On page 52 of the November TRAINS is a graffiti blighted photo of a UP genset. The photo was a runner-up in the TRAINS 2020 photo contest. The winning photos are said to be "magnificent metropolitan masterpieces". I suspect I will be told the graffiti photo portrays art, creativity, realism and the vibrancy of the city. But should such an ugly photo be awarded a prize in a railroad photo contest? I'm not burying my head in the sand and I recognize that graffiti is reality and is an ever present part of the railroad scene today. However, I'm asking if I am alone in reading TRAINS seeking pleasure. Do I need to have sad reality flung in my face? The photo left me depressed and a bit sick.
nhrandBut should such an ugly photo be awarded a prize in a railroad photo contest?
Yes.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
No, Celebrating vandalism is never acceptable in any form.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper VaporoNo, Celebrating vandalism is never acceptable in any form.
I fail to see how a photograph is "celebrating".
zugmannI fail to see how a photograph is "celebrating".
Calling it a "magnificent metropolitan masterpiece" Might be
If one expects the photos to be art, then one wants more than mere snapshots or record shots. Art provokes thoughts and emotions.
Some would probably consider a railroad as graffitti on the landscape in and of itself.
Well, it is provoking thoughts and emotions, isn't it?
Art is in the eye of the beer holder. Bottoms up!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
nhrandI'm not burying my head in the sand and I recognize that graffiti is reality and is an ever present part of the railroad scene today. However, I'm asking if I am alone in reading TRAINS seeking pleasure. Do I need to have sad reality flung in my face?
Personally, I completely understand the contempt for vandalism aspect. I would be livid if I came out of the house one morning and found some tagger had dressed up my automobile.
But at the same time, railroads seem to be going further and further out of their ways to be less than ideal neighbors.
So, if I had a neighbor who regularly went out of his way to [promote his own self interest at the expense of others].....I might get a chuckle seeing his car had been branded.
zugmann Semper Vaporo No, Celebrating vandalism is never acceptable in any form. I fail to see how a photograph is "celebrating".
Semper Vaporo No, Celebrating vandalism is never acceptable in any form.
Do you own a car or other vehicle? Do you own a house or other building? How would you feel if I came over and painted some "metropolitan masterpiece" on one or more of them? We could all gather around and admire the ART work. Take photos and publish them... maybe one could win an award for artistic merit.
Semper VaporoDo you own a car or other vehicle? Do you own a house or other building? How would you feel if I came over and painted some "metropolitan masterpiece" on one or more of them? We could all gather around and admire the ART work. Take photos and publish them... maybe one could win an award for artistic merit.
I'm going to ignore the false equivalence for a moment...
If you want a photo of urban area - then yeah, graffitti is going to most likely be there. Railroading isn't always clean, shiny trains in a field. If that's what you are into - then go for it. But it's silly to try to force your ideals onto things like (checks notes) railfan magazine photogrpahy contests? Their judges decided they liked that photo. As simple as that.
We have people celebrating the graffiti of urban "artist" "Banksy" (I don't think he's into railroad cars yet). If you want to incur wrath, paint over one of his masterpieces...
Railfans decry tagging as defacing those monuments to our passion - no question about that.
Taggers see it as mobile billboards of their craft, to be admired by others of similar mind, as well as territorial markers of a sort.
But tagging is also on the taboo list for this forum, as I recall, so we should keep that in mind.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Railroaders see it as: "what's that car number??"
I believe there is a feeling in our culture that we are required to speak approvingly of graffiti. Some rebel against that and others bow to it. But it is a crime to vandalize property, just as murder or beheadings are crimes. Rioting and burning buildings is a crime. Can it also be an artistic masterpiece? Of course it can. It is in the eye of the beholder. They get to decide what is art.
zugmann Railroaders see it as: "what's that car number??"
I've heard that some "artists" actually take pains to leave the reporting marks, etc, intact so their masterpiece will remain untouched that much longer...
tree68 We have people celebrating the graffiti of urban "artist" "Banksy" (I don't think he's into railroad cars yet). If you want to incur wrath, paint over one of his masterpieces... Railfans decry tagging as defacing those monuments to our passion - no question about that. Taggers see it as mobile billboards of their craft, to be admired by others of similar mind, as well as territorial markers of a sort. But tagging is also on the taboo list for this forum, as I recall, so we should keep that in mind.
The photo is the artwork, posted on this forum as the rail photography runner up in a Trains contest, obviously perfectly abiding by the Trains forum rules.
tree68I've heard that some "artists" actually take pains to leave the reporting marks, etc, intact so their masterpiece will remain untouched that much longer...
Many are. They also are avoiding Chemtrec/data placards and the reflecftive striping.
charlie hebdoThe photo is the artwork, posted on this forum as the rail photography runner up in a Trains contest, obviously perfectly abiding by the Trains forum rules.
Indeed, and as such perfectly allowable. In fact, it's hard to take a picture of railroad equipment that doesn't include some rattle can "art." It's the discussion of the relative merits of tagging that sometimes gets out of hand.
tree68But tagging is also on the taboo list for this forum, as I recall, so we should keep that in mind.
But obviously Kalmbach did not keep that in mind in their photo selection.
BaltACDBut obviously Kalmbach did not keep that in mind in their photo selection.
I'm not so sure that it is the subject matter that is the problem, near as much the battle of wills that invariably take up sides around it.
Convicted One BaltACD But obviously Kalmbach did not keep that in mind in their photo selection. I'm not so sure that it is the subject matter that is the problem, near as much the battle of wills that invariably take up sides around it.
BaltACD But obviously Kalmbach did not keep that in mind in their photo selection.
That is what they say. I guess that cannot happen when it wins a phtoto contest though.
VANDALISM ! Is a Criminal act !
Anyway you cut it.
It is destruction of someone else's property... IS A CRIMINAL ACT !
It is punishable under our legal codes.
Ig got its start in time when railroaders did not have personal radio communications; chalk was distributed to employees to note various specifics on individual rail cars. It was the 'signatures' of those making the notes on cars, that gained individuals some modicums of notariety.
As (tree68) Larry noted: The invention of the 'rattle can,' and it relative low cost has led to what has become known as 'tagging'.
In times pas.... The railroad police did a relatively even job of controling acxcess to rail cars just in the Yards... Now with circustances causing cars to stack up on unused lines throught tghe country, and relatively, unsupervised locations; the 'art' seems to be becoming ubiquitous. The 'auto-rack' seems to be a ;particular 'target' for tagging... particular, in the early half of this 2020 have they become rolling displays of filthy language, and deviant. and surreal presentations.
rant off!
Euclid I guess that cannot happen when it wins a phtoto contest
Well, when you think about it, they from time to time write about political subjects in the magazine as well, where they can control the narrative.
Here on the forums, sentiment can turn rabid quickly, and run away......
samfp1943 It was the 'signatures' of those making the notes on cars, that gained individuals some modicums of notariety.
Such as "Kilroy"?
Convicted One samfp1943 Such as "Kilroy"?
samfp1943
Absolutely ! and do not forget that 'other' guy "Pedro" who sat under his sombrero and that palm tree ! Just to pin down a couple !!
Convicted OneHere on the forums, sentiment can turn rabid quickly, and run away......
Which is the reason for the ban. Pretty much the same for politics.
I've always marveled at some of the talent. How they retain awareness of a 10-20ft long mural when you're working at arm's length is something that I couldn't do.
When I was at Fostoria a few weeks ago, I found that the tagging made it easier to count cars on unit trains. I could glance around and come back to a particular car because of the unusual colors. Before anyone thinks I'm a millenial or something else insulting, I'm 61.
Tagging adds colors to the rails. Remember the days when railroads had actual color schemes and designs? Now your lucky to get a logo in addition to the reporting marks.
Irrespective of the artistic merit - how they can get a position 10 - 15 - 18 feet from the top of the rail to be able to do anything that is coherent is mind boggling.
samfp1943 Just to pin down a couple !!
I've yet to see Eustace Tilley painted onto the side of a boxcar? Perhaps that is a little too "highbrow" for your run-of-the-mill tagger? And would The New Yorker magazine sue for IP infringement if one ever did?
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