This wasn't just a regular walk. Stretching my legs and enjoying a bit of sunshine - maybe it was the initial idea, but I came back with my mind full of questions.
My morning started with two lessons, and as I would be teaching the whole afternoon too, I had to make a bit of time for myself. Being inside and ignoring the call of the sun would not be the best choice. Although I just opted for a short visit to the shore and back home as I didn't have a lot of free time. Well, as I said, it was the initial idea. Until a weird and unexpected thing happened.
I was observing one of these "artworks" made of plaster placed on the concrete fence on the promenade. (I am not sure if I can call them artworks, but the person who made them is an artist) . So, while I was there, watching that broken typewriter and trying to think what would be the message of it... maybe a writer's block... maybe the representation of half-informations that we are faced with many times, a man approached me.
He asked did I knew what was that? Naive me, I responded positively and started with the information that I had. That these are works of one of the local artists, who makes them from plaster, with some messages. He places them in different spots of the town and glues them to the surface he chooses for his work...
He interrupted me with his theory:
This is garbage!
Hmm, sorry? Did you say garbage?
His monologue started, explaining to me that when we see some trash in the street, we stop, pick it up, and throw it away. That it is a distraction in our normal activity. In the same way, these things made from plaster serve as a distraction from the nature that surrounds us. Instead of enjoying the views of the sea, sun and hills, we observe those objects.
But this is art, why would it be garbage? Art is food for our thoughts, I don't see why this is bad.
The man continued with his theory that it is a great distraction from nature and that the message of the works is full of hatred.
Hatred?
Well, not that I could or wanted to discuss a lot with him. He was older than me, maybe in his seventies, so I have some respect for elderly people. My answer that we can have different opinions did not convince him a lot, but after some moments, we said goodbye, without words.
I was a bit surprised by his thoughts, as I don't share his opinion. When I walk around and see some of those little white objects, I consider them as a part of cool street artwork. Maybe they are put there illegally by the artist, as I doubt he asked for permission from the town. After some time, I see them damaged or unglued. Some get broken, but also there are those that are intact. I was always wondering who would like to damage those artworks.
Now I know that maybe the man who talked to me and those who share his view could do that. He told me that we should unglue all of them, not to be a distraction from nature. Throw them in the bin, as garbage goes there.
Well, I took photos of several works, so you to tell me, do you see these objects as garbage and do they have a message full of hatred?
I see some of them as funny, some are making us think and some just state the real situation of the world where we live now. But, we all can interpret them in our way. As the creator of them also wrote: This means whatever you want it to.
Of course, I do enjoy the nature and landscape around me. I do love this climate, the blue sea, and the temperate winters. I love the mountains we have nearby, the lake, the river, and of course the breeze that you can feel on the seashore during summer nights. The smell of the sea... the hidden coves that offer some refreshment on hot summer days. The palm trees and peaceful lifestyle.
But why would these plaster artworks bother me? Maybe they are indeed garbage, and without some artistic value, but in my opinion, they make this small town a bit more interesting.
We can see them in many places in the town, not just on the promenade. Very close to my building, there is a wall with a collection of colourful minute-glasses with wings. I saw some plaster wallets with the inscription fake. Some plaster books with inscription fiction. Small bags from plaster that says us lost.
I don't see them as messages that spread hatred. But who knows, maybe the man that started that conversation with me knows more things than me. Maybe it is just me who finds them cute.
Anyways, a thought that we got today, a different approach to the same thing, decorating or littering our small town.
What do you think about them? There are many more in the town, so this is not the whole display of them. I could even call it an open-air exhibition, but yes, who knows are they indeed considered artworks. Do you have at your place similar objects that decorate/litter the public area?
Thank you for taking with me this unusual #WednesdayWalk , that turned out not to be just a walk to unwind a bit the mind. Just the opposite, with that strange encounter.
Well, I think your interlocutor was right up to a point. Just like the artist pointed out, his work (as in fact most cases of art) means what the observer wants it to mean. But he failed to take into account the eye of the beholder! So while in his interpretations they may convey hateful messages, this does not apply to everyone. And while they may distract him from nature, others may be so taken by the view that they won't even notice these plaster pieces. At least they do not obstruct the view (as many large billboards do).
Yes, the eye of the beholder.
That is why I said to him that we can have different opinions...
We can take this case and apply it to any other thing. When two different pairs of eyes are observing the same object, they can see it in a completely different way. So well known fact, though we seem to forget it sometimes.
Oh, billboards. Or huge buildings that obstruct the view, even worse :)
Este comentario ha sido valorado por @bitacoras del Proyecto @elcomentador / This comment has been value by @bitacoras from the @elcomentador Project.
Gracias!
Beautiful pictures!
I do not consider these objects to be rubbish and a message of hatred.
But, they should not be on the waterfront!
And if they are appropriate on the embankment, then you can also install these objects in the forest and near the waterfall.
Do you want to walk through the forest and listen to the birds singing?
And there are objects all around in the forest!
Do you want to stand by the waterfall, admire it and listen to its sound?
And objects are standing around again!
No, it incompatible for me!
This breaks the harmony, interferes with the full perception of the beauty around you.
Since even a fleeting glance at these objects interrupts your communication with nature!
It's like if I was listening to music and suddenly someone turned it off or suddenly someone called me ...
This is an interesting point of view! 😎
In a forest, where everything should stay as the mother nature created, I do not see these objects as appropriate either. It would indeed be a great distraction and "out of order" state for a forest. You are so right here.
Though, here on the promenade, we already have a lot of not so natural objects. Here everything is touched already. The path, the fence, the buildings, the natural landscape is modified.
Some 50 or 60 years ago, there were just wild Mediterranean vegetation, fields and orange plantations here. The settlement was just a few houses and nothing else. But everything changed when tourism became one of the main sources of income. And construction.
Still, this town is a lot calmer than some of the nearby ones, with huge skyscrapers :D
hahaha, I imagined the scene! Cool comparison @ludmila.kyriakou 👍
😊
Este comentario ha sido valorado por @bitacoras del Proyecto @elcomentador / This comment has been value by @bitacoras from the @elcomentador Project.
That's an interesting way to engage your audience, a little bit like the artist did.
When the old man said "This is garbage", I thought that maybe he understood the message of the artist, about ecology, and that maybe these items were collected garbages from the shores, and that the message would be a critic of our society and consumption, but no, he meant "this art is garbage", now I get it. 🙃
Well, I have to agree a little bit with the old man, we spend our time trying to get rid off the pieces of plastic on the seafront, only to have an "artist" bringing some more 🤓
Maybe the message of hatred was a strong word, but I think he was trying to stir a reaction from you, hence using hyperbole.
I still don't know what to think though, I have to see that type of art with my own eyes to make an opinion ^^!
Did you go for a swim? The water look so nice!
The water was calm that day, you are right. I went last week, and it was still a bit cold. For me.
But there are people (I know one Dutch older man who does it) that swim through the whole year, I don't know how they can do that. Must be a habit.
So, somewhere I read you will be coming to Spain... I am not sure when though. Was it planned for September?
Yes, we've booked a house on the coast between September and December! We will still come back to our farm from time to time for eventual harvests.
And you, what are you up to?
I see, I will have to be a detective and find out the place where you will be staying and maybe pay you an (unexpected) visit :D
That's super creepy and a little bit exciting all at once 😁 Maybe I can spread some clues all around France and Spain, and you need to find them to get my current location!
Hahaha, that would be cool :)))
Maybe I'll just send you the address on Discord, we will see!
Bit this option is not bad either :D
Time and You will tell, when want 😁
Ok you guys are scaring me now 😄
😂
I think they are pretty neat. I would consider them art myself. Calling them messages of hatred seems a bit over the top and exaggerated lol.
A bit exaggerated, yeah :)
that chap has a really weird perspective. i do see his point of view but there is too much of a blinkered approach to his thinking. absolutism (not sure if that is a word) is a sure way to ensure you miss out on a lot in life ... as i always told my kids... no black and white... everything is shades of gray... and so is it with these artworks. if you allow them to distract you from nature and you get no pleasure at all from the art...then you could perceive it as garbage.. but how many people would fall into that mindset. 98% of people would acknowledge both the art and the nature and take from them what they want {shrug}
Although the piano keys are black and white, so I many times joke on my account that I see the world through those colours 😁 , grey is indeed the way to go. Or in colours :))
And you point out a great thing, if one allows being distracted...
That's our attitude and choice of what we pick and take from the things that surround us, right?
Thanks for coming to this walk. You were really fast riding to Spain on your bike :D
I never let a lady down {smile}...
😇
We are all art critics... aren't we? After all, isn't that what artist say it should be, that everyone takes away from it whatever it makes them feel?
That's all well and fine as long as nobody says my artwork isn't art ..LOL !!! right?
I understand that it is supposed to be art and I like finding surprising art in odd places. I can also see the older gentleman's point of view i think. Since the art objects near the beautiful sea do appear to be bits and pieces from our harried daily living, some go to the sea or natural spaces to get away from the clutter of the cities and our lives. In that manner, if it is anywhere near true, I could understand his view.
Yes, the good thing is that this matter can be seen from both sides, and both can be valid, indeed. Though I still don't find these objects as a message of hatred... I still try to understand why he thinks that. But for sure, nature should be preserved in its original form, not be touched by a human hand. But it is kind of impossible to find those places nowadays.
Nope, don’t share his opinion either. I think they are pretty cool and make you think. They make a statement. Talk without talking.
Of course we still enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the nature around us. Maybe it is a generational thing. 😁
Thanks for sharing this walk with us @mipiano 😎
I am not sure if it was a generational thing.
Yes, the man was older, but his attitude and appearance didn't look old-fashioned. He tried to show that he is the open-minded one and that he knows what he is talking about. Perfect English, but not a tourist. Someone who lives here.
Anyways, it got me thinking as you see, is it indeed trash or not hahaha, but I still think these works make us think and not spread a message of hatred.
Ok… sounds like he was traveled and open minded.
But I so don’t see a message from hate. That is not true. Maybe he had a bad day by saying what he felt.
The art does make us think, and that is what art should do. In many ways. It is to the viewer how they interpreted it. Yes, everybody does have their own opinion and that is ok. Even if it is not the same as ours.
But hatred I so didn’t see, especially in a beautiful setting as they are in. Walking there would brighten my day. Due to the surroundings and art. 😊☀️😎
Neither do I see that bad message.
Anyway, it is how we interpret things and everything that we see, hear, read... Perception :D
Yay, your day would be brightened up walking in my little town :))
You will let me know when you are coming hahaha 😄
Yes, I would definitely let you know when I’m in the area… and meet up for a coffee ☕️ or juice 🥤 😁☀️👋🏻
cool 😎
💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
To me they seem to be a work of art with a reflective message not a hateful one, maybe the gentleman over the years got bitter and looked at a person who could listen to him for a moment, released his anger and you found the garbage after all.
The good thing is that it served to capture it in the Wednesday walk.
Greetings, these days it seemed to me that I had stopped following you and if it happened it was a mistake. I always enjoy your publications. @mipiano 🤗
Reflective messages, that is what I also think they bring. But we see that opinions can differ and that is normal and perfect. :)
Hahaha, yeah, I saw the several notifications 😂😂 Don't worry, I know it was a mistake, it can happen 😎👋
I don't think they are garbage at all, but of course, everyone is free to have their own opinion. It's a form of urban art, I find them fun and I don't think they break with the landscape, because the nature of the place is impressive but it's a promenade. They are not pieces of plaster placed in the middle of nowhere on a virgin beach. What is a bit rubbish is that they destroy them and leave the remains there because that makes some of them look neglected.
Have a lovely day 😄
Yeah, some of them are damaged and don't really look nice. But so many things don't look nice, the real garbage around the bins when it is not recollected on time 🙄
That's right, and many times that real garbage is thrown in the street by those who sometimes criticize street art like these.🙄😏
I dont share his opinion either I do not feel they distract from the beautiful scenery thee, they are so cool and fun, I love seeing art on display, and I can enjoy them and the beautiful views over the water as well
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :), I truly enjoy exploring the world virtually each Wednesday seeing walks from all around the globe and feeling I am there and experiencing it all myself, such as I did in your post just now :)
Thanks for letting me know your opinion on this subject!
Yes, I also think we still can enjoy the landscape, and that the works are cool and fun. Maybe not all, but the majority 😎
I think art is all a matter of perspective, what I may like someone else may not, and vica versa, and thats all cool, would be boring if we all liked the same things
Indeed, that is also how I see the matter :D