*This post does not support unlawful acts
This week I have been looking around for things, since most of my belongings are still in cardboard boxes from the move, it seems that I am looking more than usual. I began looking around online as well for resources and events related to the trip to New York City I will be taking next weekend and found a place called 5 Pointz.
5 Pointz is a graffiti mecca. It is located in Long Island City, New York and is an outdoor exhibit space- specifically artists or “writers” can apply for a permit to utilize this 200,000 sq. ft. factory as a canvas for their own expression. What a wonderful place! The youtube coverage is extensive, you can find videos of the ever changing scenery and look up your favorite writers as the location attracts many notable graffiti writers as well as celebrities and hip-hop artists.
How do you talk about graffiti with your students? As a high school teacher this topic comes up quite frequently- is it “OK” to tag your locker at school in the name of artistic expression? If graffiti is a form of art, then why can’t I tag all over the desks, walls, bathroom stalls, and office windows while at school? It’s a public building after all…. doesn’t that mean that I own it?? I think I have heard all the arguments, but it can lead to a productive discussion about the difference between graffiti and vandalism. And ask the question, what is the difference?
Gastman and Neelon (2010) state “as soon as humans figured out how to write on things we did it. Graffiti-- in its original definition as a scratched or written public marking-- is considered to be the first example of human art.” How can we say the very first example of human art is no longer valid today? Or that it cannot be done in school? Are there ways to include this type of art into the curriculum while still obeying the law? Why has graffiti become considered vandalism? Many people associate vandalism with malicious acts, deliberate defacement and destruction of property-- I would be willing to bet that most graffiti writers think the value of the property goes up as opposed to destruction once something is written upon. On the other hand, do you want your home covered in graffiti?
Is there a happy medium? When viewing graffiti writing there is an undeniable artistic intent. The pieces display composition and use of the elements and principles of design all while exploring typographic effects and letterform. There is often sketching and planning involved and artists display various degree of skill with aerosol media. What possesses people to leave their mark? Cavemen sprayed around their own hands to leave their “tag” to have a record for future humans to discover and relate to. I believe the same need still lives within us today-- and comes across in varying forms of art. Why do we create?
The history of graffiti is a fascinating one, and one that is alive and thriving today. As a form of contemporary art it has become quite popular and has even made its way indoors to be sold in many noteworthy galleries across the world. Graffiti writers have been invited by public officials, private institutions and individuals to come and write on their walls. But, what do you tell a student who wants to learn graffiti? Encourage them to look at it. Soak in everything you can-- learn from the masters, notice all of the things we teach in the art room coming into play. Design, plan, practice, and know the law. Look up your local laws on vandalism and destruction of property, and choose your location wisely. Spray your own walls, spray on canvas, and ask permission. Many communities are embracing graffiti and street art alike and have created public space specifically for this purpose. Encourage young artists to seek out these types of locations and create a plan of action. Research other artists that have used the space and discuss site specific work. This can be a great opportunity to talk about public art and communicating an important message.
Newseum, Berlin Wall
We are lucky in the greater Boston area to have a wonderful space called Richard B. “Rico” Modica’s Way in Cambridge, right in the heart of Central Square. At any given day (yes even during daylight hours) artists and writers alike are encouraged to leave their mark. Its a fascinating and ever-changing location always alive with color, lines and textures that will keep you wanting more. Notable artists such as Shepherd Fairey, Swoon, Fish McGill and many others have used this wall as a canvas- it is a great example of the community coming together to embrace a style of artwork that is popular and public.
Modica Way 1 Modica Way 2
Modica Way 3
Modica Way 4
The city of Los Angeles, CA has been surrounded by some controversy when it comes to public works on both public and private buildings. It seems the city and the artists are constantly struggling to get along. In an effort to communicate their point, many artists and writers came together to stage a protest, or you could say it was a pretty creative solution: write it in the air!
More info can be found at:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/graffiti-artist-takes-his-art-and-message-to-the-sky.html
Watch the video of the sky being tagged here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eD2YphmN0w&feature=player_embedded
Great book on American Graffiti:
R. Gastman & C. Neelon (2010). The History of American Graffiti. New York: Harper Design.
5 Pointz Graffiti Mecca in NYC: www.5ptz.com
Graffiti in a gallery:
http://dailydujour.com/2011/11/18/seen-pose-for-white-wash-known-gallery/
Graffiti meets photojournalism:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2099542,00.html?iid=lb-photos
Graffiti writer Risk: www.riskrock.com
Caleb Neelon: http://calebneelon.com/
Graffiti writer Saber: http://saberone.com/
More on street art and graffiti to come!
-Kristi Oliver
LOOKING AROUND: GRAFFITI
*This post does not support unlawful acts
This week I have been looking around for things, since most of my belongings are still in cardboard boxes from the move, it seems that I am looking more than usual. I began looking around online as well for resources and events related to the trip to New York City I will be taking next weekend and found a place called 5 Pointz.
5 Pointz is a graffiti mecca. It is located in Long Island City, New York and is an outdoor exhibit space- specifically artists or “writers” can apply for a permit to utilize this 200,000 sq. ft. factory as a canvas for their own expression. What a wonderful place! The youtube coverage is extensive, you can find videos of the ever changing scenery and look up your favorite writers as the location attracts many notable graffiti writers as well as celebrities and hip-hop artists.
How do you talk about graffiti with your students? As a high school teacher this topic comes up quite frequently- is it “OK” to tag your locker at school in the name of artistic expression? If graffiti is a form of art, then why can’t I tag all over the desks, walls, bathroom stalls, and office windows while at school? It’s a public building after all…. doesn’t that mean that I own it?? I think I have heard all the arguments, but it can lead to a productive discussion about the difference between graffiti and vandalism. And ask the question, what is the difference?
Gastman and Neelon (2010) state “as soon as humans figured out how to write on things we did it. Graffiti-- in its original definition as a scratched or written public marking-- is considered to be the first example of human art.” How can we say the very first example of human art is no longer valid today? Or that it cannot be done in school? Are there ways to include this type of art into the curriculum while still obeying the law? Why has graffiti become considered vandalism? Many people associate vandalism with malicious acts, deliberate defacement and destruction of property-- I would be willing to bet that most graffiti writers think the value of the property goes up as opposed to destruction once something is written upon. On the other hand, do you want your home covered in graffiti?
Is there a happy medium? When viewing graffiti writing there is an undeniable artistic intent. The pieces display composition and use of the elements and principles of design all while exploring typographic effects and letterform. There is often sketching and planning involved and artists display various degree of skill with aerosol media. What possesses people to leave their mark? Cavemen sprayed around their own hands to leave their “tag” to have a record for future humans to discover and relate to. I believe the same need still lives within us today-- and comes across in varying forms of art. Why do we create?
The history of graffiti is a fascinating one, and one that is alive and thriving today. As a form of contemporary art it has become quite popular and has even made its way indoors to be sold in many noteworthy galleries across the world. Graffiti writers have been invited by public officials, private institutions and individuals to come and write on their walls. But, what do you tell a student who wants to learn graffiti? Encourage them to look at it. Soak in everything you can-- learn from the masters, notice all of the things we teach in the art room coming into play. Design, plan, practice, and know the law. Look up your local laws on vandalism and destruction of property, and choose your location wisely. Spray your own walls, spray on canvas, and ask permission. Many communities are embracing graffiti and street art alike and have created public space specifically for this purpose. Encourage young artists to seek out these types of locations and create a plan of action. Research other artists that have used the space and discuss site specific work. This can be a great opportunity to talk about public art and communicating an important message.
We are lucky in the greater Boston area to have a wonderful space called Richard B. “Rico” Modica’s Way in Cambridge, right in the heart of Central Square. At any given day (yes even during daylight hours) artists and writers alike are encouraged to leave their mark. Its a fascinating and ever-changing location always alive with color, lines and textures that will keep you wanting more. Notable artists such as Shepherd Fairey, Swoon, Fish McGill and many others have used this wall as a canvas- it is a great example of the community coming together to embrace a style of artwork that is popular and public.
The city of Los Angeles, CA has been surrounded by some controversy when it comes to public works on both public and private buildings. It seems the city and the artists are constantly struggling to get along. In an effort to communicate their point, many artists and writers came together to stage a protest, or you could say it was a pretty creative solution: write it in the air!
More info can be found at:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/graffiti-artist-takes-his-art-and-message-to-the-sky.html
Watch the video of the sky being tagged here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eD2YphmN0w&feature=player_embedded
Great book on American Graffiti:
R. Gastman & C. Neelon (2010). The History of American Graffiti. New York: Harper Design.
5 Pointz Graffiti Mecca in NYC: www.5ptz.com
Graffiti in a gallery:
http://dailydujour.com/2011/11/18/seen-pose-for-white-wash-known-gallery/
Graffiti meets photojournalism:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2099542,00.html?iid=lb-photos
Graffiti writer Risk: www.riskrock.com
Caleb Neelon: http://calebneelon.com/
Graffiti writer Saber: http://saberone.com/
More on street art and graffiti to come!
- Kristi Oliver