What Happened to BEMS?

Peter: 3rd Mar 2008 - 16:35 GMT

i gotta second it as rems... the new stuff on that wall is much more intricate and better; its generally ok to go over a simple piece with something of higher quality, which definitely seems to be the case here...

so are most stalled trolleys casualties of their [pantograph] popping off the [catenary wire]? while in seattle and san francisco, i often saw the electric buses stall when one of the electrical leads popped off the wire going around a corner or whatnot. in almost all cases, the driver promptly hopped out with a large, hooked pole, and repositioned the pantograph on the wire... banal to the locals, im sure, but amusing to me, the out-of-towner, heh...

jeeff: 5th Mar 2008 - 01:28 GMT

in your other article i was just laughing because they wrote "mural in progress".

i like the new additions too but they're hard to scan. soho & hungr? looks like smug & osker to me. am i crazy?

Peter: 5th Mar 2008 - 01:53 GMT

its smug and osker. i was holding my breath trying to not be the first to mention it and out myself as the resident graf nerd fanboy, for what its worth.

that photo is a great score, elicar. those guys are minor celebrities, and not just in the tdot. if any of you of our canadian contingent see more of their work (or other high-caliber work), you should really try to get pics and post em here. frankly, thats part of why citynoise came into existence; to provide me with a vicarious opportunity to see graf from all over the world. heh.

and though i generally disdain the painfully pedestrian nature of most online graf forums (the likes of 12oz, bombingscience, etc), i feel compelled to post the following links just to underscore the fact that there is some amazing art going on in ontario, of a quality that makes us oldskool nyc-centric graf-heads both jealous and wistful:

www.bombingscience.com/graffitiforum/showthread.php?t=24&page=819
www.flickr.com/search/?q=osker&w=all&s=int

i know we come from all walks of life here on citynoise, and appreciate a diverse spectrum of aesthetics, but as far as "street art" (or whatever the tacit, socially-acceptable nomenclature to invoke it politely in some social circles is) goes, toronto is taking some aerosol design elements to a new level, and those of you who get to walk past it every day should really take notice, learn to "read" it, follow its timeline, and photograph it. and appreciate it if you dont already. at worst, it gives you something to do while you walk to the trolley at 7am to go to work, or whatever, eh?

and if i might be so bold, elicar, as someone who doesnt seem to be a huge fan of graffiti, you sure have captured some really great pieces in so many of your posts. i like.

and jeeff, you have one of the most keen eyes for good design that i know, so whenever you feel like busting out that camera, rest assured that im not the only one sitting here eager to see what you find.

ok. wow. long comment. i got on a roll or something. i have the winter blahs and looking at tons of new, colorful graf lately has me amped.

Elicar: 5th Mar 2008 - 02:35 GMT

I can just be a pretty face sometimes. I spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out but I just couldn't.

Take a closer look:

And Peter, I appreciate the art and the talent. However, I like a sense of order and balance. And graf for me disrupts these. (Graf fans, be kind in crucifying me!)

Elicar: 5th Mar 2008 - 02:39 GMT

And jeeff, I did not even realize that "mural in progress" was on that wall. I thought it was your comment.

My remaining two brain cells must have been fried by the hair dyes that I have been using. ;)

Peter: 5th Mar 2008 - 02:53 GMT

elicar:

www.counterproductiveindustries.com/gbgc/images/BrochureFront_comp.pdf
www.counterproductiveindustries.com/gbgc/images/BrochureBack_comp.pdf

Elicar: 5th Mar 2008 - 04:32 GMT

I do not mind graffiti in abandoned and obscure places (I took some on railways and under a bridge, but when perfectly good walls just like the one in here are "vandalized", then I am against it. I call it property destruction.

I guess it is not graf itself that I dislike. It is the improper canvass for this work of art.

jeeff: 5th Mar 2008 - 18:56 GMT

graf in TO always keeps me entertained. spring's just around the corner, and that means it's almost time to get the camera out and start looking for walls.