Thursday, August 20, 2015

The Squirt and the Whale (FF)


Philadelphia has long been recognized as a model city in the development of urban wall murals.  All throughout the town, walls that were formerly significant contributors to urban blight have been transformed into colorful and imaginative displays of public art

There are depictions of nature scenes, historical events, and great Philadelphia figures like the city's founder William Penn, Renaissance man Benjamin Franklin, and comedian Joey Bishop. 

Sometimes murals become faded, defaced, or outdated and need to be repaired or even totally repainted. In North Philadelphia this week such a replacement was required.  An existing mural was painted over with a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of a sperm whale shooting a huge spray from its blowhole. 

Most everyone agreed it was a very appropriate mural to paint over the existing one of Bill Cosby.

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In case you didn't know, the title of this piece is a reference to the movie "The Squid and the Whale," an interesting depiction of Boomer divorce directed by Noah Baumbach.  Which has nothing to do with Bill Cosby, but who wants to have anything to do with him anyway? 

I want to state it now, loud and clear: I always liked Robert Culp best. Now if you click on Mr. Culp's name, you'll be transported to the interpretations of the other Friday Fictioneers of the picture prompt above.  And if you're not already one of the Fictioneers, you should consider joining.

Why? Just 'cos.

24 comments:

Sandra Crook said...

It's looking like almost anything might represent an improvement there. Topical and wry, Perry.

Unknown said...

Droll & witty.

Alicia said...

Very clever! Love this.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Sandra. This really did happen recently in Philadelphia, but the mural was just painted over. No whale as yet.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Shandra. Now I have to go look up "droll."

Perry Block said...

Love that you love this, Alicia. Thanks!

Russell said...

Are you implying the new mural used some type of date rape drug on the existing mural? First people, now buildings. Where is it going to stop?

Perry Block said...

I'm afraid it didn't. A beautiful new mural was born just nine months later right next to the other two.

tedstrutz said...

Good as ever...

Dawn said...

Oh my...that was bad!
In a good way. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Even as is (in pic), this would be better than a mural of Bill Cosby. Oh, yes, what a disappointment that news has been of him. Very topical story and funny. Love it, Perry!

Perry Block said...

Thank you. Or are you talking about the coffee?

Perry Block said...

Hey, I didn't put him up to it! Oh, in a good way ...

Perry Block said...

Yes, it's a shame. He was sort of the Jackie Robinson of network television. All forgotten now.

Unknown said...

Brilliant write as always, Perry. I learned a few things which is what I love about these writes. I didn`t know Philidelphia was known for its graffiti (which I love) and was not aware (do not have tv at home) that there were more allegations against Cosby...this sickens me...was such an icon for families and youths.

liz young said...

I thought that was a longer-than-usual introduction until I reached the comments and realised it was actually your story! Whcih proves either that you are a natural story-teller of that I am particularly dim this week. Opinions on a postcard please.

Anonymous said...

This had me wonder at first, too, so serious. But then... almost snorting up my drink (late night here). Very funny, in a sad way.
This is GaH, posting anonymous since the site gives me trouble.

Perry Block said...

It's true, Philadelphia was one of the pioneering cities for urban wall murals (perhaps the first city, I'm not sure) probably because there was so much graffiti that needed to be combated. Now there is much less graffiti and lots and lots of nice murals. But no murals of Mr. Cosby; it has been painted over.

Perry Block said...

I'm a terrific storyteller and so are you. That's it.

Perry Block said...

Yeah, it's Blogger. My thousands of other fans aching to comment have the same problem.

Dawn said...

Such a sad state of affairs, written in a witty story... well done, Perry.

Anonymous said...

Very funny! And you bring back fond memories of "I Spy." How the f*#% did Cosby descend from that groundbreaking, enjoyable romp to his later degenerate state? The sperm whale mural is definitely apropos.

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields said...

Dear Perry,

Son of a gun. Joey Bishop was one of the city's founders?

This might just be one of my favorite P. Block stories. I've suffered great disappointment over the whole Cosby issue. He was one of my childhood heroes and at this point I'd be happy to paint a mural over him.

Shalom,

Rochelle

brudberg said...

Sounds like an excellent idea.. best ever replacement.