WPC: Transient state of love and trust

I thought of celebrating the birthday of my country of origin by giving you some of its capital’s street art since it might not be here any more when you arrive.

While the man who sings the song in the title, Eddie Vedder, is about to hit the stage in Florence and I am not there, Slovenia celebrates its birthday. It was 26 years ago (where did they go?) since it proclaimed independence from Yugoslavia, for which it had to win the 10-day war.

In the meantime it has grown into a beauty and now everybody wants some. Soon it will start charging big bucks, therefore visit while it’s still fresh and (relatively) free.

The capital, Ljubljana, is turning as much into a hamburger heaven as a foodie’s paradise. Piran, the pearl on the Adriatic coast, has recently been featured both by Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. Splendid, for sure, and yet parking there is already a mess, not to mention its two overcrowded hotels. How will the throngs manage?

For you are all coming, you just don’t know it yet.

When you arrive, the Ljubljana street art featured below might well not be there any more. Its transient nature is one of its most striking features. Here’s to hope that love and trust in this state, on the other hand, are here to stay.

(I apologise for not giving the names of the artists. Much too clueless for that.)

They say Slovenia has the shape of a hen.

Olimpija is the name of several local sports clubs. We were told at the Graffiti Tour that the ‘O’ has an ugly Nazi undertone, that’s why it’s been crossed out.

Ivan Cankar, the biggest Slovenian writer, is against patriarchy as well. His portrait has been commissioned while the street added the red stamp.

Metelkova City is the street art centre of Ljubljana.

A Metelkova mosaic with the red star that is always good to see.

Metelkova monsters.

(Unofficial) Metelkova motto: “We are few but we are shit.” Well…

I prefer this Trubarjeva Street campaign: “To start believing in this world again.”

If you walk along the Trubarjeva long enough, you start seeing more elaborate pieces.

The sign that “Rog” is near: the abandoned bicycle factory, turned into an autonomous cultural centre.

“Rog” translates as “horn”. Last year it faced and fought municipality repossession attempts.

Left: “Cerar (Slovenian prime minister), we are about to snap.” Right: “All in one horn.”

This was early January. I was surprised by the quality and neatness of these.

They are only lined upon a single wall but it’s a pretty long one.

I wonder if these are here to stay.

We were given most names of the artists during the tour but I was not taking notes.

Maybe any of you, street art lovers, can identify any of these?

I know, I could study and do some research. But it’s too hot.

I’m pretty sure his head says “Azram”.

One scarier than the other.

Photo: © signature mmm

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: Transient

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