When Art has no Avenue, It Finds a Tunnel: A Look At the Krog Street Tunnel

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

By Summer Stanley.

Whether you are heading to a metal show at Lenny’s or to the bottom of a pitcher at 97 Estoria, chances are you will pass through the Krog Street Tunnel. Intersecting Dekalb Avenue and Wylie Street, the graffiti-blanketed tunnel conjoins more than Cabbagetown and Inman Park.

From the humblest tag – an artist’s signature, to intricate pieces – in the sense of slang for masterpieces – the tunnel is a cultural hub. Along with its 4 and ½ star ranking on yelp.com, the tunnel has that other factor which makes something a place: pathos.

Built in the early 1900’s and becoming a popular canvas since the ‘80’s, the tunnel’s persistent controversy is more intriguing than its history. Though not legally a free space to draw graffiti, and despite certain neighbors’ disapproval, it is clear the tunnel is going to be painted regardless of any resistance.

Even when a long-time Cabbagetown resident jumped from a tree at 2 a.m. and punched a kid who was tagging the wall, artists remained undeterred.

The tunnel today is proof that creativity will find its own avenue. Though it is considered poor form to “tag” over another’s work, any blank space the tunnel once had has been exhausted with multiple layers of spray paint. Unless one were to hazard a column closer to the road, in order to make a mark on this notorious street forum, it is considered a necessity to eclipse fellow artists. It is this “here today, gone tomorrow” sentiment that perhaps furthers the competition while also maintaining the public interest in the tunnel’s constant evolution.

Yet the Krog Tunnel does not just serve as a street gallery for tourists and locals alike to enjoy, it triples as a political forum and advertisement space also. Littered with show posters, anti-war sentiments, and simply sentiment, the tunnel embodies a certain pulse of the city. Though some artists simply scribble “Akron cats is da hardest,” another takes it upon themselves to lend perspective, i.e. “3,000 DEAD IN IRAQ IS BAD. 1,000,000 DEAD IN DARFUR IS WORSE.” Whynatte, Atlanta’s original canned coffee drink, is endorsed in yellow letters on the outside of the tunnel on the Wylie Street side.

Many artists eschew a platform altogether and let the art speak for itself, using the colors of the Rasta – red, yellow, and green – to paint the sun rising out of a woman’s hair. Someone even portrayed Detective Lenny Briscoe from the infinite-seasoned Law and Order.

Though not advisable at night – just a thought prompted by the sight of a column boasting a Sur 13 gang tag – visiting the Krog street tunnel and observing the diversity it represents is a must for those who want to see and know Atlanta. May be if not visiting on purpose – a good idea might be just to begin noticing, when you inevitably drive through it, the constant evolution of one of Atlanta’s most interesting free exhibits.

Feel free to explore the original TheRealAtlanta.com photo collection here by the author of the article. Click on any photo image at the bottom of the page to get to a higher resolution one.