Parthenocissus quinquefolia engelmanii or the virgin vine.
The virgin vine is a good means to counter the problem of graffiti, but it also has other virtues. It makes it possible among other things to refresh and partly collect pollutants and dust. It is efficient against noise and gives much sorrow to the ‘graffitistos’.
You can fix it to the wall using small inoffensive suction cups. It is very seldom attacked by diseases or parasites, it requires little maintenance and proves to be very interesting for gardeners.
In addition to embellishing and making green your summer environment, with the arrival of autumn it will give you beautiful red colours.
In May 2011, the City of Montreal proceeded with the distribution of virgin vines. Certain conditions were however applicable. To confirm eligibility to the program, the requests were to be evaluated because the visible walls of the street had the priority. This request for vine was to be made by telephone and since they were free, the quantity was limited. The purpose of this program of distribution was to help to reduce the appearance of illegal graffiti and the tags on the buildings.
I cannot say to you if the City will repeat the initiative next year. You can inform yourselves by composing # 311.
Arte Muro
Certain Boroughs of the City and even of the South Shore of Montreal adopted a regulation allowing the realization of a pilot scheme of mural art. These programs aim at reducing the number of “illegal” graffiti, by the creation of mural frescos.
Other municipalities can testify to the positive experiences of this new project.
These topical frescos will be used to embellish space while being concerned about the visual environment of the passers-by. Beware however, because certain conditions apply!
Indeed, not everything can be found on the fresco. Heinous and discriminatory messages, any form of publicity or solicitation… are straightforwardly prohibited. Moreover, it must respect certain aspects. It must emphasize the value of the territory and must contribute to immortalize personalities and places of the Borough. The City or municipality must, all the same, ensure a control on the range and the localization of the fresco. The projects of mural frescos are first of all analyzed for thus allowing those who wish to it have carried out or to carry out themselves a fresco on their walls. On the other hand, the latter cannot be carried out on a building protected by the Heritage, on the frontages of principal entries or in a zone where are only authorized the usages “habitation”.
You wish to carry out a mural fresco?
To submit a project of a mural fresco, the interested parties will initially have to submit a request for authorization comprising certain information, in particular the site, the adjustment or the restoration of the latter.
You must produce: a letter of agreement between the applicant (owner of building) and the physical or moral person authorizing the realization of the mural, a written authorization of the identifiable people who will be represented on this fresco, and as much as possible a photomontage or a draft illustrating the desired project.
For more information relating to certain programs of mural frescos, get information from your Borough or your municipality before undertaking such a project.
Note: Arte Muro is an expression invented by the author of this article.
Graffiti, can one avoid them?
