Belfast

Hit The East

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Here are the first three pieces from the Bloomfield Avenue end of last weekend’s Hit The East street art festival. Above is a quartet of elephants by Falko One (Inst | Fb). (He painted elephants in other places, too.)

Below is printmaker Leo Boyd mounting his poster ‘This Machine Kills Machines’. (Lots of previous work by Leo.) The finished work also included ‘Turn Off, Tune Out’.

Next to that is work by Dublin artists ESTR (Emmalene Blake web) and Lanni Powder (ig).

(The next piece in the alley is one by Esther O’Kelly.)

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Let Us Entertain You

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The LPOW mural in Harvey Court dates back to 1997, to the release of political prisoners as part of the Good Friday Agreement. A recent (2015) version can be seen at Consolidate The Peace. The new mural features performers Jonny Jones, John Calvert, Tony Jones, and Sylvia Pavis. It was painted by Blaze FX with sponsorship from Charter NI and the Housing Executive.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Divis Bonfire 2017

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There were riots last night in the Divis and Markets areas of the city, after material for August 9th anti-internment bonfires was removed (Tele). On the lower Falls, the disused Credit Union building on Ross Road was burned down (Belfast Live). Here are three images from last week of graffiti from the Townsend Street side of the Divis Street from the Divis Hoods Liberation Army (DHLA).

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Pro-Testant Reformation

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October 31st, 1517 is the date given by Philip Melanchthon (there is disagreement – WP) for Martin Luther posting his 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, thus launching what would later be called the “protestant” reformation of the Catholic church. The word “protestant” comes from two Latin roots, meaning to publicly (pro-) assert or bear witness (testari).

Below the red hands on either side have been added “Genesis 38:28”, which reads “While she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out.” The hand thrust forward to claim the birthright (and the reference to a scarlet thread) suggests the myth of the red hand of Ulster. However, it is the younger child (though the first to be completely born) that carries on the house of Judah.

For the original mural, see Return To Loyalist Tigers Bay; for “Vote Leave” on top, see Brits Out! and for the insignia to the left, see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Church & State

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Henry VIII had himself declared head of the church in 1531 and the English monarch has retained this title since then (with the exception of Mary I who briefly restored the Pope and Catholicism). England has “no superior under God, but only your Grace” (Act Concerning Peter’s Pence). The current holder of both crown and office is Queen (“R” for “regina”) Elizabeth II. Shown in this entry is another celebration of the 500th anniversary of “Pro-Testant Reformation” in Tiger’s Bay, next to the workers of WWI mural.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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