Update April 7, 2013

This amazing electrical box graffiti is totally off the beaten path. Does anyone know, who done it?

Since my last posting about Calgary street art, many more brilliant pieces have come on my radar. Like the creation of anthologies, where it comes in to question which pieces of literature “make it” into the edition, my celebration of Calgary street art also feels confined to what I consider “worthy” or “art” so feel free to send me your personal favourites as well.

Oftentimes we limit ourselves to the art we gravitate towards rather than open our minds to someone else’s interpretation.

That being said, I took it upon myself to scope out a few murals that were recommended to me. The iconic mural to the left is difficult to spot in the hullabaloo of the everyday jaunt but if you veer your gaze upwards on Centre Street in China Town you’ll be able to see this cultural emblem. Unfortunately, I have no idea who to credit this piece to so any insight would be appreciated.

A friend of mine who has her ear to the ground for anything cultural was at the recent unveiling of the East Village Mosaic Mural, which apparently is the largest free standing mural in Canada. And if that doesn’t impress the onlooker then the mural itself surely will. The artist, Ron Moppett, describes the mural’s five panels as an allegory to Calgary’s genesis and change.

The day I took this photo it was clearly cold and dreary but looking at this mural not only sparked a flame in me, it literally coloured a landscape that can lend itself to ennui. The photo does not do it justice so I tried to photographically deconstruct it here:

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that both Ron Moppett’s mural and the subsequent one can both be found along pedestrian-only routes. There’s something to be said about the relationship between walking and appreciating art. And although I’ve heard mixed reviews from passers by about the photographs of the bare-chested swimmers along Riverfront Lane, the fact that there is controversial art being discussed is something to be celebrated.

I find the mural below so romantic. It’s on Stephen Avenue and it comes across as a celebration of all of the types of women in Calgary, but mostly the ball-gown-wearing types, of which I’m sure there are many.