The issue of graffiti is something which grabs everyone’s attention: whether you are of the opinion that public (and private!) walls are fair game for flourishes of artistic self-expression, or whether you think  is vandalism of the highest order, there is no denying the fact that graffiti is a feature of every city landscape and Vienna is no exception.

Most of the time, the ability to discern what exactly the grattifist’s ‘tags’ depict requires a degree in ancient hieroglyphics and an exhaustive knowledge of street-cred, which is probably beyond the reach of the average pedestrian.  Recently however, my eye was caught by a small red slash etched onto the glass of a window pane: lower case, Calibri-like and unassuming: “i love you”.  Reflected in the autumnal sun, I wondered what it was exactly that might cause someone to take up a marker and risk a fine for the sake of those simple letters.  What was it about love exactly that compels man to do great and heroic things, as well as small and unnoticed things?  Why do we all seek to love and to be loved?  What is it about love that is written into our hearts across cultures and languages; across seas, rivers and mountains?  The most basic longing of the human heart.  And then in the same manner as the question arose, a few days later my question was answered, once more through the wisdom of the streets: “Deine Tränen sind mein”.  And this I thought summed up perfectly the meaning of true, sincere love: love that wills the good of the other, through the joys and also through the sorrows; suffers with the beloved and willingly suffers for the beloved.  Thank you, Wisdom of the Streets!