Along the Tracks (Con’t.)

One of the questions that comes to mind, when viewing and shooting street art is: what does this say about our society/culture? Some people view it as vandalism while others view it as a form of contemporary art. Because the palette is in or near a public space does that change the dynamics? Or. like the images I have been presenting, are mostly out of the view of the public, but on a BNSF railway right of way does that change things? To get this space both the artist and I have to trespass across those railroad tracks. The palette in these works is just a retaining wall, so maybe the work enhances the large, drab concrete space?

I guess it begs the age old question: What is art? 

We all have to answer that for ourselves, I guess.

South Park Changes

The Port of Seattle owns a stretch of land that was once private residences. It’s referred to Pier 117, but there is no pier and the small green space they created was mainly for a large rain garden to keep street runoff out of the Duwamish River.  The black and white image, in the foreground, was where two, ramshackle, abandoned houses were located. I have a photo of them somewhere in my archives.  They ( the Port) left the two cement pads that the houses were sitting on, for some reason. There is a walking path the length of this ‘park’.

Across the river is I think an abandoned factory, perhaps the old Kenworth plant. Not totally sure. Again, this is the oldest EPA Superfund site in the US.

Across the street from the park is Coffee Umbria, a coffee roaster, etc. Apparently razor wire is needed to protect the business. This particular section of South Park is pretty sketchy, so I understand. I am always on guard and don’t stay in the area very long when I shoot there.

Walking the RR Tracks

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Location: Rail road tracks that run parallel to Airport Way So. in Georgetown , Seattle. There’s a blast of steam in the middle of the image coming from a  small industrial building. Downtown Seattle in the distance.

More of the graffiti to follow in future posts.