This is a little alleyway I pass by nearly every time I walk home from the gym. It’s such a typical street scene around here; after a year and a half here, it still intrigues me even as I’m kind of getting used to it. I’m always fascinated by this typically Polish mix of old and new, modern and old-fashioned—the contrast as marked as the slick advertising on a shabby wall.
And this early 1900’s-style architecture: The beautiful window box you see in the center of the picture is a winter garden—like an enclosed balcony—and many apartments and big old houses have them. It’s a kind of way to have an “outside” in the cold winter. They’re lovely: Look at the woodworking detail and the pretty lace curtains. That compared with the modern day additions, including the grafitti and that giant smiling mouth.
I adore street art but the tag-style grafitti around here makes me—literally—crazy. I firmly believe anyone selling a can of spray paint should also require the buyer to take an art lesson. This is not Banksy, it’s vandalism. Okay, off soap box. (But so easily right back on.)
Happy Friday! Here’s hoping you find a few thought-provoking street scenes in your neighborhood too!
