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I only took the photo !! I have no claim to the artwork !!
location : www.flickr.com/photos/55034210@N05/25104196626/in/datepos...
Street Art vs The Police
It was late afternoon in Riga. We were passing this city on our way to Russian-Estonian border so our time to glue a wheat paste was limited. We asked some locals, googled a bit and thus found a "street art spot" in a tunnel. Almost no pedestrians, walls are covered with graffitis. Actually, we felt safe as never before. But the Universe had its own plan.
Right after we glued the poster, a police car appeared under the bridge and we saw how enthusiastically police officers' eyes sparked as they noticed us. We felt nothing but surprise. Of course, there was no reason to run or anyhow avoid this contact, so we waited for the car to park and the men to get out of it. They were very polite, asking for our passports and inquiring formally if we were the ones who have just done this "act of vandalism". We were very polite as well and asked them back if the poster we have just glued might be considered as an "act of vandalism" and not an "act of art". And this was the topic, which, I believe, is touchy for any street artist in the world. And any artist in general in that sense.
What is art? Who is to judge? These policemen were very friendly and actually let us involve them into this conversation. But nobody had the answer. They told us about teenage gangs with spray cans and six-packs, "bombing" the walls in their neighbourhood with "ugly" tags. The police is usually pissed off with such "street artists". But they have nothing against painters, who get permission from the city authorities to create big "beautiful" murals like the one we glued our poster on. Little by little the conversation got to the point where the distinction between "good" and "bad" art reduced to whether this art was legal or illegal. Okay, point taken, officer.
Though I can't promise to stop pasting my posters, next time I will ask for a spiritual permission before doing that. Shinto, an old Japanese cult, says that any thing has a spirit inside. A city, a forest or – a wall. So before you do something – ask if you are allowed. I do not know if the next policeman will accept that excuse, but, honestly, I mean no harm or disrespect. Only love and joy :)
How do you think intentions influence the results?
Page N31 of My First Book
Paris, France – Riga, Latvia
2015
I only took the photo !! I have no claim to the artwork !!
serie von 12 (gefundenen) kleinen stencils mit pasties , gefunden in stpauli . artist ist mts. nette idee , die lütten combos auf je einen stein zu setzen !
( HH-Wheatpaste 1283 - HH-Wheatpaste 1295 )
I only took the photo !! I have no claim to the artwork !!
detail love bird : www.flickr.com/photos/55034210@N05/29566847624/in/datepos...
I only took the photo !! I have no claim to the artwork !!
artists : sope , kartoffeltierchen , oggyland
I only took the photo !! I have no claim to the artwork !!
details : www.flickr.com/photos/55034210@N05/13926971164/in/photost...
