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Reverse graffiti

Posted in visual stimuli by pea on June 14th, 2006

Go Gentle

A UK graffiti artist going by the name of “Moose” makes his art not by painting onto walls, but by cleaning them. He’s been doing it to the ever so predictable annoyance of local authorities who are resolutely calling it vandalism. Apparently the council of Leeds has even asked him to “clean up” one of his pieces. Besides the fact that his works are obviously already clean they usually last only a few days.

The technique dubbed “grime writing” also holds interesting symbolic values. It accentuates the fact that our cities are getting increasingly dirty because of air pollution. The grey coat that covers many buildings, tunnels and streets and that is usually almost forgotten - or at least part of mundane scenery - suddenly becomes visible to all.

You can see some more of Paul Curtis aka Moose’s work at symbolix.com.

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10 Responses to 'Reverse graffiti'

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  1. User Comment giles said,

    on June 22nd, 2006 at 7:09 pm

    very nice. I always like to see the mind applying lateral thinking & moving on.

  2. User Comment Siuol said,

    on August 2nd, 2006 at 5:25 am

    Moose’s work is tight- anybody know the cleaning agent he use to scub the walls clean?

  3. User Comment julene said,

    on August 6th, 2006 at 1:49 am

    Ive seen both Adidas and Persil (washing powder) advertising in this way in the UK. Also the logo of an new music artist (plan b) ‘graffitied’ (sp?) in this way. It looked pro rather than done by himself. Street team work requested by his management?

    Anyway, its not taken long for it to become used by corporations.

  4. User Comment pea said,

    on August 6th, 2006 at 2:51 am

    Maybe he want to earn in order to do a larger larger project. Let’s hope so?

  5. User Comment julene said,

    on August 6th, 2006 at 3:09 am

    Oh, I dont think he did them. they just copied the idea. : )

  6. User Comment pea said,

    on August 6th, 2006 at 3:12 am

    He did commercial work, for Xbox amongst others. See site.

  7. User Comment pea said,

    on August 6th, 2006 at 3:12 am

    Which appears to be… ferschweunden!@

  8. User Comment julene said,

    on September 3rd, 2006 at 9:09 pm

    Ariel advertising in London. [h]

  9. User Comment julene said,

    on September 3rd, 2006 at 9:10 pm

    oh damn, i posted some pic but they are not showing. see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jollyness/232528074/

  10. User Comment pea said,

    on September 4th, 2006 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks Julene :)

    I’ll look into posting images in here, needs to be possible.

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