The integrity and identity of historic urban spaces the world over, is under threat from unbridled growth and global integration. Especially in third world countries, where cultural heritage takes a back seat to new found aspirations of development & progress, despite the efforts of conservation groups.
But when managed sensitively, it is the very contradictions and incongruities of changing urban landscapes that define the character of great cities and form the essence of their appeal.
This mural by Jeff ‘Aerosol’ (real name: Jean-Francois Perroy) titled “Chuuuttt!” (Ssshhh!) is a self portrait that is not as it seems at first sight, an admonition to be silent, but his way of urging people to stop and look around, to admire the beauty of a historic city, “to listen to the soundtrack of the urban world” that according to him is so much more than the sound of cars and police sirens! The work that was inaugurated in 2011 took 4 days to complete, used 200 spray cans, 6 artists and covers 350m² of wall space. The red arrow on the cheek is apparently a recurring signature.
Does this juxtaposition work? You tell me.
The Urge To Wander 
Wonderful imagery! Hard to beat Madhu. I’d better start looking through my photos to see what I can use for this week’s entry 😉
Have a great weekend!
M
Thank you Ishaiya, you too. I have no doubt you will come up with a brilliant interpretation 🙂
I love this. I see street art like this in Brussels, tucked between medieval architecture. It makes you stop and look, doesn’t it?
It does. I would love to go hunting for street art in Brussels 🙂
brilliant choice Madhu … I do love that juxtaposition!
Thank you Christine. I do too 🙂
Very interesting point! There is something thrilling and exciting when the modern is placed next to the old like in your photograph above, showing the continuum of creativity. Cities can’t remain museums, although preserving historical districts is important. I guess it’s all about keeping the best of everything!
People and their perception of aesthetics is a continually evolving process, so a rigid attitude to conservation would never work. That said I find mindless ‘development’ very depressing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts MCD.
It works perfectly; a true juxtaposition of different art styles. Great shot for this challenge, congratulations Madhu!
Thank you Jaime. Glad you think so 🙂
I really like this one!
Thank you Cee 🙂
I love the intimate sense of complicity within this stunning juxtaposition!
Me too. You wouldn’t expect something so startlingly different to work, but it somehow does!
It works for me. 😉
And beautifully written, too!
Oh thank you Riba. That is very kind of you 🙂
I love this…modern art next to architectural antiquity. It really works!
It strangely does! Thank you Bikerchick. I appreciate your visit and comment.
This is perfect. The architecture and the art, just lovely.
Thank you. I loved it too 🙂
I was next to that place one month ago…but didn’t see it. Ok, it was night (as in my pictures http://icezine.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/juxtaposition-weekly-photo-challenge/ ) 😀 . A great juxtaposition!
Ha, thank you Iceman. This would be easy to miss in poor light. Off to check out your entry 🙂
He seems to be reminding us to be quiet in church. It works very well…lovely Paris.
Ha ha, he certainly does 😀 Thanks Debra.
Just discovered he is actually telling them to stop and listen!! 🙂
It is so contrast. Good shot….
Thank you Nurul. Happy to ‘meet’ you, and hope to see you around 🙂
An excellent shot and entry for the challenge Madhu! Love it! 😀
Thank you Sonel 🙂
Great image Madhu, and I think the juxtaposition works well….
Thank you Sue. I just discovered the name of the artist and have edited the post to include the details.
Well done!
like many of your commenters I agree it does work.
Thank you Pianolearner. Nice you of you to have taken the time to second those comments 🙂
It’s a pity that our heritage buildings in developing countries are gradually disappearing due the imbalance of forces of modernization and the forces of preservation 😦
The picture here is a treat for the eyes 🙂
Thank you Dilip. Does the concept of conservation of historic city centers exist at all in India? So many of our cities have already lost all original character. Bangalore is a prime example.
Great photo, Madhu. This would have been great in my CBBH Photo Challenge this month, too. It’s STREET ART! 🙂
Thank you Marianne. Shall pop over to read your CBBH post. I stopped linking to it, because I don’t always abide by the blog hop rules.
Brilliant addition!
Thank you Jennifer. A pleasure to see you here 🙂
Love this
Thank you Bluebee. Appreciate your visit and comment 🙂
Oh, I hate this…and love this…and really hate it…but do love it…
I feel that way too most times Ann Christine. My first reaction is usually negative. But if I spend a while to really look at it it tends to grow on me. I have added a few more details about the mural and its artist if you are interested 🙂
I am!
Well spotted, and a great take on the theme.
Thank you! I happened to have the right shot. I have an image of the same spot from 2008 that shows a bare white wall!
Wow, that would be completely different, it’s interesting that you sort of have an evolution in your archives.
Works fine to me!
Thank you Dugutigui. Hope all is well with you 🙂
Here I am, like a scalded cat … 🙂
All the best to you!
To you too 🙂
What a perfect and fascinating image for the challenge! Well done to you, 🙂
Thank you Sylvia. Shall be over to see your interpretation soon 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks Shikha 🙂
It works for me, I love street art and the scale is perfect here 🙂
Than you Gilly. Have updated details of the mural if you are interested. Was way too sleepy yesterday night 🙂
Great Madhu and I hope you’re refreshed now!
I am Gilly thank you. Loads of catching up to do though.
What a great juxtaposition of tradition and progress, Madhu. But I really don’t like to see this kind of thing when I encounter it in my travels. The street art detracts from the ancient sense of solemnity that the Cathedral evokes. Great pic for the challenge!
I feel that way at first too Cathy. But it does seem to work in some areas. I have an image of the same space from 2008, and the bare white wall where the mural now stands is certainly uglier. Never noticed it then! Viewed as a whole, with the Stravinsky fountain and the Pompidou centre, you have to admit, this is eclectic and funky 🙂
You’ve nailed this one. move to the top of the class
Ha ha, thank you good sir 😀
It’s always difficulto to put together modern and old, classical and extroverted. I do love our european cieties very much, some of them (like Paris or Madrid) they had to accept pictorial disputes into “classical” spaces . If you want to emphasize, we may think even at the ancient walls and temples of Rome that arise everywhere inside the urban reality of this century… Serenity 🙂 claudine
A few decades ago I would have hated this with a vengeance Claudine. My tastes have evolved since. I think I have become more open minded and accepting. And once I get over the initial shock, I quite enjoy the eclectic display. But only in certain settings. the same mural juxtaposed against the Notre Dame would have been shocking! Are you back from your trip to Egypt?
Fabulous juxtaposition!
Isn’t it? I should have posted the long shot including the funky Stravinsky fountain as well, to give an idea of how eclectic that area is.
wow! that’s awesome!!!
Thank you Stephen. A search just revealed the name of the artist: Jeff Aerosol (Jean-Francois Perroy) who has left his mark across several big cities including New York and even Beijing! Have just added a description to my post with the details. Thought you might be interested 🙂
Perfect capture for the challenge, Madhu! Fun and thought-provoking…about the balance in the world 🙂
Thank you Ese. Balance is the magic word. I am kind of like a stuck record with that line on progress eating into heritage 🙂
Without a shadow of a doubt it works, Madhu. I could reflect on the message it sends all day.
Rather complicated isn’t it? Have just added a description of the mural and its artist Kate. Was too sleepy yesterday to bother to Google.
Wonderful picture.
Thank you for you your continued support Ian. Much appreciated.
Whether it works or not… I can’t say. But it’s interesting… not offensive, really. Something to thin about.
I wouldn’t attempt such extreme contrasts in my home for sure, but in a public space it appears less shocking somehow. Yes some thing to think about. I appreciate your visit and comment Shimon.
What a great capture!!
Oh thank you TRS! A pleasure to see you here 🙂
Beautiful street art. Great choice for the theme, Madhu!
Impressive isn’t it? Thanks Uday
Interesting juxtaposition and a nice observation!
Thanks Niranjan. Shall be over to check out your latest adventures soon 🙂
Madhu, I was really struggling with this .. couldn’t get my head around the subject at all – you manage very well. *smile – this is great and well spotted. I think with this subject anything a bit odd goes.
Thank you for the compliment Viveka! You do a great job too always. Have no doubt you will think of something brilliant. Have loads to catch up with over at your place. promise to visit soon. Hope your hind parts have been kind to you 🙂
The loss of all our beautiful urban and historical spaces worldwide is devastating. This is a wonderful reminder, I love the juxtaposition.
Yes it is. I wrote a piece on the changing rhythm of the town I grew up in sometime back. The speed of transformation is frightening. Thanks for sharing your thoights Valentin 🙂
Fascinating picture – loved it! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you Ken. 🙂
I love the commentary you’ve generated, Madhu! 🙂 I’m a little negative on Graffiti too sometimes. You’re right- this one takes a little thought. Busy times, for you?
Very Jo. Have just been stopping by to post short photo challenges so people don’t forget me 🙂 Hoping to be back on board in a few days.
You’re not forgettable, Madhu. 🙂 I was just hoping everything was ok. Catch up when you can. There’s more to life than blogging (shock! horror!)
Is there? 😀 Thank you for the kind words Jo.
Excellent advice. We should all stop, listen and look around … don’t take our surroundings for granted. Love your photo, Madhu.
Especially in urban spaces where people are always in a hurry. Thanks Judy.
Great!
Thank you Ilargia 🙂
As always Madhu you provide such insight into each piece you post. This is an excellent selection for this challenge.
Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed it Luann.
Love this, Madhu! Excellent juxtaposition.
I actually think this works well together. Definitely eye catching, but more importantly to understand the artist’s intentions. I appreciate the explanation. Great example for the theme.
Breathtaking shots! Superb photographs of sights & signs in France……! Have you become a BLOG junkie.?? Hope not! :))
Have been one for sometime Harini 🙂
A girlhood cut short, due to your early move in life, to counting tea leaves…? 😄 and now the freedom to follow your inner dreams & desires!!!? Way to go Madhu….. ! This is called FAFOF…!!!😝😝
At the risk of giving away my vintage, what exactly is FAFOF?
Oh, it works!!! And a great shot too, Madhu. I’ll make sure not to miss it the next time, if it is still there…
It will be there alright. When are you going next? I am hoping to return for my sister’s fiftieth next year 🙂
You are going back with your sister? 🙂 That’s cool Madhu. I have no idea when I will visit it again. I would like to do it once more in this life time. I don’t dare make any travelling plans for next year, as I don’t know if I’ll have any work and resources by then….
That is the plan, but my sister has way too many commitments – daughter just into college, son still in school, and a year old job (in the US) – so I don’t know whether it will happen. But we dream and talk about it 🙂
Yeah, but to most people who wouldn’t know about its background story, it still serves as a warning to be quiet. A mural that visible, I bet it works. 😀
It certainly does. Thanks Rommel.
I kind of think it works. It’s tastefully muted “large” and well-done. I suppose it’s inevitable that murals appear on old buildings, and sometimes I think they are an improvement. Knowing the story behind this one makes it interesting. Enjoyed considering the question that you posed here, Madhu.
Haha, this is a great capture! Wonderful piece of graffiti!
I love your Paris pictures. You bring me to a place I dreamed of visiting when I was younger. Well, I still do. 🙂
Brilliant shot of a fascinating subject.
I have to admit that, at first glance, the natural xtaposition of the mural and the church was much too jarring for my liking. But after reading your post, I got it. While I sure wouldn’t be one to advocate the practice of murals popping up alongside the beautiful, traditional architecture of historic churches, I do like the message this mural tries to impart. Great picture, by the way. It certainly met the guidelines for the weekly challenge!
My thoughts exactly. Thank you for taking the time to tell me SPFischer. Much appreciated.
Stunning photos ………..Kolkota’s Victoria Memorial, and the ghastly (now iconic?) modern cube structure plonked dead centre inside the classic Parisian Louvre Museum. But with your interest in catching just the right angles & light for the photographs, are you able to find time to soak in the atmosphere too? Sure hope so… This last, BTW, was another Blogger’s observation, when he realized that he had been producing fantastic imagery, while the feel and the appreciation of the places he traveled to see, got lost in translation while capturing the images…..! Not a criticism….just an observation that struck a chord in my mind…!
Oh yes I do. The trick is to allow yourself enough time at each place, rather than blitz through them in a group. You will understand if you read my post on Humayun’s tomb. Appreciate your stopping by Harini.