House of Hades
Monday, September 28th, 2009
A toynbee tile laid down on a busy East Village intersection. I’ll be curious to see how it holds up to the wear.
House of Hades
One man against shitocrat and neocon news agenda in ’2009
Update Oct. 3, 09:
It’s held up fine. When I passed it today there was no sign of wear. I found this one today:
On St. Mark’s Place, another busy intersection, and the tile is holding up to the traffic. Seems to be a Toynbee Tile. Mosaic Man Jim Power’s work is most prominent on St. Mark’s Place and environs. I’m not sure what justice is sought for Powers, a Viet Nam vet. I know he was evicted from his East Village residence awhile back and has had some health problems. His blog is here, he is seeking donations to restore his Mosaic Trail in the neighborhood.
nice to see new ones popping up here and there… although one i spotted on b’way was in pretty bad shape.
People call them Toynbees, right? I think they are found in Philly as well. I’ve yet to hit the google on it.
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
yup, toynbee tiles, originally from philly.
nice to see new ones popping up here and there… although one i spotted on b’way was in pretty bad shape.
People call them Toynbees, right? I think they are found in Philly as well. I’ve yet to hit the google on it.
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
yup, toynbee tiles, originally from philly.
Yeah, this one is still intact, despite being on a high wear location.
They seem to weather pretty well — there’s one near my apartment that’s been there for more than a year. In fact it got more readable over time, as the traffic wore away extra tar from the top and edges.
They seem to weather pretty well — there’s one near my apartment that’s been there for more than a year. In fact it got more readable over time, as the traffic wore away extra tar from the top and edges.
Yeah, this one is still intact, despite being on a high wear location.
maybe i just caught a bad one… the vinyl (?) was almost entirely worn away, leaving barely any legible text.
maybe i just caught a bad one… the vinyl (?) was almost entirely worn away, leaving barely any legible text.
I rode over this today on Houston. What a blast from the past…!!
I remember people would call them Toynbees. I had a friend who used to post sightings of these on a website (where other people would do the same). I don’t know if that site still exists…
It’s positioned right where it is almost impossible to stop and read, without a lookout for cars careening in your direction. I felt vulnerable standing long enough to take this snap.
Yeah there are numerous websites and Flickr groups. I haven’t gotten too deep into them. I have a link to the wiki page on my blog.
I rode over this today on Houston. What a blast from the past…!!
I remember people would call them Toynbees. I had a friend who used to post sightings of these on a website (where other people would do the same). I don’t know if that site still exists…
It’s positioned right where it is almost impossible to stop and read, without a lookout for cars careening in your direction. I felt vulnerable standing long enough to take this snap.
Yeah there are numerous websites and Flickr groups. I haven’t gotten too deep into them. I have a link to the wiki page on my blog.
Yeah, you gotta be kinda of bold to go photograph that spot…Such are the things we must do as documentarians of this town…
)
Yeah, you gotta be kinda of bold to go photograph that spot…Such are the things we must do as documentarians of this town…
)
I wouldn’t consider this a Toynbee Tile. It’s a knockoff, something different.
I wouldn’t consider this a Toynbee Tile. It’s a knockoff, something different.
You don’t think the maker has just switched obsessions?
You don’t think the maker has just switched obsessions?
Positive. Philly has been getting Toynbee-style street art for years. We even have a number of copycat tilers putting down things that look like the original. I put this in that boat. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s awesome. It’s just not a Toynbee Tile.
Positive. Philly has been getting Toynbee-style street art for years. We even have a number of copycat tilers putting down things that look like the original. I put this in that boat. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s awesome. It’s just not a Toynbee Tile.
Philly seems to breed such stuff. I think it is also the home of the Crazytalker, who has also spread to NYC.
gammablog.com/2008/04/11/listen-to-christ-radio/
Philly seems to breed such stuff. I think it is also the home of the Crazytalker, who has also spread to NYC.
gammablog.com/2008/04/11/listen-to-christ-radio/
Interesting. Never seen a Toynbee tile referencing anyone else besides Kubrick.
There seems to be some controversy if this is really a toynbee tile or a copy-cat.
yeah, this one seems more lucid and "arty."
Philly does indeed breed such stuff! Crazy Talk is either originally from Philly or Chicago, Toynbee tiles definitely originated here (Philly)… these ‘House OF Hades’ tiles actually started out in Buffalo, NY. in maybe 2007 or so. They are awesome, but yes…. inspired by Toynbee tiles, but not by the original creator. Check the messageboard at https://www.resurrectdead.com for up-to-date Toynbee chit-chat & info.
Philly does indeed breed such stuff! Crazy Talk is either originally from Philly or Chicago, Toynbee tiles definitely originated here (Philly)… these ‘House OF Hades’ tiles actually started out in Buffalo, NY. in maybe 2007 or so. They are awesome, but yes…. inspired by Toynbee tiles, but not by the original creator. Check the messageboard at https://www.resurrectdead.com for up-to-date Toynbee chit-chat & info.
Thanks Justin. I found it interesting that the Toynbee tiles are laid down covered in tar paper that wears away. I guess this helps keep the identity of the mystery tiler concealed, as placing a black rectangle down would not be as conspicuous as a colorful tile.
As for the Crazy Talker, I’m pretty sure that one was doing their thing as far back as the early Eighties. I have some photos of light pole pastes of very similar design in NYC. Though I’ll gladly give Philly the honor of origin.
Thanks Justin. I found it interesting that the Toynbee tiles are laid down covered in tar paper that wears away. I guess this helps keep the identity of the mystery tiler concealed, as placing a black rectangle down would not be as conspicuous as a colorful tile.
As for the Crazy Talker, I’m pretty sure that one was doing their thing as far back as the early Eighties. I have some photos of light pole pastes of very similar design in NYC. Though I’ll gladly give Philly the honor of origin.