not utter
Curious marking, everywhere.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
While wandering through the megalopolis, one is exposed to a constant barrage of information. Bill board, signage, even the streets have instructions and a complex code of symbols that instruct and inform. It is impossible, for the literate, to not translate these graphical representations of words directly into thought. You can’t “not” read something, if you can – in fact – read. It would be like ignoring a smell.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The thing is though, and I’ve mentioned environmental adaptation before (in reference to the fact that I don’t really smell Newtown Creek or the sewer plant in Greenpoint anymore), unless something painted or posted to the wall is truly extraordinary, I can’t distinguish it out from the rest of the visual clutter. The way I see it is that even if only a letter or two of a word triggers recognition (that’s an “A” and that’s a “B”) in me, the graffiti person has won. Same thing goes for advertising, I guess. Either way, I don’t like being forced into thinking. That’s the direction in which trouble lies, when one begins to think.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This is currently occupying a sidewalk here in Astoria, and a Brazilian fellow walking a strange dog told me that the word is Portuguese and translates as “corruption”. It really stands out, as no one else has written anything on any nearby sidewalks, or in front of other houses. My Brazilian friend shrugged his shoulders, and sauntered off with his odd pet. Also, I must compliment the handwriting on this graffito, and would love to own a font which follows its esthetic.
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The Newtown Pentacle 
You sure he didn’t “samba” off? (Maybe the strange dog he was walking was a cat?)
georgetheatheist . . . dancing with the cars
January 30, 2014 at 10:02 am
I can’t understand the fascination with the graffito “corrupção”. Did “Captain Obvious” make some amazingly profound existential discovery unknown to Humanity that had to be shared upon the sidewalk for our edification?
As corruption has been a regular feature of this metropolis for, oh say, the last 160 years (arguably the last 200 years), what do you suppose was Sherlock’s first clue?
As with most, but not all, modern graffito: Droll, pretentious dreck.
The Stupid….it burns….
Cav
January 30, 2014 at 1:23 pm
It is vexing. Thing that ticks me off is that this in front of someone’s house. Residential corners.
Mitch Waxman
January 30, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I wanna see a photo of that “strange” dog. What was so strange about it?
georgetheatheist . . . dancing with the cars
January 31, 2014 at 11:45 am
Y’know, I haven’t got a shot of him. I’ll try and get one. He’s an odd fellow, his back legs lift off the ground when he eats because of his enormous head.
Mitch Waxman
January 31, 2014 at 12:03 pm
I’d love to see some pictures of the animals in your area (though you have shown cats in the past).
A strange dog is needed.
jaye haviland
January 31, 2014 at 7:11 pm