Street art, Ghent, Belgium, 2005 by Phil Douglis

Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Five: Stimulating the imagination with “opposites and contradictions” > Street art, Ghent, Belgium, 2005

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14-JUN-2005

Street art, Ghent, Belgium, 2005

It was shockingly contradictory to turn the corner of this narrow, winding 15th century street to find a wall so vividly painted with 21st century graffiti. I was not expecting to find it. It plays past against the present, and asks the viewer to weigh the values implied. The so-called “light at the end of the tunnel” effect implies relief from oppressive confinement of the past, yet offers the chaos of the present instead.

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Phil Douglis		23-Jul-2006 17:34
Your voice adds much to what has been a remarkable discussion, Ceci. Everyone who has commented so far sees the image slightly differently, which is the mark of an expressive photograph. You see that smiling face as a contrast to generations of past repression symbolized by the narrow alley enclosed by dark walls. Graffiti, which often represents protest, grows ever stronger as the walls reach towards the light at the end of the alley. Your view of that smiling face as a "whiff of new times," offers a fascinating counterpoint to the other interpretations so far.

Guest		23-Jul-2006 05:01
A wonderful bright and shining invitation to let go of the Old World and its monarchies, state control, rigid tradition, pomp and circumstance, and to embrace what the youth of today have come to share! How appropriate that the main illustration is one of a smiling face, so welcoming and filled with happiness, and that there is an ear segment showing -- seeming to symbolize how an older generation might do well to listen to what the kids of the future have to say. Which is always a challenge, since resistance among the age gaps is so ingrained. To me this is like a whiff of new times after centuries of repression.

Phil Douglis		07-Jul-2005 00:41
Thanks, Sean, for this observation. Your discussion here of "progress" and seeing the black tunnel sloping down through time to the present day is valid. In other words, we have come all this way for what? You are right -- the graffiti is alive with color, yet it also represents anarchy, chaos, one message superimposed upon another. Everyone talks at once in our times, and nobody appears to be listening. Ambiguity is the name of this image.

Sean McHugh		06-Jul-2005 23:10
As others have already said so well, this is a great image both for its symbolic value and as a visual treat. I wish to offer another perspective on the old/modern discussion though. I still see attempts at grafitti expression in the corridor, however these individuals have not been given proper light to be seen and deliver their message. The end of the corridor is far more "alive" and expressive. To me, that's progress. On the other hand: is it just me or is the path sloping slightly downwards as it "progresses" towards the modern grafitti? :) Maybe this is reading into it to much; the photo can hold its own on visual appeal through color and light alone.

Phil Douglis		06-Jul-2005 22:42
You breathe new insights into this photograph, Marisa. A circle of art, past and present, is another way to look at this image. From the cave to the graffiti wall, humans bring darkness into light by expressing themselves. A nice way of summing this image. Thanks.

Guest		06-Jul-2005 21:50
Art in the street... grafitties and walls and roads... and light and darkness... everything here seems to be brething art: old and new... but art! Because walking in a 15th century street is a way of being surrounded by art (I had that experienced when I visited Asisi, in Italy). This 'past' street is in darkness (like the middle age itself). But at the end, what we can consider our modern time, we find another art expression: the grafitti, also related with the street.: colorful and full of light! I find a beautiful 'circle' of art.. maybe is just the human nature... since those ancient painting in the caverns till the nowadays grafitties... the human soul needs the art to express what is inside: beauty and ugly, love and hate, revolution and evolution, dark and light... feelings, emotions, human values.

Phil Douglis		02-Jul-2005 19:18
Thanks, Jen and Kal, for your valuable comments on this image. I am fascinated that Jen views this image in reverse. You see this as a study of today, with a reference to yesterday as context. I saw it as a reminder of yesterday, with today coming as a jolting reminder of the times in which we live. This shows us how flexible expressive photography can be and should encourage both of you to try your hands at making images that can be read in opposite ways. And yes, Kal, I agree that there seems to be more of a threat in the aggressive screams of graffiti, than in the mysteries of the past. I thank you for observing the "painting with light" aspect of this image as well. Ever since I began using the spot metering option in my cameras to read the light, my palette has become darker, my colors more vivid, and my images more abstract. Painting with light is what expressive photography is all about.

Kal Khogali		02-Jul-2005 13:09
I can't add much more Phil, save that it is ironic that we feel safer in the dark of this 15th century street, than we probably do walking towards that light. Graffiti is at one art and threatening, I have always found that incongruous. As ever you paint with light, I am in awe.

Jennifer Zhou		02-Jul-2005 10:20
My eyes was instantly led to those mordern street art, and then come to notice this ancient street I am wallking through. Yes, it is in the dark, but doesn't mean to be forgotten. This colorful, dazzling new world seems in a second attract all our attention, but after a moment of thinking, what I see here is the childish of this new world on the stage in front of our deep, tolerant of long history.

Phil Douglis		02-Jul-2005 04:41
You saw what I wanted you to see, Alister. After wandering for centuries in the darkness, this is what we find at the end of the tunnel!

alibenn		02-Jul-2005 04:31
This is a graphic classic and my favourite in this gallery. The blandness of the walls juxtaposed with the illuminated far wall with it's colours is a very strong metaphor for humanities implied progression and move into civilization...oh yes, like we're proud of that!!!? As I look at the image again, I have flipped the metaphor so I am looking back at the ugliness of modern life over my shoulder, as I stride into the simpler, less cluttered alley, turning my back on the light of modern life!! A great image Phil, well seen and executed...

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