The Gum Wall

By the time I had arrived at Purdue University in 1983, this off-campus alley had already earned the moniker "The Gum Alley" - due to the small collection of gum stuck at chest-height along its length.

Over the years, the idea gained momentum and in 5 years the walls were thick with wads of colorful chewing gum.

Eventually, tagging became the stylee and the gum was often covered by layers of graffiti.

This kodachrome/cibachrome print was taken right at the confluence of expressions.

Visitors' comments for this page [Add your own]

I had forgotten...
nick... SF, Indiana
21Nov2003 2:50 PM (8 years 77 days ago)
Funny about that. wonder if they tore the old girl down.
Did you know that they created a glut of housing in Laf-Land, which diminished the price of real-estate?
Like all things, they end up in hell.