I’ve arrived back in Melbourne after being away for four years in London. It’s good to be back with friends and family. It’s good to be back and see the old ‘hood with hipsters making great coffee and food taken from all parts of the world, reinvented with an Aussie twist. It’s also good to see that the streets still retain an edge of creativity, even though the edge is a little softer than it used to be.
No longer is my neighbourhood splattered with graffiti at any given point, challenging the senses and causing chaos for law-abiding citizens. I now find well-considered, well-crafted and thoroughly integrated pieces of art. The wall on the side of the shop looks more like a welcome sign you’d find at a holiday destination, while street poles and bike racks have been neatly knit bombed to help soften the blow when locking your bike.
Does this mean the streets have been tamed? Or is this just the ever-evolving reinterpretation of street life? I do miss the unexpected and unconsidered in-your-face street art but can also say I’m enjoying this softer landing.