The Narwhal and The Cavalier

Sep 9, 2008

The Narwhal and The Cavalier

by Steve Smith

Art happens where you find it. Although I in no way condone desecration of private property, I can’t help but be fascinated with the railroad car graffiti along Eighth Avenue. I mean, who would take the time to craft this narwhal on the side of railcar? Why a narwhal? Why so much effort?

I think one of the things that fascinates me the most is finding beauty in unexpected places. Some people might look at this as ugly, but there’s something I find quite sublime about it.

The same goes for this more rudimentary drawing right next to the narwhal. The lines are almost Matisse-like and the subject looks like a baroque cavalier out of a Rembrandt or Velasquez painting. Again, why?

Tags: eighth avenue

6 Comments, Comments or Pings

John C.

My wife and I were driving up 8th a week or so ago when I saw the narwhal out of the corner of my eye … This, of course, prompted me to say: “Did I just see a narwhal painted on that train car?” To which my wife replied, “Yes, I believe you did.”

We then spent the next 10 minutes firing off quotes from the movie “Elf.” It’s the simple things in life …

Sep 10th, 2008
1
John-Laurent

I was driving down 8th about a month ago when I first saw it. I went home later, grabbed a camera and went back to snap a few shots. It’s funny, “Fox and the Hounds” isn’t a bad name for a street gang, but who honestly adopts a narwhal as their logo of choice. Still… I wouldn’t screw with them.

Sep 10th, 2008
1
Steph

I love graffiti art . . . too bad it’s always relegated to vandalism. If I could buy it and hang it on my wall, I totally would.

Sep 10th, 2008
0
Chewy

Does anyone know if Yucatan or Fuzzy’s has any plans for narwhal tacos anytime soon? They sound delightful.

Sep 11th, 2008
2
Kevin Buchanan

Here comes a stingray
There goes a mantaray
In walked a jellyfish
There goes a dogfish
Chased by a catfish
In flew a sea robin
Watch out for that piranha
There goes a narwhal
Here comes a bikini whale!

Sep 11th, 2008
0
Kevin Buchanan

I share Steph’s problem with it all - sometimes, there is great art in graffiti. I just can’t look past the vandalism aspect, though.

Sep 19th, 2008
0

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