In Edgewood, near the Rhode Island Avenue metro station is this amazing, two-story mural called “From Edgewood to the Edge of the World.” It was created in the summer of 2009 through a partnership between the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the youth summer employment program, and Albus Cavus. It’s visible from both the red line metro and the new Met Branch Bike Trail, and of course to pedestrians using the shopping center. Love all that color on an otherwise bland retaining wall! More about the mural from the Washington Post.
How can you not enjoy walking through this colorful alleyway at 1344 U St. NW? On the left-hand side of the image we see part of artist Joel Bergner’s mural, “Afro-Colombian Mural: Currulao y Desplazamiento”, which pays tribute to the Afro-Colombian culture in DC (especially around the U Street area) and also around the world. Through this three-story painting, the artist hoped to educate the public about human rights issues and the displacement of people related to the armed Colombian conflict. Here’s another angle of this work. Bergner also coordinates Action Ashe, which, according to its website is a project whose mission is “to create social change and celebrate culture through public art.”
Below is a video of the mural inauguration, which “opened” on September 12, 2009.
Just one more of the many recognizable murals found on 18th Street in Adams Morgan. According to Cultural Tourism DC , this one was painted from a photo by restaurant owner André Neveux in 1980.
The figure is cabaret singer Aristide Bruant, as painted by the famous Parisian Toulouse-Lautrec.
This photograph was one in a set of “black-white-color” images that Matt created in his set of framed photography for the hallways of Union Row.
Playing with photoshop has proven to be a good way to work off the post-turkey day tryptophan and Jim Beam induced hangover.
This painted billboard is on Florida Ave NW between 8th St and Georgia Ave. I think these old painted signs are beautiful. Unfortunately, they are likely going the way of the dodo as modern advertising relies heavily on printed signs that can be continuously update to match their newest ad campaign. These harshly weathered paintings contribute to our city’s visual history and carry a certain “gravitas” that even the best designed modern billboard can not replicate. Modern retailers and restauranteurs should embrace the art of hand-painted murals and invest in one for their business. It will show a commitment to the neighborhood and enhance the block’s appearance.
This mural was always one of my favorite things about the Silver Spring metro station. You couldn’t look at it on your way to work without seeing the irony of the situation, people/penguins rushing around in their suits, somewhere to be. Sadly, it’s been down for over a year now, waiting somewhere in WMATA storage until the new transit center is complete in 2010 . The wood panels were originally painted by artist Sally Callmer and were only supposed to stay up for a year, but thankfully the piece was purchased for permanency by WMATA. Definitely looking forward to seeing it back up next year… assuming the construction stays on target.
I found this little painted window box in a not otherwise particularly pleasant alleyway in the Shaw/U St area. I enjoy the homeowner’s “Make Your Own Beauty” approach. These painted flowers added color, character, and life to a usually forgotten space. It is little gems like this that make wandering around the city so enjoyable. So hats off to you Mr. Fake Flowerbox Alley Painter Guy, thanks for beautifying our fair city.
Well someone in the Shaw area decided to paint the side of their row-house all crazy-like. hehe! Not sure it’s what I would have gone with if I owned an end house and therefore a large, blank canvas at my disposal, but I do appreciate the “whimsicality” of it. Reminds me of Dr. Seuss in a way.
murals to zora – albus cavus – eatonville
March 12th, 2009
albus cavus (who we have written about before and is generaly awesome) is doing the painting of Eatonville, the yet to be opened restaurant on 14th St….
…Eatonville is owned by Andy Shallal of Busboys & Poets fame. B&P is named after Langston Hughes (the “busboy poet” from his time at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1930′s). Eatonville is named after renouned author Zora Neale Hurston (Eatonville was the Florida city where she grew up). Hurston is a graduate of Howard University and is best known for “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”…
…various artists (w/the occasional little kid spray paint helper) are busy completing all of the artworks that will adorn Eatonville’s walls…
…artists are working in a variety of styles…using stencils w/hand detailing for what looks to be a Warholesque series,…
…some with ladders in precarious positions….
…HERE is a site about the events that they are hosting this weekend in the space (party on Friday and public viewing on Saturday). Check it out!
A large mural was installed in Adams Morgan that is in protest of clean coal technology. I assume that this is the product of the “This is Reality” group which have recently had a significant advertising presence in the metro. While I have not had a chance to do much reading on either side of this issue I really like the little dead canary logo that The Reality Coalition came up with so that is cool in my book. This particular mural features Ghandi, gas masks, and a group of anonymous workers.
The blurry (potentially headache inducing) affect is from my handi-dandi Lensbaby.
