To many, America is a behemoth of prosperity and success – a beacon of democracy that illuminates wealth and happiness. However to some, its infrastructure tells a different story altogether.
Urban structure is defined as the arrangement of land utilization in urban areas, and in the US, this utilization is imploding at an exponential rate. As of 2022, Over 16 million properties sit vacant in this country, bringing an overall vacancy rate to 11.6%. The Industrial Revolution created a sonic boom in urban structure, which we still hear the echoes of today. Unfortunately, most structures created in this time (or decades later as a result of the wealth that followed) are either no longer manageable by private individuals in today’s bleak economy, or are still used but create issues for the surrounding community due to complications with their age. For those who live in Upstate New York, this fact is all too apparent. Here there is no shortage of decrepit and abandoned structures – shells of places that were once congregations flooded with activity and livelihood. Places that once served very urgent purpose for the people and places surrounding them that now sit as bleak skeletons of the past.
In such a dystopian landscape, the burning human desire to create is no more apparent. These decaying structures have become the canvas for a community conjoined by vision. Whether you know it as “graffiti”, “street art”, or even “urbex”, it is likely that you’ve witnessed the art these communities have created in this theatre to project their own subjective feelings harbored towards their crumbling, surrounding worlds. “Walls of Expression” is a project highlighting the effects of a nation’s deteriorating infrastructure in the creation of this form of art, and telling the stories of those who are making the best of it through their own expression.
The section 8 housing in what is known as the “15th Ward” of Syracuse was constructed in 1938, making it the oldest public housing in New York State. In 2022, the city approved an $800 million budget to demolish and replace these brick buildings with new townhouses – an event which has yet to occur. The massive “JMA” sign of Syracuse University’s Dome looms overhead atop a hill in the distance – which has cost $188.63 million in construction and renovations since 1978.
There are approximately 1,800 vacant buildings within the city limits of Syracuse. According to syr.gov – the city’s government website, “To live next to a vacant property is often times to live next to a breeding ground for nuisance and crime. Vacant structures impact the value of nearby property. These vacant properties are not only a blight on the neighborhoods, but the city in its entirety.” However, where the city officials of Syracuse find trash, others find gold. More specifically, they find an opportunity for expression.
Graffiti artist “Four” researching materials for a new anticipated project of his. He has requested to remain anonymous throughout this project and be referred to strictly by his “tag name” – otherwise known as the alias graffiti artists use to identify themselves within their artworks. This is because the young creative was recently caught in the crosshairs of Syracuse law enforcement with one of his installations.
Four showcasing some of his sketchbook creations. A lot of planning goes into a graffiti installation, the more time saved the better. Sketching out ideas prior to embarking on his art crusades allows Four to go in and out of his locations as quickly as possible to avoid detection – as its usually classified under the law as vandalism.
As a creative, Four doesn’t only partake in graffiti, however. He’s actually quite adept in film photography. He mentions that a lot of his drive for visual expression comes from his struggles with ADHD, which directly fuels the art that is produced.
Four and his fellow artist “Blex” entering Morningside Reservoir for an early morning mission. This location is understood to be a shared canvas for graffiti artists in Syracuse for any daring soul that is willing to successfully paint here undetected. The massive tanks that have stood in place since 1939 are said to hold 10.5 million gallons of water, and like many structures from this time period in Upstate New York still actively serve the surrounding community. This is reason for concern, as a water supply housing built 85 years ago most likely doesn’t have the means to prevent Chromium 6 contamination – an extremely toxic metal that is unregulated by the EPA.
In research conducted by water filter company Hydroviv, Syracuse tap water averaged 57 parts per trillion of this dangerous element. The research further states, “…these levels are nearly 3 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk.”, something most Syracuse residents may be unaware of.
The duo scales a fence to access a more barred away portion of the water towers, using an old ladder hidden away on location by fellow artists for continued access. This is where graffiti artists and urban explorers alike run into more alarming conflicts with the law, as an act such as this usually scales a mere trespassing offense up to something more serious – such as felony breaking and entering.
Blex scales a portion of the tower in hopes to challenge his painting abilities and possibly insert his “throw” – a term used to refer to a quick but slightly more complex version of a usual tag – somewhere nobody else has managed to before. This is sometimes a common trend among graffiti artists, placing their mark in a place that will more likely garner attention towards their works.
Four beginning the “outline” portion on what he said to be his first three-dimensional throw. His past works consisted of regular two dimensional tags and artworks, two of which – the emoticon and black “Four” – are pictured on the lefthand side of the image. It should also be noted that the arrow pointing downwards on the “R” in Four is to indicate the hand signal of “four down” or quite literally just pointing four fingers down, a symbolic gesture marking one’s territory.
Spray paint can actually be an extremely versatile tool in artwork. It does not seem widely known that most graffiti and spray paint artists utilize different tips on their cans to produce separate effects, just as a painter would utilize separate brushes for different visual techniques.
Four admiring a previous and tidy throw of Blex, pictured in the orange font. Directly behind this throw we can see a simple illustration from a past artist, a clear expression of isolation and loneliness contained in the words “This lad wants love too!”. Locations that serve as training grounds for graffiti artists such as this reservoir tend to showcase collective emotions the local community may possess towards life – a way to broadcast what they feel to be the true voices of the people.
Both artists now rush to complete their works, as the sun is beginning to rise through the tree line and malfunctions are beginning to take place with the cans used for outlining purposes. Regardless of whether or not they’re able to finish, it is paramount that they adhere to the time cap they’ve allotted themselves in order to walk away free.
The artists insist that they pose with Four’s completed work, a satisfying feat for the new creatives. When asked about a clear goal or purpose Four may have with his art as a whole, he stated, “I think especially around here the buildings are so bleak and bland, so I aim to cover it with something bright and colorful and not only that but something thoughtful and full of effort – and hopefully someone else will see it and want to make something themselves you know?”
Four follows behind Blex in exiting the barred portion of the property, their mission having been successfully executed.