Corner View: Out the Car Window

My husband is so good about indulging my hobbies and odd requests. Like last night, when I asked him to drive me, as slowly as traffic would allow, down 34th Street, so I could take a movie of the graffiti covered wall. He not only did that, but took us out for pizza afterwards.


This is what Wikimapia has to say about the wall:

"The "34th Street Wall" is a 1,120-foot-long slab of concrete formed in 1979, which forms the western border of the University of Florida's golf course along SW 34th Street and SW 2nd Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. The wall was put into place when SW 34th Street was widened, to provide a smoother roadbed and to prevent erosion of the hill onto the road.

It is the only place in Gainesville where public graffiti is permitted; at least, The Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department reported they have not charged anyone with "criminal mischief" for painting on the wall. Graffiti is not a big problem in town, but some people consider it an eyesore, some people say it's part of the town's character.

Artwork ranges from basic "buckets and brushes" to professional sprayers/taggers; sometimes it can be artistic, other times downright crude and profane. Typically, the nicer the work is to the community, the longer it stays in place. Memorials, celebrations, congratulations, and other statements which are made here in paint on concrete. The paint averages about three-quarters of an inch thick from the concrete surface.

The most iconic part of the wall is a tribute to the five victims of the 1990 Gainesville murders: A simple black panel with the names of the victims painted in red and white. Occasionally, if the nearby panels or if an ignorant painter covers it up, within a day or so, the "memorial" is restored to its former glory and simplicity."

Wikipedia adds:

"The wall itself is most notable for being covered with layers of graffiti up to an inch thick in some areas. Messages painted on the wall have included marriage proposals, birthday wishes, graduation announcements, celebration of athletic victories, public awareness, promotion, and tributes. Musician and Gainesville native Tom Petty once noted that among the first things he saw when returning to Gainesville for a concert was a welcome message painted on the wall. Although most of the graffiti on the wall is done by students at the university and members of the community, there is occasionally "tagging" and professional graffiti."




The host for Corner View is Jane of Spain Daily. She always has beautiful photos of her corner of the world. Then continue your tour of the world with the other blogs listed on her sidebar.