toichography (11. 873)

As much as an aficionado as I am of street art and knowing the disciplines of study and what things are called, I was surprised never to have encountered the above field from the Greek τοίχος for wall plus writing, and really enjoyed this recent episode from the always engrossing and enlightening podcast Ologies on the subject of all things pertaining to graffiti, public art and murals—both commissioned and non-commissioned—in this guided tour of the installations of the city of Philadelphia, considered the birthplace of the genre. It’s a funny, informative and thoroughgoing look at the nature of expression, the politics and policing thereof, and the place of sanction in common spaces and emphasises the importance of celebrating what’s in situ (see previously here and here) and local artists tied to their locale.  Take a field trip in your city to appreciate the murals and graffiti.