On the streets for the day - street art photoblog

Again, I ventured out onto the streets alone for the day seeking street art and amazing sights. I wandered for a bit, trying to find good graffiti, finally stumbled upon the mother load: May Lane. I walked back and forth in awe. Gawking as much as snapping photos, only half conscious that I was blocking traffic as I crouched in the road to get the shots I wanted.







































After I got everything I could find, I've dropped in to the St. Peters train station to catch a ride into the city and hopefully board a ferry across the harbor to the city of Manly.

Got off in downtown Sydney where I walked around looking for things to do before I jumped on the boat. First I had a quick look around Hyde Park then walked across the street to the Catholic Cathederal. A chill overtook me as I stepped in the door; I probably should have run away screaming, but instead I pushed on. High arches carved of stone framed stained glass murals depicting bible myths. The lighting was bad, but the glow from flat screen-tvs on almost every ancient massive pillar made up for the lamps. Sculptures and paintings of famous xtian heroes filled out the rest of the space. Clergy stood huddled in corners, whispering to one another. A few people sat in the pews mumbling to themselves but most everyone there was taking pictures. I joined the photogs. There was an underground crypt, but it cost $5, and I didn't want to give any money to the Catholics, so I continued my journey.


Hyde Park









Walking out of the massive doors I was facing the "Australian Museum" went to take a look but I knew I didn't want to spend a lot of time there, since the main plan for the day was to go to Manly. It cost $12 for admission, figured I'd go a different day and devote more time to it.

Next stop was the "Sydney Barracks" a building that was built by and housed Australias first white settlers, the convincts of 'the first fleet'. I went through the free section of the museum, buy stopped at the point where I would have had to pay $10... Perhaps I'm just cheap.

I walked past the New South Wales parliament building and thought, "Hell, why not pay the government a visit, tell them hello". So I strolled in the door and was directed to the metal detector. I put my camera bag and phone through the Xray machine and marched confidently through the metal detector. BUZZZZZ!!! Red lights went off and the whole deal. They asked if i had anything in my pockets. "A few coins, or maybe my belt."

"no it wouldn't be your belt, or just a few coins, do you have any other metal on you? Maybe those boots are steel-capped?"

I poked my soft-toe with my finger "Nope, they're not and that's all I have"

"Oh, weird, ok, never mind, go ahead."

I stared at the guy... Did I really just buzz a metal detector going into the parliament building for the whole state and was passed through by saying I didn't have anything on me that should set off the thing?

I asked if I should go through again, he declined and said have a nice day. I was floored.






some other fancy building I went into but got bored by.

After touring the parliament bulding, I made my way down to the harbor where I paid $12 for a round trip ferry ride to Manly... Next thing you know; I'm on a boat!









I'm stunned by the amazing views of Sydney and the harbor along the way. Then we pulled into Manly. I got off the ferry and was taken aback by how expensive and touristy the city looked immediately. I made my way to the Manly Art Gallery which was free, but incredibly small. Saw some good art then made my way back out on the town. I tried to find the fairy penguins which breed on Manly Beach but they were nowhere to be seen. I figured they're off duty for the winter. (it is winter here you fucking Yanks) The beach was nice, I tried to make my way to the bluffs but got a little confused and just went back to the downtown area. What I found there was a tourist trap of epic proportions so I quickly fled back to the ferry after just 2 and a half hours in the city. I decided Sydney was definitely more my speed.




Manly Beach


The boat ride back was nice, I made friends with a lady from China who was travelling Australia for a bit. She was very sweet, we talked about her dreams to send her daughter to the US for college and my work - job and art, both.



Off the boat I caught a train back to the Figure Eight Warehouse where I prepared a sushi feast for the whole house, and stuffed myself with the delicious goodness.

the fun never ends

I woke up yesterday after a long night on the town Saturday night; rain was pounding on the metal warehouse roof, sounding like a torrential downpour. A little bit fucking around on the interwebs, then I decided to call some of the people I had met the night before at the house party. I shot a call to one of the squatters and he invited me over for a bit.

I found a bike, and searched high and low for a lock. Eventually, I was pointed to a 30foot chain and a padlock... perfect. I donned my raincoat and took of into the world. The bike ride in the rain was nice, it wasn't coming down as hard as it had sounded from inside and as I rode I took in the street art. There isn't much graffiti cleanup here and the walls around town are completely saturated with spray paint, a breathing masterpiece commemorating countless artists and styles.

I got to the squat, about a 10 minute ride away, and was greeted like an old friend. The place was great, a two floor 'yuppie apartment' with nice design, incredibly clean, all the furnishings were working, clean and looked paid for. In fact, everything looked payed for, I'd have no idea the place was squatted if I hadn't been told. It looked like the cleanest punk house I've ever seen. Upstairs there were four people cuddled under blankets on the couch watching Star Trek on a laptop, Downstairs two more were asleep, and one watching a hilarious local TV show on DVD. The walls had a few art posters on them, no graffiti or damage anywhere. I was given a tour, multiple bedrooms, 2 kitchens a few bathrooms and a very well stocked fridge - thanks to local dumpsters. A freegan paradise. The bar/game room were a highlight, complete with fooseball and ping pong. There was also a decent zine library which pulled me in for a half hour or so.

I hungout with the inhabitants for a while, talking about the squatting scenes in AUS, the US and Europe. We talked about Food Not Bombs and other food redistribution programs. I was offered free range on the kitchen and made myself a quick dinner. veggieburger with avocado. One of the squatters was baking some home made gluten-free bread. "I have the allergy, but I find it hard to stay away from gluten" he explained. The bread turned out delicious and 'rustic', I asked for the recipe for my mom and he laughed, "Oh, I just made it up... threw a few things together".

From here we went down the street to a punk show- a few grindcore and power-metal bands from New Zealand were playing at a warehouse venue. The venue was great, covered in spray paint art, with a large hangout/game room in the front and the backroom where the bands played. I ran into a number of people I'd met at the house party the night before, and felt like I'm quickly integrating into this city.



After the show was over, I was invited out to dinner with some of the folks, but decided I'd had a long day and didn't have any more Australian money (I spent my last bits at the party the night before and as it was Sunday, no bank or currency exchange place had been open) so I went back to the warehouse.

It turned out I was just in time for movie night. They had setup a large projector, turned the couches to face and put out some beanbags. Pizza was delivered and we put on a pirated copy of Public Enemies. The video wasn't perfect quality and a short in the audio cords kept letting out periodic blast of static and feedback, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie - being a fan of both Johnny Depp and John Dillinger.

The night was winding down, I didn't have much interest in seeing second feature, the new Harry Potter, so I retired to bed and did a bit of reading, all the while thinking that I live like a pauper king.

Full days

Two girls and I went out yesterday morning to the 'DIY Market', a local Bazaar where anyone can come and set up a booth and vend whatever goodies they have. It started two and a half years ago illegally (they dont have any permits and no one pays taxes) directly in front of the Newtown Police station. In the time it has been running it has lost some of its original punk rock homemade craft feel and the regular market vendors have moved in, selling mass produced crap and various swap meet goods, happy to be in a place where they aren't taxed.



A couple hundred people gathered and milled about in between two music stages (one powered entirely by solar). Street punks, hippies, and bougie middle class australians all gathered together, some with political agenda of supporting an anti-poliitcal event, some to get a good bargin and some just to have a good time. People were selling everything from home made leather bondage gear to mass produced clothing, antiques and vinyl LPs. One music stage played Dub and Ska while the other had a CD-DJ and someone accompanying them on a Didgeridoo.



I stopped at a local shop for a coffee with my crew, then walked around and talked to people about the history of the market. Finally we retired to a park to smoke a spliff then went to a nearby bottle shop for beers.

We made our way from here down the street (ilegally) drinking our beers to one of the girls, Willa's, warehouse. Although the place had been condemned, 10 people lived there, paying rent and making it their own. Grafitti covered the walls and the there were bottles strewn about. We hungout here for a while, drinking and smoking, before heading back up to Newtown to the pub for my companions' friend's birthday. I bought her the first drink of the night, which impressed her and won her over to my side, even though she hates Americans; she kept saying I was great and how attractive she found my accent. We stayed at the pub for a few hours, I finally found a decent microbrewed beer: Fat Yak.

From the pub, we caught a cab to a squat a few kilometers away where there was a house party going on. I had some whiskey and cokes and got the party started.


The place was 3 bedrooms, with the dj and dancefloor in the kitchen. The whole house and backyard were all packed with people, 300-400 I'd say. A firepit in the back the the center of the yard, crew from my warehouse had it locked down all night. There was a guest house out back that served as a bar, selling beer, weed and balloons. The first dj played trance (yawn) which no one really seemed to enjoy, but things got better as the junglists took the decks and the party went wild. I was a hit - everyone wanted to talk to the American-anarchist-junglist-squatter. I connected with the local squatters and they invited me to come check out their places and the local scene. Exactly what I was looking for.

About 4:30 in the morning, after a bit of Dubstep, the party was winding down, and some friends and I caught a cab home. Back at the warehouse the after-party had already begun, and people from the squat quickly started filtering into the Figure Eight warehouse where the show kept on until well after the sun came up.

I caught a bit of sleep and am now thinking about going over to the nearest squat to check out the space.

the fun never stops. perfect.

Cadi Jam Ora

'Cadi Jam Ora' - I learned today, means "I am in Cadi" in the language of the local aboriginal people of Sydney Harbor, the Cadigal.

I spent the day touring the city by myself. I started off catching a train into the downtown area, I got off at the harbor where I found aboriginals playing music, selling CDs and taking photos with people for donations.


musician


sydney harbor

I made my way to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where I saw amazing plants from around the world. The succulent garden and fern garden in particular were amazing.  I had a picnic on the lawn of Government House. Checked out a great time line of awful colonization and relations with the Aborigines. Took pictures of plants, bats and birds: ibis, crested cockatiel and flying foxes.


Commemorative sign complete w/guano.


government house


Pemulwuy - Aboriginal Hero, known for: killing Governor Phillips Gamekeeper, surviving multiple gunshots to the body and head, escaping capture while in leg irons, raiding settlements and wearing colors of all Aboriginal tribes -leading him to also be known as The Rainbow Warrior.










crested cockatiel


ibis


Flying Foxes (yes... that's a bat)


flying fox, in flight


tweety bird


statue in the gardens


lovely flowers


ditto


pitcher plant









Went across the street to the New South Wales State Library where I saw the Heritage Society exhibit including pages from "Schindler's list" and an exhibit about Charles Darwin's trip to Australia and New Zealand, which I was lucky to catch as it ends in 2 days.


Library


a page from Schindler's List


Journal from Darwin's shipmate aboard the HMS Beagle.


Platypus drawing from Darwin's exhibition.


Firearm from aboard the Beagle.

Grabbed a coffee (long black, thanks Leif) at the library cafe, and headed to the Mew South Wales Art Museum.  It is incredible, hosting pieces from all over the world.  I was particularly impressed by the aboriginal art - an exhibit called "the dreamers" and the contemporary stuff, as well as all the classic masters - Monet, Van Gough, Picasso & Rodin.  Left as the museum was closing and met a local artist who had lived in Los Angeles for a bit.  We had a nice talk while we walked, and he showed me where to catch a train to an anarchist bookshop.


Gallery


Monet


Van Gough


Rodin


Picasso


they had a great Japanese Sword Exhibit.


Aboriginal Artwork








The bookstore was well maintained and hosting a meeting of the collective that runs it. I was glad to see that boring meetings are not exclusive to American anarchists. The collective was discussing a local commie group's proposal to use the space for some event. The collective was concerned but gave it a green light. (I suppose they didn't recall the First International, or the Spanish civil war, the Krondstadt Rebellion or any other instance when the fucking commies turned their guns on anarchists who had helped them.) The collective is decidedly anarcho-syndaclist, but no one is perfect. The place reminded me a lot of Bound Together in The Haight district of SF. They had been in the space for 30+ years and are just about to pay off the mortgage on the building. I stuck around and bs'd for a bit then walked the 4km home in a light rain as none of the anarchists had cars to give me a lift home.

Some homemade pizza topped off the night.