On my recent visit to Hosier Lane, there was, at first glance, little of note to arrest the eye. The lane, once celebrated as a lively and evolving canvas of Melbourne’s street art culture, now feels markedly diminished. Where there was formerly wit, provocation, and a sense of creative dialogue, there is increasingly a visual clutter that leans toward the careless and the coarse, as though expression has given way to excess.
Yet amid this decline, a single phrase stood out with unexpected force: “you exist.” In its stark simplicity, it carried a quiet authority that much of the surrounding graffiti lacked. Unlike the louder, more aggressive markings that now dominate the lane, these words required no explanation and no spectacle. They spoke directly, almost intimately, to the passer-by—an affirmation of presence and worth in a space that has grown visually hostile.
Hosier Lane’s transformation mirrors a broader tension within graffiti street art itself. What begins as rebellion and creative freedom often risks degeneration when novelty supersedes intention. The lane, once a showcase of layered skill and social commentary, has in many places turned rather ugly—less a gallery of ideas than a battleground of tags competing for dominance.
Against this backdrop, the phrase “you exist” felt like a reminder of what street art can achieve at its best: clarity, humanity, and resonance. In a lane overwhelmed by noise, it was this quiet assertion that endured, suggesting that even in decay, meaning can still surface—briefly, but powerfully.
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A beautifully written reflection. You captured perfectly the contrast between today’s visual chaos and the quiet strength of the message “you exist.” A subtle and deeply evocative observation.
ReplyDeleteNo one else notices though
DeleteLove the mural and what you wrote. Have a nice day today.
ReplyDeleteDos palabras que mandan un gran mensaje por si solas. No se si al ver en directo el mural aquello que me parece "añadidos de grandes genios" sean parte del original o solo eso añadidos.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
That is the problem in the area
DeleteI totally agree with all your thoughts on this graffiti!! I believe graffiti started as a way of protest, but it is now seeming to lose some of it's meaning in favor of outrageousness. I like this one, it is affirming.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful
DeleteThat is a fine looking mural with a message. The graffiti taggers have avoided covering the message which is unusual for them. Sorry to hear the quality of the art has declined in Hosier Lane
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is.
DeleteGreat sign! Take care, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI can relate so much to what you’re saying. Walking through places like Hosier Lane, I often find myself drawn to the small, quiet messages that speak directly to the heart like that simple “you exist.” It’s amazing how something so brief can really make you pause and reflect.
ReplyDeleteDe vegades dues paraules ho diuen tot.
ReplyDeleteSalutacions!
Well said.
ReplyDeleteParece que se respeta el arte callejero con mensaje intencionado. No suele ser habitual pero, en este caso se agradece.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
That's certainly eye catching. I've never found Hosier Lane very interesting. Single and well done murals appeal to me more.
ReplyDeleteRene Descartes, eat your heart out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that the street is no longer what it used to be. But this 'I exist' makes up for a lot. I think it's a beautiful mural amid all that chaos.
ReplyDeleteNice and bright, one wouldn't miss it I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteIt could also have said, you can read.
ReplyDelete