New Vienna – A photographic history of the Western Riots

by Jonathan Wood

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The following consists of image descriptors copied from the Wembausch photographic archive in New Vienna

1. Mayor Smyther entering Halifax hall the morning before the Western riots (Mellart, 1997)
2. Graffiti slogans by street artist Elscape (Various, 1987 – 1997)
   1. Riese & Resist (sic. 1997)
   2. Ride or die (subway roof) (1995)
   3. You’re mom (sic.) (early work) (c. 1987)
   4. Remember the Shadows (1997)
3. Street shiner with “See the light” sandwich board (Mellart, 1995)
4. Mixeffellion theatre, northern facade (Shiner, 1963)
5. Man fighting his own shadow (Anon., c. 1984-6)
6. Man blinded through repeated shining of flashlight into own eyes (Dr. Oscar Lucrus, 1995)
7. Tavern in the Hole (Anon., Date unkown)
   • CURATORIAL NOTE: Double check authenticity. Reflections are off.  Windows should reflect Straussberg plaza but  neoclassical architecture clearly apparent.  Possible misfiling?  Cross check with photomontage.  Possibly an early Mellart?
8. “Street tomb” for Elscape 1979 – 1997 (Mellart 1998)
9. Woman fighting her brother’s shadow (Anon., 1996)
10. Straussberg plaza burning, Western Riot series (T. Lindeman, 1997)
11. Mixeffellion theatre burning, Western Riot series (T. Lindeman, 1997)
12. “Flashlights Sold Out,” Pennysaver (Aldark, 1997)
13. Elscape wall mural, The Tear and the Shadows Beyond (Anon., 1996)
14. Elscape, in full Street Shiner regalia, appearing in court accused of the murder of Mayor Smyther (Samuel Kennedy, 1998)
15. Two men fighting shadow (Mellart. 1997)
    • CURATORIAL NOTE: Really a Mellart?  Misfiled?  Cross check with photo-manipulation.
16. Grave of Mayor Smyther after vandalism attack (Thomas Veer, 1999)
17. “Batteries for flashlights sold here” Pennysaver (Aldark, 1997)
18. Graffiti erroneously credited to Elscape (Various 1998 – 2000)
    1. “Shine on” – Rubberchin (Rubberchin, 1998)
    2. “Burning in the light” – Devi8 (T. Lindeman, 1999)
    3. “Never dark. Always aflame.” – Squealpiggy (Underwell, 1998)
    4. “Solar powered savior” – Animan (Oscard, 1999)
    5. “My light still shines” – Rubberchin (J. Hutch, 2000)
19. State troopers defending power switching stations (Mellart, 1997)
20. “Shadows burn away” graffiti, Western Riot series (T. Lindeman, 1997)
21. Mayor Smyther re-election campain (Thomas Veer, 1994)
    • CURATORIAL NOTE: Misfiled? Shadows are all over the place. Check photo-manipulation.
22. “Was it good for you?” – Group of Street Shiners skateboarding in the ashes of Mixeffellion theatre, police officers gagged, bound and surrounded by celebrants in background, Western Riot series (T. Lindeman, 1997)