August 26, 2002
The Street Story in Geneva
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| Graffito. |
In the only neighborhood that I'd recommend spending any time in Geneva, Carouge, there is graffiti literally on every wall. Architecture in Geneva is a bit plain, but suprisingly the upkeep is rather easy-going. It needs to be more vigorous, since numerous graffitti writers have covered the walls everywhere.
Interesting thing about this writing, is that it is singularly uncomplicated and direct (perhaps just as the Swiss are otherwise). There isn't an artistic contest going on. They are trying to be as prolific as possible.
This bit up to the right seems to say "clairez" under an X, and to have some purple arabic writing above it.
The battle for the streets of the french-speaking youth and the arabic imports, disaffected all around and lashing out against the uncaring walls of the world? It's not for me to judge, I think.
A bizarre and ridiculous counterpoint, the billboards of the Protestant Church of Geneva are preaching a quasi-religious economic message all over town. See here. As best as I can understand, the billboards say things like "Recovery is...moving in together" or "Recovery is...always aiming higher". Odd thing, "recovery" in this context is meant to refer to economic recovery. So, the Church is encouraging those hoping for an economic recovery to think also about the spiritual recovery. Is there any spiritual movement in America (leaving devotion to Greenspan or the Maharishi Mahesh aside) that makes any reference at all to macroeconomic conditions?
Posted by amol at August 26, 2002 03:23 PM