We be three. We photograph. We write. We drink. Sometimes all at the same time. But we keep it classy. Or whatever the opposite of classy is.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
For Phil, Tyler and Adam
MT
If you are are a fan of "this" musician, the scene pictured here is undoubtedly a landmark here in Los Angeles that you should seek to visit. When I stood here, I thought of my old friends that introduced me to the artist, and then had one of those moments. It was fitting that the mural had been sprayed by taggers and graffiti artists over the years. (yes, the unique wall painting is the center piece to this whole story). It wouldn't feel right if the painting was unmolested....when my only means to share my photos was facebook, I titled the folder "Time Only Conceals"...(I never title pictures, only folders....yet this folder had but one picture....).....but I don't think that title was well thought out. At the real site, the graffiti worked its way up, reaching as far as anybody wishing to mark their own presence could extend their arms. In fact, I once read the painting had been partially covered over multiple times over the years, and the owners of the recording study; to which the painting belongs; had restored it as many times. Eventually, the owners or occupants will give up due to financial necessity; or will move or close shop and subsequently abandon the right to recover and revive the painting. Someone will then relocate to this address or a new business will sprout in the abandoned space. The owners or investors will quickly realize or will have predetermined an opportunity to advertise anything/something/everything important to their affairs, and the space on which the original painting currently rots beneath newer soil layers, a new history will be written. Many times over, in fact. And for some, just as important. Looking long down the march of time, I don't see a present sign or bronze plate of either sunken or raised letters arranged in a way that speaks to what 'once was'... and therefore, I don't see anything assisting the rare future pilgrimage; no placard will be funded to say "An important moment and symbol in a particular musical history occurred here, and, for many years, a reflective painting remained behind, commemorating this time and indeed attempted gracefully to weather the cancer of time, until it fell to the movement of time in 20XX - Paid for by the those who knew" In fact, if a placard ever does surface, it would be absurd. Having traveled to many great destinations, I often laughed when I found a placard that stated "So and So lived here, or the XYZ was formed here in 1622, You cannot relate to this, and anyone that ever likely could have cared, surely died 220 years ago, but this placard marks the site, nonetheless" I don't think Elliot have an opinion, one way or the other, but trust me....it will disappear as it should. The people remembering will always be relative to the people engaged....so as both fade, both can disappear without the need for true sadness to be considered. I should have written on my facebook folder, "A period in the time, in which I was lucky to be present"
Matt
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