“Jesus on the Cross” at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall “one of the best spots in all of Toronto possibly GTA”
September 3rd, 2010
Yesterday under cloudy-threatening-to-rain conditions we returned to the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall. We gambled that overcast skies promised the best photography conditions. Turns out we were right. What with sun casting stark shadows under bridges and the shade from trees and bushes creating a riot of confusion for our cameras, cloudy days are definitely best when exploring this remarkable site.
And the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall really is remarkable —amazing.
Yesterday, along with my husband, we documented as many of the walls as we could before the skies opened drenching us. We remembered the caution from RiddimRyder who had originally given us the directions on how to reach the Mississauga Graffiti Wall.
There are a few access points. there is a ladder near the train tracks and also there is the slopped walls which are to the left of this shot. the slop is sharp & a rope could be useful if you can’t climb the angles…Keep in mind this is flood control so if it starts to rain…get ready to leave asap! PS…easiest access is from the 4 Rinks. Walk along the tracks or there is path along in the grass!
We were down in the waterway when the first drops began. “Keep in mind this is flood control so if it starts to rain…get ready to leave asap!”
And boy did we head for the ladder and up to relative safety! On top, the rains let loose and our only thoughts were how to protect the cameras. Then came the first rumble of thunder. Then the second. We were heading along slippery grass and only halfway to the safety of the Erin Mills Bridge.
We couldn’t have been more wet had we been SCUBA diving.
By the time we reached the shelter of the Parkway bridge the rains had let up. A quick glance at the waterway confirmed the accuracy of RiddimRyder’s cautions. We could see (and hear) water gushing out a collector-pipe and into the main waterway.
The rapid increase in water volume to the main concrete channel even with this brief rain forces us emphasize, “Keep in mind this is flood control so if it starts to rain…get ready to leave asap!” And take is from us, don’t depend on those crazy-angled waterway sides —the rains make them slick as all get-out.
Yes, absolutely, overcast days are the best to explore and photograph here. But “Keep in mind this is flood control so if it starts to rain…get ready to leave asap!”
During our two-hour stay, my husband took 206 photographs and my video camera essentially worked non-stop. By the time the rains hit, my handycam flashed “Low Battery”. We’d successfully gorged on the visuals.
Today, we offer the graffiti piece that inspired us to return on yesterday’s cloudy-threatening-to-rain day. It was the “Jesus on the Cross” first documented on August 28th, complete with annoying shadows. Yesterday we did this work justice.
Here then is a short video of this unique “Jesus on the Cross” under perfect viewing conditions. Complete with transcript.
Video: Jesus on the Cross at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall (2:40 min)
(Click here to go directly to the clip on YouTube)
[TRANSCRIPT BEGINS]
MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Well people, this is the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall.
[DIP TO WHITE]
Telephoto of the Erin Mills bridge there. And we’re going this way. And somebody emailed me when they saw my first video and they said that this particular graffiti wall is one of the largest and possibly the best in the GTA.
Anyway, I want to go and see the Christ on the Crucifixion [sic] . That’s primarily why I’m here. Here it is. That’s what I came to see.
This is what I came to see. And I mean experience it here. And also with no shadows. Wow…
“IF I DON’T BELIEVE IN HIM.
WHY WOULD HE BELIEVE IN ME.”
And there it is.
And I’ve seen depictions of Christ in paintings, seen them at the Martyr’s Shrine, at various churches at the Island of Maui —and I’ve no idea why this one fascinates me so much.
I think it’s because, look where it’s painted. I mean. Look.
Whoever painted that did it personally for himself —or herself, and look at the “audience” that he was preaching to.
And that’s what I love about this one.
This was done as a communication for fellows. Meaning others who would make this journey. It’s beautiful. It’s just beautiful.
[DIP TO WHITE]
What do you think about it? Look at the drawing of the face.
Husband/MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Yes. It’s a Frowny-Face —a Frowny-Face being crucified.
It’s not all clear to me that the person who did that wrote the…
MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Oh, you’re suggesting somebody else put down the—
Husband/MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Well, I’m just saying—
MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Oh, you’re just saying.
Husband/MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Well, there’s no reason that I can see to assume that although —I mean the red for the blood doesn’t match the red for—
MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Yeah, no, I agree with that.
Husband/MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
But on the other hand that could—
MISSISSAUGAWATCH (in the waterway at the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, September 2, 2010):
Interesting point. But it’s still beautiful.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
The Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall (did we mention that it is amazing?)
We’re used to exploring underwater and it’s been only recently that we’ve heard about Urban Exploration. But I suspect that you can’t get more basic Urban Exploration than documenting bridges, waterways and the back alleys of strip malls and industrial parks —as well as their cultural artifacts.
MISSISSAUGAWATCH began investigating graffiti back in April 2009 because we were fed up with the ghastly-gawd-awful Pretend of the Peel Youth Violence Prevention Network. We needed the Truth about Youth and to do that we had to find Real.
Zero doubt that it’s been under bridges and in the waterways and the back alleys of strip malls and industrial parks that we found it. Voices!
And the sign flashed out it’s warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said
“The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls”
Whisper the sounds of silence
You may have other reasons to be interested in graffiti but allow us this. Should you go to the Amazing Mississauga Graffiti Wall, be prepared for every other site to be second, third or even lower-tier. This Urban Exploration will jade you —this place will force itself to be the Standard by which you’ll judge all others.
All others —and we didn’t even get to explore it all!
Comment through YouTube, “yeaa this is one of the best spots in all of Toronto possibly GTA.”
Believe it!
Signed,
MISSISSAUGAWATCH
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