street art

"One could read the battles of the walls much the way archeologists read stratigraphy- layer by layer- each layer of paint indicating a partial or temporary victory in an ongoing battle."

Peteet, 1996, article was really wonderful. The analogy she makes of unarmed people using stones as a weapon and walls as a medium was right on point. I also think it is important how she shows how writing on a wall uses the time in the same pace and style as the technological media which influences us today. Short quick messages and images of occupation develops intellectual thoughts and discussions in the community organically, everyday. One women Peteet interviewed said that walking to work everyday, she reads the graffiti on the walls. The young women tells Peteet that the walls are as informative and relevant as reading the newspaper everyday and it continues to show the community that people are still fighting the occupation.

I also enjoyed looking through the website which continues the discussion from Petees article and shows photos and videos of graffiti. The video of Banksy's work was really interesting as well. I liked that the website tries to show both sides of the opinion on his work on the Western wall. The following text is an example of a negative opinion of his work.

However, in a much publicized encounter, Banksy reported that he was approached by an elderly Palestinian man who told him that he was making the wall beautiful. Banksy thanked the older man, presuming this to be a compliment, only to be told "We don't want this wall to be beautiful, we hate this wall. Go home." 

This statement is a hard to take in. I really believe the graffiti movement has many positive aspects, but as always, anything that has to do with Jerusalem is complicated. I understand where this man is coming from and he has a valid point as well. I believe that the best thing to do with this wall, while it is still standing, is to cover it was writings and images which exploit the issue. I believe the graffiti movement places power in the hands of the people who do not have the political tools necessary to place pressure on the governments and empower their own voices at the same time.