The Saint Mary's Graffiti Wall

Written in January 2015. 

        My journey and experience was different then I expected. I always had a curiosity about the graffiti wall. And when I found it I was shocked and in awe in what was in front me. When I arrived, I realized the wall was just far enough to feel isolated. All I could hear was the running stream and the birds chirping all around me. I was above the wall and I was trying to map myself a way down the hill. The rain made it incredibly muddy so when I started my way down the hill, I immediately slipped and fell. I continued forward but this time more slowly. Each focused step I took, I slowly placed on the ground. Eventually I reached the bottom and decided to sit on the green couch in front of the wall.

The artistic spray paintings were amazing. The word “jags” were spray painted around the whole area and it was also written in the left corner of the wall. Before arriving to the wall I remembered seeing a spray painted version of Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes mascot) in the dam area. He was smiling and giving me a thumbs up, he also had light red eyes, and he’s stripes were dark purple. On the wall was a frightened Trix rabbit. I found it hilarious that I found two spray painted versions of cereal cartoons. It is what I least expected seeing on my journey to the graffiti wall. 

After seeing the Trix rabbit, my attention turned to two white written letters on the top of the wall that said: “Trash Goddess”. Why Trash Goddess? I was amazed by all the artistic drawings on the wall, but the simple writing on the wall felt different and real. I stood up and observed the wet ground. Trash surrounded the whole open area. There were spray cans, beer cans, red plastic cups, etc. I get it now. 

The trash reminded me of the grove. The grove was clean and beautiful. But after being at the wall for sometime it felt just as beautiful. I was calm and enjoying the artwork and nature surrounding me. I felt the present and unlike the grove where I was reflecting on the past. At the wall I never lost my gaze at the wall. Both the grove and the wall were a different world then I was used to. 

After observing the wall for a long period of time I realized the spray paintings covered other spray paintings on the wall. I was curious to know what was behind every painting on the wall, and how many paintings were actually on the wall. I was also curious to know when the first spray painting on the wall happened. I thought about the future of the wall. I wondered if I came back to the wall in twenty years would there be new paintings on the wall? Or would the wall be gone in twenty years. I reflected on my own future; what is going to happen to me in twenty years? After asking myself individual questions about my future, I thought about where our world would be in twenty years. My mind could only imagine the dark reality that humanity will be forced to confront. I tried thinking positive thoughts but I couldn’t. I stared up at the trees and decided to walk to the stream to calm myself down. On the way walking to the stream, I found a massive glass bottle. I took the bottle and heaved it at the wall. The glass split all over the ground. I have always enjoyed the sound of broken glass, it made me feel better. 

     After observing my surroundings for a long time I decided to go back to Saint Mary’s. All I could think about while I was going back was the paintings on the wall. What meaning do they have to the popular culture of Saint Mary’s. I also was disappointed that someone took away someone else’s artwork on the wall. I would never destroy someone else’s artwork to display my own. But I solely remember that humans are strongly self-interested in themselves rather than others.