Last fall, I was impressed by the multi-colored transformation of ivy on the side of a building above the Prospect Highway, which outdid the artistry of the graffiti underneath it. To my dismay, I recently discovered that the ivy has been cut back and entirely removed from the lower part of the wall, leaving a mass of dead leaves on dead branches still clinging to higher part of the wall, extending almost to the roof, out of reach.
Here’s the photograph I took in the fall. This wall has always been a mess of color and layers and patterns!
Now that the ivy’s been cut back, the graffiti below has resurfaced.
This part of the graffiti is placed so much higher than the rest – I wonder if it was done more recently, at a time when the ivy had already grown and covered the lower part of the wall. It’s like dating artifacts found at an excavation site!
The wall is so raw now – I don’t think taggers will be able to resist adding new artwork for long. And then perhaps the ivy will grow back and the cycle will begin again!
What a shame – it is not like the ivy was doing any damage. In fact it went so well with the colour of the building. I hope the cycle will start over, as you say.
[...] the ivy-graffiti still on my mind, I’d like to share some more amazing instances of climbing plants I’ve [...]