

If there’s one thing the Great Recession can teach us, it’s that one need not pay an admission fee and tip toe through the great white halls of the Memorial Art Gallery to be able to enjoy fine art. Rochester’s streets are a hotbed of modern artistic expression. All too often we dismiss street art as thoughtless vulgarity or worthless scribble. I say it depends on the frame; and the lens.

Throw on a French beret and grab your monocle. We’re hitting the streets and public spaces of Rochester to broaden our understanding of what art is…

Art sometimes forces us ask difficult questions. For example, is this a tribute to Bob Ross, or an imploration to NEVER become him? Regardless, he was a true American master. And a whole new generation now enjoys his great big puffy fro each day on their way to school. My favorite Bob Ross quote: “You can do anything you want to do. This is your world. You know me, I gotta put in a big ole tree.”



Art usually has an important message —

if you read between the lines…



Art is sometimes a bit cheeky. ‘The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls’ says the guy writing on railing above the subway entrance…



Art is often politically charged. Or risqué. Or both.

This billboard was taken down last week…



Art can be provocative…



Art can be poignant…



Art can be whimsical…



Whimsical #2…



Art challenges the status quo…



Art sometimes makes us ask, “Is this art?”



Sometimes art is classy…



Sometimes it’s not…



Sometimes it’s just darn funny…



And sometimes … art is profoundly wonderful.



Extra Credit:

The photos above are all local. The first person who can correctly pinpoint the location of just five (5) of these artworks will win a free Rochester Subway poster… a great gift for you or a friend!

One of the locations should be obvious to you – it’s revealed in the post.

Here’s another hint: 5 of the photos are within the City of Rochester. The rest are in the suburbs. Post your answers in the comments or on the RocSubway Facebook page and get your friends to help. Have fun out there!

UPDATE: Extra Credit is now closed. We have a winner! Congratulations Michael Rodriguez. The answers are:

1. Bob Ross: Rail bridge over S. Union St. Spencerport

2. Don’t Text: Rail bridge over 490 to 590 north

3. Words of Prophets: South Ave and Court St.

4. War: Saint Paul St. on north side of rail bridge

5. PatRIOT: Rail bridge over 590 south at 490

6. Peace Sign: Henrietta & Nelson St, Rochester

7. Whimsical 1: Titus Ave @ Irond Town Hall

8. Whimsical 2: Saint Paul & Winona, Irondequoit

9. No Originality: Canal Path, Martha St. bridge, Spencerport

10. No Poop zone: Canal Path, Spencerport

11. Say Please: 8 Rundel Park, Rochester

12. Missing: 120 Park Ave

13. Flexsteel Truck: W. Henrietta Rd

14. Love Life: A rock at SeaBreeze/Irond. Bay pier



This entry was posted on Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at 12:51 am and is filed under Art + Culture, Opinion, Rochester News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.