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Time Machine

Submitted by enpen on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 10:46pm.

July 1st marks one year of taking a picture of the Free Wall from (almost) the same spot (almost) every day. It's been a pretty incredible experience. I've learned a lot about that alley, taking pictures and graffiti in the space of that year and thus far I've only had one person yell at me in public for doing it.

Some fun(?) things about the alley from the past year: photos of it have now been a part of a show at MOMA, it is currently the center of a disinformation campaign by Olympia bicycle police who have been stopping by and telling people that the Wall is going to be shut down, it hosted a fashion show and several concerts, for the past several weeks it has sadly seen its dumpsters pressure washed by Olympia work crews and pieces of it have been distributed around downtown. It's an amazing space of incredible value to Olympia past, present and future. I look forward to seeing what it brings tomorrow...

enpen's blog
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"...center of a disinformation..."?

Submitted by chad360 on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 10:56pm.

Really?

...that seems odd, but I'm curious to hear this story~

The thorough coverage you have provide is almost scientific (like a field study), and the scope is impressive.

cruising by...

Submitted by enpen on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 3:25pm.

There are a couple of downtown bike cops who seem to be regularly stopping by the alley and either through loud conversation amongst themselves or in the course of conversation with people in the alley they drop a "it's too bad this wall is going to get shut down" or "what a shame this could all get taken away." I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish but so far it's only served to further embitter a bunch of people toward them and increases the likelihood of retaliatory illegal graffiti. If I were a downtown business owner I would seriously consider putting in a call to the OPD to ask them to have some of their Officers tone down the inflammatory rhetoric. As it currently stands the Free Wall and its immediate alleyway neighbors are much like a person throwing themselves over a grenade in order to protect everyone else.

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

I don't think there is

Submitted by Katherine on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 5:11pm.

I don't think there is anything the city could do to shut down the wall. At least, not with out causing a ruckus that no one wants. Code enforcement has no interest in messing with the wall. Where as some officers may have a problem with the wall, it seems to me that from the rest of the city's position if the paint stays on on the designated area, there isn't a problem.

I have to disagree that it is sad that the dumpsters got cleaned. City property is city property. I love the Free Wall and would throw a pretty big fit if anyone other than the property owner tried to get rid of it. It is unfortunate that the paint spreads to other parts of the alley that aren't designated as spots to paint.

the City needs to start thinking outside of the box...

Submitted by enpen on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 9:44pm.

The dumpsters at the Free Wall serve as an excellent example of how the City could "beautify" the alleys of Olympia. Commissioning artists to do some dumpster art would do a lot for Olympia.

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

a model

Submitted by enpen on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 10:56pm.

It would appear that Jacksonville has attempted this already. I couldn't find any information about them on their Cultural Council website but I've sent in an e-mail. Something like this would be, in my opinion, pretty sweet for downtown Olympia.

photo by Joey Marchy

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

art bomb

Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 9:22am.

well, I guess it is like enpen said with the grenade comparison...

...if the free wall was not there, the rest of the city could be faced with much more un-focused art.

Kinda like a superhero protecting us all, right?

I heard a disturbing rumor recently

Submitted by Logarithm on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 11:01pm.

...that as part of the gentrification of downtown, they might try to get rid of the Free Wall. I think there would be enough outrage to stop any potential removal. I'm really glad that you've documented it so lovingly. It really shows how much use it gets and how beautiful it is.

"It really shows how much use it gets and how beautiful it is."

Submitted by enpen on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 3:26pm.

Yeah, I think it's incredible. In fact, I've never seen anything else like it.

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

Thanks, Jason...

Submitted by Rick on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 7:03am.

...for being our guide on this journey. It's been a wonderful ride.

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt

and thank you Rick

Submitted by enpen on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 3:31pm.

For having the foresight to build a site that would allow community members to inform and communicate with each other about Olympia. Olympians are able to have a much stronger voice today than three years ago.

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

Outstanding work

Submitted by stevenl on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 5:39am.

An impressive feat of documentation on so many levels.

Accomplishment

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 11:18pm.

Congratulations on this accomplishment. I know it hasn't always been easy, but you persisted and persevered and you have created a monument here.

Bravo!

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 11:35am.

I see downtown Olympia through new eyes now.

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