You may have spotted this turtle-like design spray painted on to pretty much any flat surface that is in clear eye-sight of passer-bys. I started noticing these images, or tags, sometime last year. First it was on a rock, then above the shops on Hillsborough st. Next thing you know they spread like cancer to newspaper stands, trashcans, doors, and bus stops. My eyelids began to feel this burning image of this abstract looking “turtle” on every plain surface. So yes, I chose them as a celebrity because, well, they are in the spotlight. Constantly. Who ever said celebrity status is a good thing…?
If these vandals’ purpose was to mark their territory…well done, I can’t even go anywhere on campus without looking for it. I expect it. And now, it’s almost like a game to me. I am in no way condoning these graffiti artists, rebels, vandals, or what ever they may be, I am giving them the ultimate stage. An online tagging, one done by someone they don’t even know.
Maybe now they will recede. Learn that they HAVE been seen. They HAVE influenced my days and some of yours too.
But if you are going to do something and have the capability of impacting so many people, like you are, why not something that the people like? Take the Barrel Monster for instance. Local artist, Jospeh Carnevale, dared to break some rules to create an amazing piece of work from some construction cones (okay, huge barrels) and create a ten-foot monster on Hillsborough street. Locals admired his work despite his rebelious deeds of mangling property and support his efforts in more barrel creatures – after his sentence to 50 hours of community service that is.
What I am trying to say is, if you have the ability to make an impact this huge, why not take it? Make our day if you are going to force yourself upon us. We already play the “I spot the turtle” game. It’s getting old. Maybe you should try to reverse it. Make it a scavenger hunt – clean up the turtle tags and make us find the last one! You’ll be like the Willy Wonka of Raleigh! Only, there will be no chocolate factory as a winning prize, but still.
Just a thought.