war over who owns "the street" right here in Hamtramck. Beautification project moving swiftly toward "mission accomplished." Goodson Street is a shot heard round the world. A whole lot of "Here, hold my beer and watch this" yet to come. graf stalwarts are calling out name brand street artists as murders of their culture. :gets popcorn:
Attachment 13254
The new and the old. Here is the new wall art with the red, neon Kowalski sausage sign on the building in the background.
The viaduct looks stupid now and the Kowalski sign was far superior to the junk that is there now...
The painted Kowalski sign has been gone for a long time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZZ
That wall's plaster and the caped poo-weiner was crumbling. The wall was repaired and painted a primer white a while ago. Not sure if it was painted over in preparation for the new mural. I doubt it.
I bet they painted over it the moment Kowalski moved out of town...didn't they relocate to chase some tax abatement to the east side?!
Of course, that would mean they'd paint over nearly the entire American Axle complex, too...
Why does it look stupid 1953? Please elaborate.....
The Kowalski mural was painted over at least a year ago. Count me among those who never understood the appeal of poop-man.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gannon
Kowalski did not leave Hamtramck. A few of my Hamtramck friends feel that the company, like a lot of companies that rely on tax abatement, knows that scaring a city teetering on the brink of bankruptcy into granting tax abatements is good for their bottom line. Expect them to do it every year. It's one of the things that makes my friends who live in Hamtramck feel that Kowalski isn't exactly a "good corporate citizen."
The picture I saw of the viaduct after it was painted made it look childish. My house is on the north end of town, and I don't often get down to the viaduct area...so I haven't seen it in person yet, admittedly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1953
Well it's a beautiful, well-done piece by two of the world's most respected street artists....... It is definitely worth checking out in person. Watching these guys paint live is a real treat, especially this past weekend....
Already, some of the locals are deciding to deface the murals -- probably because they don't understand them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2sm...ature=youtu.be
DN... gotta love how they think that taking cell phone images from a public sidewalk is something the police will stop... lol...
What foolishness. As one of my H-town friends said, "I've never seen Hamtramck act so fast on anything." ;)
If only the 555 people had come to "preserve" it, it might not have been defaced. ;)
Amusing slideshow and video at Trustocorp's website
From my friend who was just by there: "Al Deeby has already pasted the whole thing over with a new advertisement for their car dealership that they moved out of the city."
Stay proud, Hamtramck ...
“Anyone who knows his art history will testify that what is happening now always happens when the public is given important work. The man out in front is always the target for the abuse of a public that never sees the beautiful until an artist shows it to them, and usually crucifies the artist. For reference on this point, read the lives of Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci — or for that matter, the life of any big artist. Michelango portrayed as devils the churchmen who tried to interfere with him when he was doing the Sistine Chapel. Rembrandt was just as guilty of charges of sacrileges as [Diego] Rivera. But who throws stones at Rembrandt today? The world has seen many examples of religious fanaticism. And always the Church has lived to be ashamed of such manifestations.” —Albert Kahn
these are all out of towners and even internationals. They are sponsored by paint companies and receive their cans free.
So, yeah, upon further review, I stand by my earlier statements. These are cheesy cartoon images and don't really go with a functioning residential community. Sorry guys, I'm voting with the petitioners on this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1953
Why are they cheesy cartoon images? If anything Hamtramck needs these images to add light to the community. Would you rather the international art community stay out of "your Hamtramck?"
You would be amazed at how many police think its illegal as well and threaten to arrest people for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gistok
There's an interesting tension here. I mean, I don't know jack about street art. And for those who are coming here to paint, sponsored by the company, their attitude seems to be that street art is "over" because of promotions like this. It's funny because this is all so fresh and new to me. I feel like the kid who finally started getting into break dancing in 1989.
I think it's a good thing. I like it. I can see people being upset over the fact that it's not done by local artists, but I think it's good exposure for Hamtramck on an international level. It's making me think of the blank wall behind my business, and how a cool mural might brighten up the alley. I am irked that people in Hamtramck got together to complain about art of any kind when the city has much more serious problems.
Where do you draw the line. What is a mural and what is graffiti or tagging? Be careful what you ask for!
Detroitnerd, why do you say above that you don't know "jack" about street art? That is so not true.
So, now comment on the "bombing" of the Hamtramck "street art." Do "street artists" think that their gentlemen's agreement will protect their stuff from the kids who don't know or care about that? The kids that don't know who Rosa Parks and Pastor Winans are/were?
Possibly from their perspective, brickwork painted over with cartoons just invites an overlay of more paint, like modern palimpsest.