The writing on Kabul's walls

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghanistan-graffiti-20110801,0,2145482.story


Kabul graffiti artist Dy, aka Dysprosium, tags a wall in the Afghan capital. "You need to speak the truth and accept risks," says the gangly twentysomething. (David Gill / For The Times / August 1, 2011)

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan—
Dy, a.k.a. "Dysprosium," a name taken from a rare chemical element and meant to suggest his elusive nature, glides across the underbelly of the edgy city. It's after midnight in Kabul, approaching a favored hour for would-be suicide bombers to enter the city while security forces sleep, so they can strike during the morning rush.

Dy, however, is armed only with cans of spray paint, and his intentions are peaceful: to alter the drab contours of this embattled city.

Identifying a wall, Dy pulls the paint cans out of his bag and works quickly, writing slogans and crafting images that rail against corruption, repression and the malign influence of drug money.

"You need to speak the truth and accept risks," said the gangly twentysomething, dressed in a red T-shirt, stovepipe jeans and a scarf that doubles as a face covering. He asked to be identified only by his tagging name, citing concern for his safety. "I'm trying to make people question themselves, to wonder why we have such a situation in Afghanistan."