Markings on walls

Yesterday my two little brothers came to be "looked after."

I gave them a day in the city, doing city things. We went to the museum, we saw an Imax film, we rode trams, we ate sandwiches in the park, we walked down Lygon St to buy icecreams and a coffee, and they noticed new stuff.

That's the part that I always hope I can help them with, the 'noticing.' I love what kids see, what they pick out as interesting, and how quickly they learn and form opinions. But it's an accidental goal; you hope it will happen, but can't plan for it.


For example, while walking to the tram,

"What are all those markings on things?"

"It's graffiti. People draw art on the walls, or sometimes just write their name."

"Why?"

"Well, if it's art they want to show people something, if it's their name it's to say they've been there; they think it makes them cool." [I believe sometimes it's okay to generalise grossly for children. When walking fast to catch the tram, for example.]

> brief conversation by both boys about where they draw art - art room, desk at home, etc<


"I'll never do that. Even the word, 'graffiti', it sounds like a bad thing to do."


Next time I'm going to show him Graffiti Ally in Fitzroy and some of the stencils around Brunswick. And maybe Banksy's Little Diver. Maybe he can make up a word that sounds better.