Writing was on wall

A stretch of graffiti reminds Shanghai residents of vanishing street scenes before disappearing itself

Graffiti on walls of dilapidated walls in a street in Shanghai in tribute to parts of the city that are disappearing themselves became the victims of a demolition crew. A French street artist, Julien Malland, created the scenes on what was left of torn-down buildings in Kangding Road on Jan 20. The demolition crew destroyed them within a week.

The area's developer said the artworks were drawing large crowds, posing a danger to visitors at the site, local media reported. Earlier, residents taking photos of the murals said the drawings, many of them portraying children, brought back memories of the city's past. The murals were even being used as backdrops in wedding photos.

Graffiti by Julien Malland on torn-down buildings in Shanghai attracted crowds before they were demolished. Gao Erqiang / China Daily

(China Daily European Weekly 02/06/2015 page4)