Monday, November 01, 2010

Classic art can be such a pipe dream

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID:131-6570)


Sometimes you see Renaissance-style art in the strangest places. This mural brought me to a halt as I walked down Lygon Street in central Melbourne about three weeks ago. It's not a huge wall, more like a small rectangle tucked into an inconspicuous spot beside the cafes that line the famous stretch of road.

But look carefully at the mural and you'll see that the exterior pipes have obviously been there for years. This in turn would suggest that the mural is fairly recent, and has been painted around the pipes.

Look at the image below and you'll also notice a clue that Lygon Street is famous for its cafes and multicultural cuisine. Can you see the glass that someone has left on the low parapet on the left? And there's something else there too, that I didn't notice until I reviewed these images on my computer screen - the artist has left his mobile (or cell phone) number under the dials on the bottom left-hand side of the image.

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON (Image ID:131-6570)

32 comments:

Brian Miller said...

nice...while the placement is odd, it kinda redeems the old pipes by stealing the eye...

Unknown said...

What an imagination! Perhaps the artist left this (and his number) as a CV?

Eddie Bluelights said...

You might say, "A bit of a pipe dream!" What was Aristotle thinking about?

Johnnny said...

I called the guy up at 01352067, but he told me to call back later around 11, when I did what he told me it started to ring, then some lady at the end of the line started to sing, they didn't have children but a parapets, a fish named wanda and a horse named bets, after finishing painting his home stars and stripes, he was off to his real job painting art around pipes.

Maggie May said...

Amazingly unusual place to do such are work.
It is amazing what catches your eye!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Shrinky said...

My goodness, what a strange place for the artist to wrap his art behind - and what an eagle eye you have to have spotted it!

aims said...

A true artist can utilize any space and turn it into something beautiful. This artist has.

Saz said...

great title...l keep thinking chicken or the egg?

btw...inspired by yourself, Merisi and Daryl initially l started a photo only blog a while back, if you haven't popped by already here is the addi..although you have probably seen most of them David on my Redbubble pages

I have to find my hard drive as l have lots of images l can use...must get to it...

http://capturingcarlisle.blogspot.com/

saz x

Akelamalu said...

WOW that's amazing!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Whoooops! Sorry you already thought of the pipe dream title! LOL Just noticed it. Well great minds and all that!
Very unusual outcome to the original painting though.

Hilary said...

Good catch. I wonder if the artist had to pay the piper.

Bernie said...

What a beautiful mural and to think of involving those pipes is awesome.....I love it....Hugs

SandyCarlson said...

Really neat. I admire the talent and resolve of the person who created this beautiful work there.

Kathryn Magendie said...

When I lived in Louisiana, LSU finally began uncovering some old Fresco-style murals - some underneath paint, some behind walls! it was facinating...as this is!

imac said...

Good way to get tour work known and to get work.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Brian - that's exactly how I saw it!

david mcmahon said...

Yes, Jane, I hope the artist has received lots of calls on the basis of that artwork.

david mcmahon said...

Eddie, ol' Aristotle knew a thing or two!

david mcmahon said...

Johnny,

His phone was busy
He was talking to Lizzie!

david mcmahon said...

Very kind of you, Maggie. I had the camera with me, as always .... so I had to stop to take a quick couple of shots!

david mcmahon said...

Shrinky, it's a really interesting street, and you and your clan would love it.

david mcmahon said...

So right, Aims - that artist did such a good job in a confined space.

david mcmahon said...

That's great news, Saz - will definitely check it out. Thanks so much for letting me know.

david mcmahon said...

It's kinda subtle, Akelamalu - and I reckon you'd only notice it if you were looking FOR it rather than AT it.

david mcmahon said...

We're on the same wavelength, Eddie!

david mcmahon said...

Hilary - that is SUCH a witty comment. You have completely trumped my title.

Bravo!

david mcmahon said...

He must have been so creative, Bernie. True urban art!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks very much, Sandy - so wonderful to see your comment and thank you very much for sollowing my blog.

Great to be in touch with old friends after such a prolonged break of more than a year.

david mcmahon said...

Kathryn, what a great story. I love that kind of revelation.

Must Gogle it for more details.

Thanks so much for the visit and the comment. Really appreciate it.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, iMac - just proves that artists can use any "canvas" they find.

Jules~ said...

What an interesting piece of work. I am imaging how the artist painstakingly took the effort to paint behind those rusty pips. Thank you for sharing your lucky find.
Blessing to you today.

spacedlaw said...

Amazing painting in a rather incongrous place.