This photo was taken beside the train tracks near Church Street, under Morrow Boulevard. We've been accused of always making Greensboro look even more beautiful than it is. Well, here is a photo of the less glamourous side of our city. Yes, we have our share of homeless people.
Given the garbage piles, this area looks like a popular place. Given the signed graffiti, we conclude Chris Smith was here. Who is Chris Smith? Does he look like his self-portrait? This is a Saturday mystery for the 12 oz. Prophet (a blog for graffiti aficionados). If you love photos of graffiti, one of the artists at Winter Light Gallery on Blandwood Avenue has some amazing photos for sale. Unfortunately, we don't see his name; however, his studio is on the second floor in the back room!
If you enlarge this photo, you can see reflections in the pieces of garbage; we can't resist joining the Newton Daily Photo meme (Weekend Reflection) this week. For some reason, we thought James was away.
hmm...
This looks very much like the underside of a freeway near Chez la Vache...
Posted by: Louis la Vache | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 08:32 AM
My question is---What were you doing here?
Posted by: Jane Mitchell | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 08:37 AM
We were in search of graffiti. Plus it is within view of the Art House, which we featured earlier in the week. So, in essence, we were killing two birds with one stone! as the saying goes. Not a place we would go after sundown. However, all was quiet when we were there. Now, as for the smell...........
Posted by: Greensboro Daily Photo | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Interesting reflection of life... We always forget the less fortunated when we visit some place, but they still are there, struggling for life... Thanks for this thoughtfull sharing.
Posted by: 'Tsuki | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Ugh! Doesn't look like a good place for homeless folks, though...more like a hangout for a bunch of miscreant teens...or just plain ol' bums.
Don't like graffiti in any form or fashion, with one exception: if the so-called artists draws on his/her own walls.
Interesting photo, though, and it doth raise more questions than it answers. Like someone else asked, "What were you doing there?" Oh, never mind, I see you answered that...stinky place, huh?
Have a fun weekend.
Posted by: Jacob | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 09:36 AM
Both text and photo make this in to a "strong" posting! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Gunn White | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 10:49 AM
An intriguing view of the underside of a road bridge. They seem to be like this the world over.
Posted by: zyzzyz | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11:01 AM
interesting photo and it does make me think about who left the message...kind of like a modern day cave painting...you are left pondering the humans who had spent time in this space...what is/was their life like?
Posted by: Laura Hegfield | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Good Morning ! You have hit upon another subject we have in common,Graffiti! Here in Southern California we have every kind of Graffiti from Gang tagging to extremely artistic murals and everything in-between. This is an awesome Dragon we found while on a short hike last Winter for my DHs Birthday. That is the Son-in-Law, George in the photo(not his work but he has been there and done that!)Link:
http://uberrhund.wordpress.com/
The Graffiti of a city tells a tale of who goes by ,what is happening , of aspiration and loss. The history and future are there and have always been free for all to see the more the merrier!
When we were in the UK we saw graffiti in ancient caves and vaults,some of it new ,most of it dating back hundreds of years.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Janis | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 01:24 PM
a bit on the ugly side. But sometimes you need to have a look at this sort of place.
Posted by: Steffe | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 06:13 PM
I am sure we have some of this type of graffiti in PC/Columbus area, but I have yet to see it. We do however, have a fair share of homeless people.
BTW, it's ok if your an Auburn fan. Sometimes we just can't help ourselves :-)
Posted by: barb farr | Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Ha! I think I'm guilty of capturing only the beauty of my rural Massachusetts home and surroundings. But it's always worth a mention of what's not so glamorous. Over-focusing on the run-down aspects of one's community is tricky, I think. I try to track a happy medium by taking photos of my downtown (which is trying not to look run-down but really is) that reflect people doing ordinary things like walking the stroller to the store or step into the local Subway shop for a sandwich.
I think Chris is not the brightest bulb on the tree, judging by his artwork. ;-)
Posted by: pagan sphinx | Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 04:33 PM