Grand Rapids Painted in Secret

I drive by it everyday. Each time, I think, “I need to capture this before the trains move again.” For brief periods of time, a moving art gallery comes to Grand Rapids at the train yard alongside US-131. I keep putting it off – mostly because the conditions are never quite right, but that really just means when I can best elude the security guards.

I don't deliberately mean to glamorize it, but the truth is, I really love it. To me, there is a clear delineation of what is just territorial scribbling and what is an amazing piece of guerrilla art. I separate these concepts in my head, perhaps to justify the difference. Others will even argue a gray area on canvasing the “public space” versus private property. In this case, I know these trains belong to companies who are surely unhappy about this expressive augmentation. I know vandalism is wrong whether malice is present or not. Right and wrong are constants regardless of excuses and opinions; so without condemning or condoning, and at risk of criticism, I will admit to all, there is a bigger part of me that disregards contemplating right and wrong in situations when I am in awe of the skill of the criminal artist under duress. It taps into a boundary-pushing definition of what expression is, and I think I like the danger. When it is done well, it is beautiful and thrilling. With that said, I am also not condoning destruction of property. After all, I would be pretty upset if someone painted anything on my house, even if it was a pretty picture. But often when I see this stuff in scenarios that do not appear to directly hinder another, I tip my hat to the unknown soldier.

Even cataloging these images felt dangerous. And it was. I knew Sundays were the only real day I could get away with getting close enough to get the shots I needed, and this was the first real “sunny Sunday” in a month or so. I knew it had to be today. It was quite a risk – it isn't exactly public property I was treading on, (I'm sorry Casey Jones and John Henry). I knew I needed to be fast and get end-to-end of a half a mile length of train cars then back. The signs warned me it was a bad idea, and I hadn't counted on the snow - the drifts were actually quite deep, over 2 feet and almost up to my knees. Not the best conditions when speed was of the essence.

In short, these photos are the result of that chillingly-long, rushed walk. I hope it is the beginning of a series of sharing other Grand Rapids “art crimes” that I find.

Ryan Hipp is a Grand Rapids opinionist and adventurer.