OPERATION: Non Permanent Graffiti

So after cycling through the backstreets of Dundee and seeing all the graffiti covered walls, it got me thinking why do people graffiti? do kids just do it because they are bored? or for other reasons?



For me growing up as a kid in the countryside we spent many an afternoon building tree houses, shelters and making our surroundings into a play ground.






The countryside is flexible and if your break or build something nature rapidly heals and re claims your creation and their is no mess left behind.





But in the city, structures and spaces are permanent and inflexible which is shared by a lot of people, if you make something through play, it doesn't get absorbed or naturally reclaimed it sits their and either looks messy or takes a very long time to be reclaimed. If only the city was
growing and was a living organism.

Although it seems peoples sense of fun is ruled by regulations in some cities, Ive been told by park rangers on the edge of cities after taking groups to build shelters that we shouldn't do it, even in a secluded area away from everything? no wonder kids in cities graffiti there not allowed to do anything without someone barking at them and telling them they cant be having fun.

Rather than telling people they cant graffiti give them an alternative that meets the same need that permanent graffiti does.



So how about growing graffiti?









By mixing flour and moss in a blender which creates a paste you can grow graffiti on walls, which is a much more natural way of re claiming space and makes your environment more green and healthy.














When I was traveling in America I saw a lot of kids doing street art through the use of Chalk, it looks beautiful and really brightens up a street and is non permanent, as soon as it rains you are left with a fresh canvas.

Chalk Graffiti, but how?















Things you need:

Cornstarch
Mixing bowl
Small measuring bowls
Food coloring
Paintbrushes


1
Pour 1/4 cup cornstarch into a mixing bowl.

2
Add 1/4 cup cold water to the mixing bowl.

3
Stir the cornstarch and water until smooth. This may take a few minutes because of the thickening properties of cornstarch.


4
Divide the cornstarch and water mixture into small measuring bowls. Use one bowl for each color you will make.

5
Add a few drops of food coloring to each pinch bowl.


6
Mix food coloring into the cornstarch and water mixture. The liquid sidewalk chalk is now ready to be applied to the sidewalk.

7
Use paintbrushes or sponges to apply the liquid sidewalk chalk to the sidewalk or driveway.

8
Clean the sidewalk or driveway with a hose or sprinklers when it is time for the sidewalk chalk to be removed.

Simple ;D


Now that you have liquid Chalk how cool would it be to be able to leave chalk art as you cycle.
This is where ConTrail comes in which is a device that attaches to your bike and leaves a stream of colourful chalk so you can see where other cyclists have been.
Unfortunately it was never put into production but here are a few images and my PLAN TO BUILD ONE!!

Initial ideas by ConTrail




























ConTrail proposed that to actually construct the devices they would cost £1000 each!!!

So here is my plan to make a cheaper fun chalk stream device for everyone.

Right so Ill need some sort of container to hold the mini wheel and chalk tray which im going to use a chain cleaner.





Chain cleaner- approx £4 to £8 each











Then I need a old plastic drinks bottle (which will sit in the drinks holder on the bike) and some tubing to run the liquid chalk to the chain cleaner.





Drinks bottle- £1
Tube-£2













Also some tree ties to hold the chain cleaner on-30p

After a bit of modification I should be able to get it to work, if there is not enough pressure I might need to make a mini pump which should be easy enough.

Will update once Ive got the thing up and running, cant wait to try it out.