UGLY is in the eye of the beholder
The Unmade Bed
It was back in 1999 that we were introduced to the idea that ugly could be art. Well, for me it was ugly but for the art world it was a masterpiece, as it was shortlisted for the Turner prize that year. It told the story of the breakdown of a relationship and the depression that resulted. It set Emin on the road of celebrity and I don’t think the art world was ever the same again!
Tracy Emin’s masterpiece! What does it say to you?
Graffetti – art or vandalism
Living in Bristol, home of the street artist Banksy, we are used to walls being covered. In fact, once a year there is a celebration ‘Upfest’ where street artists from around the world congregate to brighten the streets for the people.
My dear friend Gemma tells the story of this year’s festival in her great post ‘Upfest 2016’
The move from vandalism to graffiti and art goes back to the 1960s when artists in Philadephia used the walls to make political statements. If you are a regular here you may remember my post about it after our visit to that fair city ‘Street art, mural or graffiti?’
Litter
We are all familiar with litter. It is everywhere in our world and the more we gather the more we have to throw away. It is blighting our seas, mountains and countrysides as well as costing councils thousands to clear it away.
The increase in recycling is good to see. I’m happy to sort my waste but am concerned with rumours that councils just dump it all on landfill. That would make me very angry and terribly sad that we can’t take responsibility for our planet.
While researching for this post, I came across art that has been created from litter. This project on Main Street, Iowa made an explict link between ugly and beauty.
Finally…Yucky!
Yucky is definitely a word that will split opinions and produce items that support ugly is in the eye of the beholder. There is no better category than food!
I bet within your family you will have some who love the taste of a particular food while others hate it. Marmite is the king of this sort of a discussion. In fact, it is now used in common parlance as an example to illustrate how something can be loved and hated at the same time. I had a recent experience of someone I was working with being described as …’like Marmite. you either love her or hate her’.
I am one of the weird people who actually considers trash and landfills as an amazing thing. My great-grandparents farm was eked out of the desert 100 years ago and they had no centralized garbage service for quite a few years. We recently moved out there and started sifting through all the dirt in the garden to remove the glass and protect my kiddos feet. It was like going on an archeology expedition from my own past: my grandparents’ trash became my treasure!
I think that wind turbines are beautiful. Many people don’t.
And I love marmite.
I am a fan of modern art (Picasso, Joan Miro (esp the textiles), Henry Moore, and others) but Tracy Emin’s bed just looks dirty to me.
Great fun Julia, and marmite is definitely yucky!
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a lot of ugliness going around here! Oh! yes, I have to maek my bed as soon as I roll out of bed! And haha…Gurney face…yep, I’ve heard the warning your mom would say about making faces like this.
Litter and Yukky street…hm…
Blessings & Aloha!
the ugly makes me appreciate beauty I guess….
Yes, I suppose we have to have one to have the other! Thanks for your comments!
I agree with all but the unmade bed…to me it is a beautiful site…it means the people in it are ALIVE and on the move!
Susan
I have never thought of it like that Susan! Thanks for popping in & making me think!
EWWW Litter is UGLY! I picked up some at the pool today (neatly tossed in the bushes by unruly children possibly) I hate litter.
Disgusting isn’t it!
Julia, you rocked this one big time. Each picture and your final words struck a chord. Great post for both memes.
Thank you! Thought it was cheating a bit but as it was there….! Thanks for stopping by!
Very clever take on the word ugly and the letter U. I loved it. Great post.
Why thank you. I couldn’t really think of anything else!
Unusual take on the letter u….
Thank you – & thanks for popping in!
Julia. I loved this thoughtful post on my little journey through Alphabe-Thursday’s Letter “U”!
Your ending quote was really evocative. “We are beautiful people, living in a beautiful world. Why do we create such ugliness around us? What does it say about us?”
I am really glad you joined this meme, Julia.
You have added your unique outlook and view and really help make this meme unbelievably neat!
A+
Thank you Jenny. Your comments mean so much to me!
There can be such beauty in ugly … although not always … like in that street …
Wouldn’t want ot live it would you?
The minute I read your post a little song/taunt came into my head from when I was a kid….{clear throat}
U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi….
Cause you’re UGLY, absolutely UGLY…
Horrible I know, but I use to sing this to my rotten older brother!! LOL great U post!
Glad it brought back memories!
Ugly has a beauty about it….uniquely ugly….ur photos.
I suppose it does but ….Thank for stopping by!
Hi!
I’ll agree it’s Ugly! Have a great day!
Sherrie
Sherrie’s Stuff
Somepeople obviously don’t think it is otherwise they wouldn’t leave it around! Thanks for popping in!
I enjoyed your Unique and Undeniably Unusual perspective Upon the theme!
U have certainly come Up with a great comment! Thank U!
Utterly Unbelievaby Unusual U post!!
Wishing you a Happy Alphabe-Thursday!
LOLA:)
PS Mine this week isHERE. Hope you can join me!
Thanks for the link to yours! Glad to see you here!
I think the trash is really ugly too. It make really icky pictures.
Doesn’t it just! Why do we create it I wonder?
You’re right that is all ugly but it made for an interesting post.
Maggie
Thank you! Glad you stopped by!
Ah, another litter hater, there’s a lot of us out there!
It’s not rocket science is it? If we all dropped one small piece, we wouldn’t see the sky. Converslet, if we all picked up one piece….!
Than you for popping in!
Great idea! :0)
Thank you! Don’t often have them! Thanks for popping by!
Clever interpretation of the theme. Where is Yukky Street, out of interest?
No idea! Just googled yukky & that’s what I got (among other things!)
Thanks for stopping by!
Great choices of photos here!!! love the gurning one and the pop at “so called” art 😉
Thank you! I find gurning a really ugly thing to look at but I suppose we should marvel at the skill!?!
What a clever take on the theme, I wish I’d thought of it *mumble mumble*
It’s not usually something that comes to me! Probably the one & only time!Thank you for stopping by & commenting!
Excellent! Fabulous pictures! Well done, I am struggling a bit with this one, bit jealous of your marvellous idea!
Thank you Chris! Not the sort of thing I’m known for – arty ideas! Thanks for popping in!
Oh I agree. That litter picture is particularly awful. *rushes off to make bed* !!
No worries Rosie! That is unless you want to let all those people in! Thanks for stopping by & commenting!
excellent post, really great idea.
Thank you!
Very nice take on the theme!
Aww! Thank you!