Feet on the Ground

Pictures taken from above of feet on the ground has swept Instagram, and I am no stranger to this trend. Often my graffiti findings are on the ground, and adding your feet adds a strange element of humanity to the photo: capturing me, capturing the photo and exploring.

So in honour of this strange trend check out all my recent finds that include my 10 little toes. (Not a foot fetish thing, most pics my toes are not exposed)

 

Like water that flows

Locke Street in Hamilton has provided me many opportunities for these feet pics. The entire street is lined in writing that tells a story, yet each piece tells its own individual story within the collective story.

I read.

Glued to the sidewalk

wandering

Next Stop….Mars!

You are here

Find what you love and let it kill you

#thesadcollective

Smiles after the rain

Marilyn 

Turn your dreams into reality

I’ve noticed a funny similarity to a lot of these pieces of street art on the ground. They are all inspirational for people who might be “looking down”. People assume that when you are too grounded you don’t have imagination. Too much imagination means your head is in the clouds, the ground not even in sight.  If your head is down, you’re walking staring at the ground, you’re told to look up. Interesting how these message play on that and with it. The idea that if you are down and sad your eyes are on the ground, and here is a nice sweet reminder made exactly for those who need it.

So, look up have a great day, but don’t forget to look down every now and then too. 🙂

 

 

 

 

Surface Salvaged- Anser Exhibit

February 11th-28th 2016, the Hashtag Gallery on Dundas West hosted its second Anser Exhibit, title “Surface Salvaged”.

Anser Face Gallery Exhibit- Surface Salvaged

If you’re an avid Street Inspired follow, you’ll know that Anser is one of my favourite Toronto street artists. His beautiful and unique faces can be found around all around Toronto.

This exhibit showcases Anser’s work is focused on medium and impression. The show is focused on using objects and architectural surfaces repurposed from destroyed and dilapidated locations throughout Toronto, Anser incorporates their iconic, mysterious face into reclaimed relics of the city’s past.

Said of this show, “Lifted from the palimpsest of urban decay, the found materials of Surface Salvaged find new life under Anser’s notorious insignia, and serve as unanchored canvases that mimic and retain the immediacy of the artist’s street work. Each piece speaks to the contradictory state our cities inhabit, so permanent in material yet mutable and ephemeral in the process of urban evolution. A route that is mirrored within the nature of graffiti itself, here salvaged is not only of the materials used but preserving the impermanent markings Anser leaves on the walls of Toronto.”

I find these ideas incredibly fascinating, as this is something that has always drawn me so intensely to graffiti and street art, the idea that the art is put there, but then left to the city, to change, to evolve, to destroy, to morph into something else. I especially love this idea in the city of Toronto, the idea of the permanence of material yet ephemeral in the process, working along side the architecture of Toronto.

This city is so full of the mixture and fusion of new and old. There are building in Toronto that are a part of our heritage that have been standing for generations, yet all over the city new condo’s and buildings are being erected and taking away these older buildings. However, this is not always the case, when a new building takes over an old building with history and meaning, something always remains. There are new buildings that are using the foundation of older ones and combining both together. This trend can be seen all over Toronto, from office buildings- there is one on St.Thomas street, using a row of old houses and creating, new glass office space behind the old facade. And one just like this idea on Prince Arthur. Old factories are being turned into lofts (think Chocolate Factory lofts), old churches converted into condos. The old Maple Leaf Gardens, the facade the same, yet the interior turned into a Loblaws.

These pieces of permanent material have new life breathed into them. Part of them still stands, a reminder, always there, but changed forever. The facade of these buildings still stands, you can feel and see the history of what they once were, now transformed into something new to suit the needs of today.

I love the combination of this idea with the basis of the Anser exhibit. Anser’s artwork has such a beauty to it, a contrast against the material. The material is salvaged, it’s old, worn in, full of history. The face is new, full of such beauty, but also mystery. It creates this unity and fusion of new and old, reflecting the way things can change, gain new life, and represent absolute beauty.

Here are images from the show, displaying the fusion of the salvaged material and the beautiful Anser faces added to the facade. 

Brick Work

Wall of images

Gold on Black

Brick work with colours

Grey Stone

Black Stone

Close up of 3 Gold faces

Red and White Brick

Red and Coloured

Neighbourhood Watch

The streets of Toronto are now safer than ever as mythical creatures, movie characters, super heroes and action figures swoop in to protect our communities.

The hulk, agents Mulder and Scully, Spider Man and the likes have put aside any differences they may have to join together as the Neighbourhood Watch.

Communities all over the city have been assigned a character to protect the neighbourhood.

The brilliant signs were the idea of Toronto artist/ puppet maker Andrew Lamb. He drew inspiration from pop culture of the 80’s and 90’s to bring new and awesome life to the faded Neighbourhood Watch signs around Toronto.

Here is a collection of the signs I have captured so far. I will update as I add to the collection, as I have seen many other ones that I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of. You can also check out this VICE interview with Lamb and see collections of the photos.

Neighbourhood Watch unicorn protecting Bloor and Delaware

Someone help me out- who is this? So familiar…

The Hulk- hopefully protecting

Samus from Metroid

Have you noticed these? Maybe captured a photo of one? Please share what you have found, or comment which is your favourite that you have seen!

I would love to hear which neighbourhood you would feel safest in!

Hopefully soon I’ll have pictures of them all!

 

I Can’t Sleep So I Write

When I look for Graffiti and Street art to photograph I select specific items. Sometimes I choose to photograph something because its beautiful and must be shared. I usually don’t photograph tags, they don’t speak to me they way a picture or a message does- it’s just someone’s name after all.

One of my favourite types of street art/ graffiti is written messages, they tend to be inspirational or incite some deep thought- like this one or this one 

Another favourite of mine, if you are an avid reader of my blog, you probably already know this, is stencils! If not, here are some examples, check here and here.

So, the other day I was walking down an alley way and photographed a garage that, after knowing the types of things I usually photograph might come off a little strange.

The first thing that drew my eye to this garage, and ultimately the only reason I didn’t just pass it by was actually a stencil:

SVTL Stencil

I loved this interesting little stencil, and it made me take a second to check out what else this garage had to offer. Disguised as scribbles on a garage door I found something that really spoke to me:

Can’t Sleep so I Write

I can’t sleep so I write…seriously, how beautiful! It is just scribbled on but has so much meaning. And the messy spray painted words actually suit what it says. I imagine someone unable to sleep and just thinking this and spray painting it on, without a stencil cut out, a plan or intention.

This speaks to me a lot as well because I often feel like this. When I can’t sleep at night I turn my thoughts into a book or short story ideas, I probably have a thousand different ideas a day- not that they would all work of course.

Then in the form of more freehand writing I found this funny message:

Clean your room

Little Spray Paint Girl

This little Indian girl was beside the “Can’t sleep so I write” and she is holding the spray can towards it, I guess we know who was responsible for writing that now. lol

And lastly, was this golden bird stencil:

Golden Bird

Oh my, how much exciting things I could have missed had I not given this garage the slightest bit of attention! Thank goodness!

Before I Die

Today I want to share something that truly embodies everything that Street Inspired stands for. Being Street Inspired and the reason I first came up with the name for my blog was all about those random finds that stopped me in the street, amazed at something I found.

I have always been very attentive when walking around, I have a habit of reading pretty much everything I see, seriously. I mean I read the instruction labels on my shampoo and conditioner, I read signs in the background on TV shows and I read anything I can see when walking down the street!

(some examples: Words of Wisdom from Anonymous, Wake up and Dream, Baby, One Life, Live It.

Over time I have found many things that have stopped me in my tracks and did what all art tries to do, make you think!

So this piece I want to share is inspiring because not only does it make people think, but it makes people share and feel for other people’s feelings, care about their goals and their lives.

Before I Die

Before I Die was a project created by Candy Chung. Chung created a chalkboard on the wall of  an abandoned house in New Orleans post-Katrina, which left many houses empty and abandoned.

The Chalkboard read: “Before I die I want to________________”. Chung then left the chalkboard, equipped it with chalk and let the magic and collective art happen.

This beautiful art spread like wildfire, now being in many places around the world.

At the end of September, Toronto received it’s very own Before I Die wall at the corner of Queen and Dufferin.

Over the weekend, now about a month after it was put up, I went to visit the wall. As you can imagine by this time it has been scribbled on by many people. And there was the magic, the inspiration from the street! So many anonymous people and here is all of their dreams, hopes and wishes. How beautiful!

Enjoy the pictures and some of the dreams I have immortalized:

Before I Die Wall Toronto

People’s dreams captured

Before I die I want to make my mom proud

Before I die I want to get published

Before I die I want to have fun

View from across the street

A Cloudy Day Hooray!

A cloudy day in Toronto gave me the perfect weather to redeem a recent post.

I recently posted a beautiful quote I found stenciled on the ground at University of Toronto. But as you can see in the post the photos was basically unreadable due to the Sun’s persistence in being too bright and the leaves shadows being too dark.

As people walked past this beautiful find without even noticing it, I took the time to get down on the ground to capture some great shots where the quote is actually readable to those looking at the picture! So yay!

Enjoy the quote in its full glory:

All you need to live- redemption shot

Artsy-Fartsy Black and White Shot

At a Distance Shot

Robotson, Robotson, Dinosaur

Oh the goodies I found in a back alley walking home from school!!

I fancy I have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing which alleys are worth the detour and which would be a waste of time. I base this on my awesome finds thus far.

So anyways this particular alley caught my attention. It had all the qualifications, great area for street art, the alley was long and there was graffiti near the entrance. So I headed down and the treasure trove awaited me!

I found this one really awesome little wall, and thus named my post. Robotson, Robotson, Dinosaur.

Check out this awesome Robotson sketch:

[Robotson]

And then see the cool little dinosaur sketch right on top:

Dinosaur!

This dino reminds me of a set of stamps I had when I was a kid, so i feel particularly fond about it and to add the fact that it’s pink- bomb, yes bomb!

And then as if that wasn’t enough, what’s on top of that? Some Gregory Alan Elliott!

Also check out the Gregory Alan Elliott archives for more.

Check out the wall in its full glory:

Full glory- (bottom to top) [Robotson], Dinosaur, Gregory Alan Elliott

I know, awesome!

I don’t know why I appreciate stencils so much, but i do like the fact that it allows it to be recreated over and over again and I can find repeated stencils all over the city. It allows someone to make a mark, represent the city and tell a story about where the person who did it goes, frequents and maybe where they even live.

Anyways, as my title clearly says Robotson twice you were probably expecting another. Here it is, just the name with no accompanying picture:

[Robotson]

Progression of the Anser Face

I found this progression set of Anser Faces. I was so mesmerized by this beauty! It’s so interesting to see how it becomes complete.

Anser Face Progression

People of Toronto have been amazed by these Anser faces popping up around Toronto since around 2008ish.

I saw an amazing interview by Torontoist, it’s quite old now, but Anser talks about how he would do a part of a face all over town and then go back on another night to add new elements, whether colour in the eyes or lips.

This progression piece really shows how the faces come along from start to finish.

 

 

The Victoria Ballerina Project

I recently had the pleasure of having Garth von Buchholz share with me a project close to his heart: The Victoria Ballerina Project.

Deathly Romantic Media. Model/dance: Brichelle Brucker

HOW IT ALL STARTED:

The project was originally inspired by the ballerina project in the U.S. and also drew inspiration from the vast amount of dance images in notable Canadian photographer’s portfolios.

The entire project is produced by Garth von Buchholz, who is also the editor of Deathly Romantic Media. The project takes place around the Greater Victoria region in British Columbia. The photo’s of the project displayed sets professional ballerina, Brichelle Brucker against urban scenery, particularly with street art and graffiti filled walls.

Editor and photographer of the project, Garth von Buchholz has a background and journalism and was also a professional dance critic for many years. Von Buchholz, with this project close to his heart was responsible for all of the photography and captured shots that encompassed the surreal beauty and gracefulness of ballet in contrast to the urban and street art filled walls.

Deathly Romantic Media. Model/dancer: Brichelle Brucker

WHY:

The combination of the urban with the ballerina allow for a magical contrast and reflection. The street art is a form of art that has been taken out of its habitat of gallery’s and taken to the street, allowing all people to witness the power, emotion and beauty that art can provide.

Much like the street art, the ballerina is also brings an art form to the masses. Rather than being in an auditorium or studio, or going to a ballet, the ballet instead is brought to the people, letting the everyday person witness a sublime form of beauty and grace that they may not have otherwise seen.

To learn more about the Victoria Ballerina Project and to see more pictures please visit the website.

Robot Knows the Secret to Life, Do You?

Walking home from work, I found this little guy outside a large office building on Bay Street.

This little Robot just has it all figured out, and he shared the secret to life and happiness:

Have more fun

Robot says: Have more fun

 

Now you know the secret too!