Like ants to a honey pot graffiti artists are attracted to
the fresh canvas an unadorned wall presents. Should that canvas divide a
community it will become home to expressions about the division by all and
sundry. From simple tags to complex street art a stern drab becomes the colorful.
It lasts until painted over by either the authorities or another artist or for
as long as the wall stands.
Like the Berlin Wall that today celebrates
the 25th anniversary of its fall. It was first painted on the West Berlin
side by Thierry
Noir in 1984. With the wall being actually situated in East Berlin his paintings needed to be executed
quickly whilst watching out for the East German border guards. As he says “Two
ideas, three colors, you stir the whole thing up, and the picture is done.”
Other artists such
as Indiano, Keith Haring and Kiddy Citny along with a host of anonymous contributors
produced miles of artwork often painting over existing works. The eastern side
of the wall remained blank.
Today there are
over 100 segments of the wall around the world. They
can be found in museums, hotel
and corporation lobbies, universities, government buildings and public spaces.
Berlin’s wall may no
longer be, but its successor, Israeli West Bank barrier (The
Palestinian Wall), has started down the same road. A canvas that is
seven times the length of its parent it has attracted the attention of Swoon,
Blu, Ron English
and Britain’s best known street
artist Banksy,
among others. Like their German predecessors these illegal artworks are
produced under the ever watchful eye of the military.
About this particular
wall, perhaps the best description comes from Banksy when he says it’s "the
ultimate activity holiday destination for graffiti writers"
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