Neighborhood Highlights
UPDATE, July 14: According to the Washington Post, BORF has been arrested. Perhaps because I don't own any real property bearing BORF marks, I'm somewhat ambivalent and lean slightly toward seeing BORF as public art than graffiti. It will take some time, however, before all marks of BORF are eliminated, much like Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty. One could even argue that the fleeting nature of the work is part of its appeal (though this isn't entirely consistent with Borf's avowed Situationist influences).
ORIGINAL POST:
Even in a city as straightlaced as DC, there are some small moments of public creativity from time to time. Nothing as extensive as the murals and mosaics on the south side of Philadelphia, but still something to brighten the day...
Heading north on Connecticut Ave, as you cross the Taft Bridge, Marilyn Monroe stares down on the crowd and wonders "why's everybody in such a ----ing rush?"
Further up the street, magic-marker scrawls appear on mundane objects -- mailboxes, guardrails, newspaper boxes, road signs.
"Borf [hearts] pizza!"
"Borf writes letters to your children."
"BORF IS INTENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Yes, Borf (or a copycat) has passed through my part of DC a few times. My favorite Borf stunts have taken place closer to the river, though, in much more public ways. I'm still looking for a better shot, but this one (now removed, from the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge heading into DC) will do for now.
Other commentary on Borf:
Thinking About Art -- with extensive commentary on the intersection of graffiti and public art, and the source of the lovely picture to the right.
Visual Resistance -- including an interview with the legend himself.
I do miss the string of Borfheads stenciled on the entrance to the Whitehurst Freeway from the Key Bridge (alas, no picture available) -- Borf is apparently no longer winning.
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