Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner. Everyone seems to be walking with a slight skip or bounce in their step. After our long Canadian winters it really does feel like the people were coming out of hibernation in mass somehow.
The trendy, the tourist and the locals were all out bustling along their favorite streets such as St-Denis, Mont Royal or Sainte-Catherine. I zig zagg’ed my way through the crowded arteries while wandering down the alleys to see what new pieces I might find.
I was on another of my cross city treks, starting in the east of town near the stade olympique and walking to the Mont Royal plateau for a total of close to 10kms. A few weeks ago when spring had only begun making it’s presence felt I had visited one of the legal walls to snap some pictures. The difference in the quality of the pieces from one week ago to today was surprising. Like everyone else, the artist had been drawn out by the sun. The city itself seems to increase it’s pace, gearing up for the summer that’s soon to arrive. Everyone wants to be more productive: The cyclist we’re out in force, the runners could be seen buzzing through the side streets, the cafe’s and sidewalks were full of people.
The area these pictures were taken is a well known legal painting spot. It’s a tunnel that’s also located near the local graffiti shop so it pieces tend to get painted over very quickly. It’s a strange art. There’s a lot of work involved in creating these pieces yet they don’t last. Seems counter productive doesn’t it? None the less it makes visiting the spot fun for a few reasons. The pieces change at a fast rate and it’s safe to visit alone. There’s a lot of art in abandoned buildings but wandering them alone isn’t always an option. Some of the nicer ones taken from today are below. I believe these include some pieces from the members of the local graffiti store:
The piece below was located in a park I came across. It appeared to be some type of utility cabinet that belonged to the city. I doubt the city authorized the piece but I think it looks nicer than a large grey/black/metal box in a park.
Regardless of where I’m walking it’s become second hand nature to look for pieces of art in strange places. My eyes are always scanning the mailboxes, rooftops and alleys for anything that stands out. I’m normally more interested in what might be painted in the alley beside the shop, or on the mailbox in front of it than what it has for sale in it’s windows. Whether you call it ‘tag’, a stencil or some other spray painted piece:
I feel the need to say for the record: I don't condone or support writing on other peoples property. That being said the two tags here were nice and I have particular interest in doors. You come across many doors in the back alleys that are covered. For the most part these doors are not seen by anyone other than some delivery drivers and the artist who draw on them.
I leave you with this final picture that made me laugh. It's a mix of French and English when translated to English says "C'mon honey, I'm horny". It's obviously recently been stuck on because the weather and other writers haven't worn it down yet. Signs of spring perhaps?
I grabbed myself some Thai food, got home and relaxed for the rest of the day. It’s seeing some of these pieces that makes me wish I’d be more productive and pick up drawing as a hobby. Procrastination aside It was a nice day to get lost in Montreal.
mtl_dokkaebi
