The words “Coming soon to this location - charming ruins” are quite pointed. (And that’s without considering their source, the Paris Uprising of May 1968 - click the photo for more on that.) Blackall Street (London) is most definitely a ‘back street’ - a fairly grotty one at that, though it could be far worse - and some of its buildings beyond their best. Even so I’ll happily make a detour to check out its charms: what art’s been added; how are others bearing up? And I’m not unusual in this respect.
I easily persuade myself this street has some charm. Similarly, some are bemoaning the loss of 50s style as buildings are demolished in Sheffield to make way for a new market. No, they had no style, they were cheap and ill-advised replacements for bomb-sites. The few stylistic touches they had just push, no, jump heavily on, a couple of generations’ nostalgia buttons: concrete, plastic covered iron handrails, mosaic tiling and metal-framed windows have that power.
Run-down places apparently can hold a certain charm for those of us residing in the comfort zones. This is definitely the case where good street art brings new layers and meanings; where architectural details catch our eye or imaginations; but also where we invest our sentiments. This kempt / unkempt business really interests me and, it seems, is a false dichotomy. The difficult issues of gentrification also spring to mind. Hmm. Anyone care to offer their thoughts?
All the same, it’s a shame a few run-down bits of Sheffield haven’t been beautified with decent street art…
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