Superbowl Sunday Part I: The Canal

When am I ever going to get the chance to be this close to the Superbowl ever again?

That was my thought and motivator all last week.  Normally I don't give a flip about sports, but a huge cultural event like this doesn't happen literally just a few blocks down the road every year.  Fortunately my lovely school, Butler University (apparently we have a very good basketball team) provided shuttles for the students to go downtown and experience the Superbowl festivities.  So I took my lovely friend Steph and her camera down to the danger zone to get a closer look.

Now, one thing you must understand is that Steph and I are not Indy natives so we had no idea where we were going...more on that later.

 The canal has quite a bit of street art around it, it was very beautiful sight!  It's just so hidden I didn't realize it was there until the shuttle parked us out in no-man's land and made us walk a marathon to get to the main events.  IU also provides gondola rides May through October, maybe another thing to check out in the future?

I just had to upload a picture of this guy; that photobombing biker is my hero!

 (That water looks so artificially blue)

This is me on the other side of the canal; Steph thought the lighting under the bridge was very pretty!

If you can't read that it says: "Quetzacoatl Returns to see Himself in the Mirror."  If you don't know who Quetzacoatl is, you should read up on Mexican/Aztec History.

  I wish I could have investigated this picture a bit more, but I was on a time limit.

Batman and Banksy

I was going to write this entry solely on Banksy, the elusive street artist, when I found society6.com and saw probably one of the greatest paintings I have ever seen:

I didn't know whether I should burst out laughing or write a check to the artist, Jack Teagle.

Society6 is a site which, like hitRECord, features amateur and skilled artists alike.  The main difference is that Society6 is a bit more polished commercially; yes you do have to pay for the art, but you can buy it on a canvas print, clothes, iphone cases, laptop coverings, or simply as framed prints.  Of course, as a huge Batman and Star Wars fan, I was intrigued.  Even more so when I stumbles across this painting by Arian Noveir:

Now, I like taking walks while I think about my writing, and while I was doing this a thought came to me: aren't Banksy and Batman, in a way, quite similar?  Bear with me for a moment as this sounds a little far-fetched, but think about it: they're both mysteries, somewhat dark and broody, they have become cultural symbols, and they both have a point to get across to society.

I couldn't help but notice how banksyfilm posted this on my birthday two years ago.

The first time I came across Banksy was when I saw his documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, in my Arts and Society class.  After watching the movie and reading the question and answer section as well as the "regulations" on his "shop" (which isn't really a shop, mind you, he doesn't seem to mind it when people use his images) it became quite obvious that this man has an attitude. And by that I mean that he is a snarky, brusque, smart-ass.  I don't enjoy cursing, but there is simply no other way to describe it.  Not that I mind, he clearly likes to make sure his point is given and maybe he is a no-nonsense kind of person.  Honestly there is an amusing appeal to it, sort of like why people are attracted to Murdoc Niccals from the band Gorillaz (thank you, Phil Cornwell).

If you come across an image from Banksy's website that you like, I suggest you save it, as it may be taken down.

Banksy's secrecy is his strength and probably the source of his admiration.  I have no doubt that he has made quite a profit with his art shows, but his fame began with him leaving images on the walls for the public to see for free.  He's sending a message to society and actively campaigning for change.

Just like Batman.