Kiev, Chernobyl & Pripyat – en Graffe

On By ResaIn Guests

I’m re-posting this from October 2021 with the addition of  an original war protest song by Timothy Price.

Kiev, Chernobyl & Pripyat – en Graffe

My pal Alex Morris sent us pics of murals & graf from the Ukraine. The first four are all in, and around, Kiev city centre.

“While I were wending me merry away around Kiev I noticed some fancy graffiti and all that. Sending you some of the best over.”

“However, an unexpected work trip arose in September 2021. And so with a day off on Sunday 12th September, we booked into a day tour and headed to the location of the world’s worst nuclear disaster.”

“Chernobyl is a region permanently stuck in the past, that also provides an important message for the future.”

WOW! There it is guys, Chernobyl! Omg, it’s got a mural on it.

“All of which can only lead onto the local town of Pripyat, which was built to house local power plant workers and their families.”

“The mass evacuation of the city was delayed whilst authorities denied the reality of the situation, eventually evacuating the city in a matter of hours.”

“Visitors can only stay in Pripyat for a short while and you’re not allowed to touch anything, otherwise you risk contaminating yourself”.

“In fact, there are radiation checks when you leave the Exclusion Zone to ensure you’ve not done anything stupid.”

“Some people do break into the Exclusion Zone and have to treks for days in the woods to reach Pripyat, which exposes them to a lot of radiation. But some of them may be the ones completing the graffiti. I couldn’t find any details on whether it was allowed by the government or not. But it’s there to behold.”

Photos taken by Alex Morris – September, 2021

Ukraine

Alex’s post on visiting Chernobyl, Pripyat & Kiev is fabulous! Click on over and check it out!

There is no end to taggers on this planet. Yet, somehow it’s comforting to me to know that. Not sure why. Perhaps it speaks to commonality of humanity.

A work of art, yet so far away it’s difficult to make out. Nonetheless it’s neat to see a Kiev street! Interesting parking.

You can also find this song on Tim’s Blog

83 thoughts on “Kiev, Chernobyl & Pripyat – en Graffe”

  2. Timothy Price

    This is a prefect repost for the occasion. The artwork is great. You are showing the human side of the people that politicians see as their subjects. Annoying humans. I happy you could use the song.

      1. Timothy Price

        They should be tagging, not fighting. I’m still not sure the point of the invasion beside Putin decided he could. I think polititions get bored. We need video games for world leaders to blast each other with, and they can leave the rest of us alone.

        1. After Crimea, I’m sure he thought it would be a cake walk.
          A game is a good idea, but unfortunately some of them prefer the real deal. They want blood on their hands.

  3. Murals on the walls of Chernobyl seems really an extraordinary thing, Resa . Did not people fear the radiations ? Perhaps they did not realize the danger ?
    Love ❤
    Michel

    1. These artists like the danger. They are saying something…maybe like there are no more real children or animals here.
      Not sure.
      Thank you, Michel! xo ❤

    1. It is sad, Merril. Worse, it’s scary. There is a nut bar in charge of a lot of power.
      Hopefully the world’s powers can control it.
      China supports putin. Scary.

        1. Hey, I’ve been planning a concert here on Saturday…The Bee Gees.
          A Frank Angle used to do them on his old blog. Glam is hosting one. We’ve been planning it for 6 weeks. I’ve decided we need some happiness, and putin won’t take that away!!!!!!!!! So, I’m going ahead!

  7. Most timely reblog, thank you! I keep seeing locations of Kiev on TV, from where I was wandering around in September snapping pictures. It’s a bit creepy. Let’s hope peace can retain as soon as possible.

    1. I’m sure it’s a strange feeling for you. We did the post only 4 months ago. Cripes, it’s weird for me.
      I commiserate with your hope. Nonetheless, I am afraid putin may have gone mad.
      xoxo

      1. Yeah, it was only like 5 months back. Very unusual feeling. But yeah… Putin is nuts. It’s always the case, one lunatic and everyone has to pay for it.

  8. Art does speak to our universal humanity, Resa. I remember this post from the first time. It was profound when I first looked read it – the way taggers had reclaimed Chernobyl and Pripyat from the ashes of governmental mismanagement and careless-ness. It seemed like a statement from a new generation. Now all of this is even more resonant as Ukraine becomes a war zone. Why? I just don’t get it. Thanks for the post.

    1. Yeah, you’re welcome!
      I don’t get it, either.
      Like Alex says – “It’s always the case, one lunatic and everyone has to pay for it.”
      It was only 4 months ago I posted this, and it did seem a new generation full of promise.
      putin makes me think of a man whose wife has fallen out of love with him. She is leaving him, and it doesn’t matter if there is another man or not. If he can’t have her, no one can. So, he kills her.
      On that happy note…
      Hey, I’ve been planning a concert here on Saturday…The Bee Gees.
      A Frank Angle used to do them on his old blog. Glam is hosting one. We’ve been planning it for 6 weeks. I’ve decided we need some happiness, and putin won’t take that away!!!!!!!!! So, I’m going ahead!
      Hope you come by! You get to put your fave BG song in with your comment!

      1. I’m glad you ended on a happy note, though I have to say, your characterization of Putin is spot on. It’s such a tragedy. Can’t we be done with the Trumpy/Putinesque dictators?? Yeesh.

        I’m going to miss you BG party, Resa. Dang! I’ll be hiking and camping in New Mexico, enjoying the spring desert and the enchiladas. Gonna get me some cowboy boots too. 🙂 I hope your party is fabulous, and how could it not be? Have fun. Hugs.

        1. Ooooo! Have fun! New Mexico sounds like a fab place. Tim, who did the protest song, lives there by Albuquerque. He posts the most spectacular photos of the area.

  13. Pingback: Kiev, Chernobyl & Pripyat – en Graffe — Graffiti Lux Art & More | Rethinking Life

  15. I recall the original post and it’s surreal to imagine this country has been invaded in such a short time by a mad man and his military and they are actually stirring up the ground and radiation that could contaminate the area and even bordering areas of other countries. It’s not surprising to find wall art here , humans have an innate need to make a statement at the most chilling and beautiful of places for future generation. I think most of us are repelled by the actions of Russia though not surprised, dictator s are all about greed and power. The courage of the Ukrainians will never be forgotten. I hope to see Putin brought before the War Crimes Tribunal as he is surely guilty of war crimes against this country’s citizens.
    Thank you Resa for the post and Alex for sharing these amazing photographs.
    xoxoxo

    1. Dear Meece,

      I agree with everything you said. I had to repost this with Tim’s song. xoxo
      putin makes me think of a man whose wife has fallen out of love with him. She is leaving him, and it doesn’t matter if there is another man or not. If he can’t have her, no one can. So, he kills her.

      Well, he’s not killing the entire world, yet. So in the meantime, the concert goes on this Saturday.
      We will have some joy to spite him.
      I’m buying art paper today. I’m continuing the new Art Gown.
      Make art, not war!
      xoxo

      OH… The Zombie post – the evil female zombie will be named – Aissur Snitup. (putin’s russia backwards) PBH & the AGMs will win this one! Will be in touch about it!

      1. By the way, young Resa, did the book turn up? I only ask as for reasons unknown the postal people have returned to sender a copy that I posted in England the same day as your copy. Regards, a confused TOF

        1. TOF, no it has not shown up, yet. However, the postal service here has become a mess in the last 2 years. Did it have tracking? I’ll call the P.O. today and ask if there’s a parcel languishing there for me. Last parcel, from a town 3 hours away took almost a month to get here!

          1. I think we give it a week and if your copy is still lost to the post, so be it. As with the other, now returned copy, I’ll send another over. Sorry about this. Regards, TOF

  20. Wow … amazing murals. I was in St. Petersburg a few months after the Chernobyl disaster. It was so tragic. Much more than many people realize.

        1. Time to work on the new Art Gown!
          I can hardly wait for my customer to pick out the Beautiful Zombie drawing he wants. Then I can do the post! I did 19 Beautiful Zombie drawings!

  22. I read a book about Chernobyl, from its founding to the aftermath of the the disaster, it was frightening and fascinating. Ukraine is a country I would love to visit at some point. Love the photos as ever!

  24. Beautiful. Sadly from the pictures I see in the French press, those buildings and the murals have probably all been torn down by the Butcher.
    Thanks for your voice Resa. You are unique.
    🙏🏻

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