Graffiti haiku from Spain





Graffiti is a rightful appropriation of public spaces (similar in spirit to Schwitters' Merzbilden) that, in my view, can add a degree of artistic beauty to what will be an otherwise dreary cityscape. I recently saw graffiti art in Spain to equal, in energy & individuality, Joan Miró's art logo (such as the one at Barcelona's biggest bank, La Caixa) and public installations: in fact, compared to it even Miró may look bourgeois, perhaps even outdated (ironically, the very criticism he levelled against his rival Picasso). Portuguese street artist Odeith's wall murals are remarkably striking creations, and though his work's found in the slums of Lisbon, they seem as much a part of the urban aesthetics as the ports, cathedrals and glazed facades. This contemporary work by the new masters has the distinctive feel of both art and social protest.

Remarkable as the graffiti sketched and sprayed on walls, city barriers & highway overpasses is, there are also the hundreds of abandoned farm houses strewn along the countryside whose walls have been turned into a living canvas. The arid landscape, rather than being violated in any way, drew a vitality from the colourful lettering and designs that was remarkable to see. The real Prado resides here. Needless to say, the result proved to be particularly inspiring to me.

Despite the language difficulties, I've constructed a series of 'graffiti haiku' comprised of actual graffiti (in italics) and the more readable business adverts given in English & Spanish. Their juxtaposition everywhere was too tempting to overlook. Purists might object to their abject lack of authorial 'vision' as if language as I saw it displayed in a foreign country couldn't be trusted to speak for itself. Nonetheless, it's my hope that the 'break' (kireji) between graffiti and commerce signals a significant contrast between two very different language sets. To capture some of that prevailing 'social protest' mood is a prerequisite to what I've tried to do here.

sonar tzar—

pont du Diable

Olae!—

olae! olae! olae!

Tzar!—

Nitrato de Chile

spore—

prats de rei

Ibex—

torrente del Martí

Crux—

merci, gracias, thank you!

Hank—

la seu d'urgell

Koooors—

abierto dies y noches

Rabia trick—

Mc Auto

Game 1492—

hotel

AKA Topa—

zona de servicios

Poeas suck—

Cars & Cars