Toronto Magazine - Premier 2008 - (Page 15) Cityscape around town Paint by neighbourhood As noted from the earliest caveman’s markings, individuals have depicted their hopes and fears through graffiti. This graphic art is a contemporary form of underground language. The best-known ancient graffiti are those excavated from the catacombs of Rome and ruins of Pompeii. Poetry, lovers’ names, favourite gladiators, pornographic drawings and political abuse frequented such walls. Graffiti is a dreamlike production. Using symbolism, it represents suppressed elements in our society. Through the use of a word, phrase or illustration, graffiti demonstrates displacement and timelessness as well as immediate impulse and graphic expression. These are the hallmarks of the unconscious. Every city has its own type of graffiti and Toronto is no exception. Graffiti forms reflect political, sexual, commercial, artistic and recreational attitudes in idiosyncratic ways by the graffitist. Here, these wall canvasses are poignant, intimate messages — social commentary, political outrage against anything from communism to chauvinism, ads for rock groups or even underground movements. Although this type of graphic expression can be found throughout the city, it is most common in the downtown core. Artistic graphics can be found in and around alleyways lining King and Queen streets between University and Dufferin avenues. This type of candid scenes may publicly reflect some of our own unspoken inner feelings. These designs and expressions of art may even outlive us — the only remnants graphically reflecting the times of our society and ourselves. One of the most enjoyable aspects of graffiti is its artistic simplicity and whimsical approach to rather profound concepts. Recreational public art can be artistically enjoyed as well as thoughtfully contemplated. Consider the textured backdrops as well as the more obvious coloured messages and script. The life span of graffiti can vary from a matter of minutes to thousands of years. What you see today may be erased tomorrow, so enjoy it. By Dr. Douglas H. Frayn toronto | 2008 15 The jokesters The world’s most prestigious comedy festival spent its 25th anniversary in Toronto and had such a delightful time that it’s back for more in 2008. Craig Ferguson of the Late Late Show, Howie Mandel and Russell Peters stole the show during last year’s event. Just For Laugh’s first foray out of Montreal had Torontonians and laugh-thirsty visitors howling in what became one of the funniest weekends in local memory. www.hahaha.com/toronto Photos: (top) Dominic Ayre; (bottom) Doug Brown http://www.hahaha.com/toronto
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.