THE REAL STORY - MAYBE?
We need to clarify the history and details of the U2-related street art in Dublin. Here's what I know:
The Windmill Lane Wall
This was the original location most associated with U2 graffiti. Windmill Lane Studios was where U2 recorded their early albums, and the exterior wall became a canvas for fan tributes. However, as I witnessed and photographed, the studio and wall were demolished in 2015. Despite rumours, there's no evidence to suggest the wall was saved for reconstruction. Note: I was there during the demolition and from what I could see the walls were reduced to dust.
Hanover Quay Graffiti
U2's later studio on Hanover Quay did attract some street art, but it wasn't as iconic as the Windmill Lane wall. It's understandable that visitors might have conflated the two, especially as the Hanover Quay area has also seen redevelopment.
The Reality of U2 Street Art
It's important to remember that street art is ephemeral. The pieces that adorned these walls were created by countless fans over many years, with new layers constantly added and old ones fading or being painted over. There was no single "U2 wall," but rather an evolving tapestry of tributes.
Preserving the Memory
While the physical walls may be gone, the spirit of the U2 street art lives on. Numerous photographs document the ever-changing artwork, and there are even efforts to create digital archives of these fan tributes.
Additional Considerations
Other locations: It's worth noting that U2-related graffiti wasn't limited to just these two locations. Fans left their mark in various spots around Dublin, although these were often smaller and less well-known.
Quality of the art: As you mentioned, the quality of the street art varied greatly. Some pieces were genuinely artistic, while others were simply scrawls and tags.
Let me know if you'd like to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this, such as the history of Windmill Lane Studios or efforts to document the street art.
The Windmill Lane Wall
This was the original location most associated with U2 graffiti. Windmill Lane Studios was where U2 recorded their early albums, and the exterior wall became a canvas for fan tributes. However, as I witnessed and photographed, the studio and wall were demolished in 2015. Despite rumours, there's no evidence to suggest the wall was saved for reconstruction. Note: I was there during the demolition and from what I could see the walls were reduced to dust.
Hanover Quay Graffiti
U2's later studio on Hanover Quay did attract some street art, but it wasn't as iconic as the Windmill Lane wall. It's understandable that visitors might have conflated the two, especially as the Hanover Quay area has also seen redevelopment.
The Reality of U2 Street Art
It's important to remember that street art is ephemeral. The pieces that adorned these walls were created by countless fans over many years, with new layers constantly added and old ones fading or being painted over. There was no single "U2 wall," but rather an evolving tapestry of tributes.
Preserving the Memory
While the physical walls may be gone, the spirit of the U2 street art lives on. Numerous photographs document the ever-changing artwork, and there are even efforts to create digital archives of these fan tributes.
Additional Considerations
Other locations: It's worth noting that U2-related graffiti wasn't limited to just these two locations. Fans left their mark in various spots around Dublin, although these were often smaller and less well-known.
Quality of the art: As you mentioned, the quality of the street art varied greatly. Some pieces were genuinely artistic, while others were simply scrawls and tags.
Let me know if you'd like to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this, such as the history of Windmill Lane Studios or efforts to document the street art.
THE REAL STORY - MAYBE?