Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Scituate Graffiti- Bad Writing



It struck me when I heard that the Scituate wind turbines were vandalized last month after a planned event of allowing citizens to participate in signing their names to the turbines.  After the planned signing the blades were enlosed by a protected fence which did not stop the "taggers".   Click here to read an article on the vandalized turbines thanks to Kelly Anne Clinton from Wicked Local. 


    I felt upset and hurt when I learned of this unfortunate event.  Especially after seeing many families take such joy and excitement in signing their names to the turbine blades on a snowy day while I was out snow shoeing in Widows Walk. (Below photo from the Boston Globe)

 Graffiti has become a challenging issue in Scituate.  The worst places I have seen are on Dad's Store and the Purple Dinosaur Park. 
 

 The Purple Dinosaur Park is supposed to be an innocent, inviting, and fun place for children to play. With its vandalized sign it is almost as if it has a deep wound that won’t heal. It manifests a sense of chronic pain in my chest every time I drive past it.  I don’t even have kids but I can imagine this must be upsetting to the parents who do take their kids here.




I am guessing the culprits are teenagers and not the middle aged Dad or fragile old lady of the neighborhood.  I could be wrong but that is my guess.  Perhaps  the culprits  don’t see the big deal  the  negative impact graffiti has on their own community.  Perhaps they think of it as artwork and it makes them look cool to their peers.  However, it appears more like chicken scratch and seems to hold little artistic talent.  Who knows…




Every spot of graffiti is hurtful.  However one of the locations that upsets me most is if you are heading from North Scituate into Cohasset at the mile marker.  This beautiful town marker of granite has been violated.


I know there is town clean up day.  I think there should be a separate day for graffiti clean up.  I know the town doesn’t own Dad’s Store or some of the other places graffiti is found.  However, I would still like to help.


The only graffiti I find enjoyable is moss graffiti.  I came across this on Pinterest and have to say I was impressed.  A little ecology, horticulture, earth friendly, and creativity.  Perhaps for individuals that get caught can a) clean up their mess and b) learn how to do some artwork that others find appealing….such as moss graffiti in a designated area.    

respect for your community...