GUEST BLOG: Mapping Washington DC Outdoor Art - Expanded (Lots of Photo's)

[Badwolf] Here is Michael Antonucci's latest Update to the "Mapping Washington DC's Outdoor Art" which has become a DC phenom. With your help and Michaels hard work, this update has increased the number of mapped locations to over 250.
For those already using the Map, its an update that will add to the existing map/link. For those who have not tried it yet go here and check it out.

This, amongst other things, is a crowdsourcing project, so let Michael know if you find something not yet on the Map.

                                                                                                               

[Michael Antonucci]

Glad to have received such a great response on the updates so far. I'm going to be teaching in Austin for the next few weeks, so I'll depend on crowdsourcing for updates and additions.


I've added a bunch of new stuff; the map has over 250 locations, and I think they're all still accurate.


A few highlights:


1. The Georgetown Cliff


Georgetown's not the most promising venue for street art; high property values and a purse-clutching neighborhood association conspire to keep most everything sterile, including walls.


A ledge above the Key Bridge boathouse is a notable exception, though. If you don't mind lawbreaking and some risk to your personal safety, you'll see both a great view of the Potomac and accumulated years of graffiti.


2. Georgetown Garage Murals

One of the garages behind Sweetgreen houses a set of three Lichtenstein-ish pieces. The chain of ownership isn't clear, but they appear to be fragments of a larger piece made by Faile for a 2006 exhibition.


It's a weird placement, but it works. Concrete and fluorescent lights make the comic book images even more stark and dramatic.


3. Klingle Road Bridge

Klingle Road's a disused arterial road running east-west under Connecticut Avenue. Decades of neglect and placement under a huge bridge makes this a graffiti artist's dream. Art covers both sides of the bridge,


any nearby surfaces,
and even extends into the bridge's interior. The bridge itself is open and appears occupied, apparently since at least 2014. When I visited, a vase of fresh cut roses was directly in front of the bridge entrance. There's no natural light source, so bring a flashlight if you intend to venture inside.

If you do go inside, remember that this seems to be someone's home, and they don't have the highest housekeeping standards.

4. Maiorana Sculpture Garden

For years, engineer and sculptor Charlie Maiorana has used the front yard of his home at 4318 Fessenden NW as a display venue some of for his work. In the process, his house has become "something of a local roadside attraction." Guests are invited to step onto the lawn and take pictures.


5. Storey Park Paint Jam

I mapped this previously, but there's a wreck of new art, painted within the past few days. Works by Cita Sadelia aka Chelove , Rose Jaffe aka RoseInk, Eric B. Ricks, and others pictured.


5. Benning Road Bridge Tagging Arena

This location's features an unusual hidden gallery. If you're willing to scale a high barbed wire fence, this is a great spot for you. I saw the way in, since there's a break in the barbed wire perimeter. I took my pics through a fence, though - I'm neither athletic nor daring enough. Several artists have, though, which deserves a shout out for pure athleticism - it's like the graffiti decathlon.


6. Anacostia Freeway Graffiti Paradise

Train tracks and highway bridges are graffiti magnets. When the two meet, there's a paint explosion. The rail line underneath the Anacostia Freeway sports an host of colorful tags, pictures, and even old work from some of the bigger names in aboveground DC street art.


It's also legally accessible, unlike many above locations. Take the Anacostia Riverwalk trail.


[Badwolf] This is just a taste of what's been added to the Map...you can spend a few hours just going through it - and be amazed

All photographs copyright Michael Antonucci


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