I live in one of the neighbourhoods of London which was hit hard by riots earlier this week. The area saw substantial damage to local shops which were looted and in some cases, torched. A reporter for Sky News, who also lives in the neighborhood, managed to capture on his iPhone, video footage of some of the frenzied attacks on the local betting shop - it went viral.
But in the immediate aftermath, as MDF boards were put up where glass fronts of shops had been, graffiti began to emerge. But not in the sense of spray can vandalism. Rather this was hand-rendered messages which made visible the feelings of a community defiant against such attacks and wanting to show support for local retailers and residents whose shops and homes had been destroyed. Soon, the shop owners themselves showed their gratitude by hanging signs alongside saying 'thanks' to the community.
So for the next few days at least I'll be looking at a situation where the shop fronts are message boards. People are still visiting the hoardings with their felt tip pens and spray can paints to leave their mark. This is vernacular communication at its most spontaneous and most inspiring.
Local cooking school and food shop.
Shop front as message board.
Message from one community to another.
Message of 'thanks'.
Posted by Teal
