Caught In The Act

A little while ago I posted some images of the graffiti at Christiana Freetown in Copenhagen but it was difficult to get the shots because the locals weren't too happy to see me and my camera at work. 

In Vienna on the banks of the Danube I spotted these fine examples and then as I got closer I spotted the artist at work. I wasn't sure how he would feel about being caught on camera but since he was working in the open, in full view on a sunny day I took a chance. He looked up a couple of times so I knew he was aware and it didn't put him off.

It is quite an abstract work and each time I look at it I pick out something different. I wonder what you can see.  It is abstract but not totally random, for example can you see the dancing couple to the left in the third image?

Free State or Anarchy

Approaching these intricate murals you might think you are being led into a wonderful fairytale land full of fun and creativity, especially as this is in Copenhagen home of Hans Christian Andersen author of many famous fairytales including The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Ugly Duckling.

The reality however is very different...

This is Freetown Christiana.

It is a "self proclaimed autonomous anarchist district" in the borough of Christianshavn in the city.  It was originally a military barracks but in 1971 a group of squatters took possession after the military moved out, initially as a playground for their children but eventually it was seen as an opportunity to build up a society from scratch.  

It is a very "progressive society" and has become one of the main tourist attractions in Copenhagen. However as I stood at the entrance taking photographs I was warned by one of the residents that if I was seen taking pictures inside I would be chased out and my camera would be broken. We decided to go in and have a look around although felt on edge much of the time and when we saw the drug dealers with piles of cannabis resin and buds on display we realised why they would not want to be photographed and with my camera in hand I felt the eyes of the dealers and their associates on me everywhere I went so we didn't stay too long.

In spite of this the graffiti/artwork that we saw and that I did manage to photograph was of a really good standard and I was happy to get a few shots. However, there would have been so many opportunities for some great street photography but after the warning at the start I didn't dare risk it.

Up Above The Streets and Houses

So here we are in Florence or Firenze as it is more properly called.

I have been surprised that neither Venice nor Florence seem as busy as expected but that isn't a bad thing of course because it means less time queuing for things.

We drove here from Venice avoiding the motorways and at first I worried it was a poor decision because the road surfaces were rubbish and it was slow going, the scenery was also a bit dull. After about an hour however things improved as we drove into the hills, with vineyards and orchards and then up into the mountains onto the most exciting roads yet for this trip. There were switchbacks galore going up and down the mountains and I knew then I'd made the right decision to take this route.

Having checked into our 15th century palazzo we went exploring. We climbed to the top of the campanile, the bell tower to the Catedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. This was another Assassins Creed moment for my son and that helped him overcome his fear of heights. The views were stunning seeing the Duomo up close, looking out across the rooftops at the same time as being hailed with a chorus from the bells. That was an experience I won't forget.

Although I got some good pictures of the dome I decided to share just a close up of the roof tiles on the campanile itself. The building designed by Giotto was started in 1334 and it was completed in 1359 so this roof has been there for 659 years. I wonder if these are the original tiles...

In the streets below i spotted this interesting graffiti, I  often like to share the less obvious sights from the places I visit and so thought this fits the bill.

Stay Positive

I am not sure what was going through the artists mind when he painted this mural, and the moose is looking extremely chilled but I like the sentiment "Stay Positive".

There is a lot happening in the world around us that gives us reason to be worried but those that know me know that I tend to see the glass half full and so I am sharing this image with the message, regardless of what is going on "Stay Positive"

Supersized Street Art

Over the last few days my blog has been of various fungi and today I have taken things out of the forest into the city for this really cool street art.

In Toronto there are some really good examples of grand scale art and over the next couple of days I will share a few different shots from around the city.

Venice street art

More from Venice at night, a typical shot of gondolas, a quiet back street and some really cool graffiti/street art.

Hope you enjoyed today's pictures 

The real Venice

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So before we move on to our next stop here is another selection of pictures from Venice.  When you get away from the hordes of people there are some unusual and interesting things to see.

I've started with the by now obligatory shop window bunny.  Some might think it looks more like a hare, a pirate hare at that, but it's close enough for my purposes.

The second and the final pictures are of some more street art which was in a little back street away from the hotels and street vendors.

The next picture was a plaque above the entrance to a herbarium which caught my eye.

I hope you enjoyed today's pictures.  There will be more tomorrow, from somewhere else in Italy...