Stenciling

[spartafc]

I'm not speaking on an individual level but I have some questions that you may or may not want to answer:

Is stenciling something that we should be looking towards? Does it provide a challenge to capitalist hegemony, or is it largely a toothless gesture?

Does anyone have any pretty pictures that they would admire in stencil form - or pretty stencils? Or ones that they wish existed?


[disclaimer: naturally, rev-left does not encourage anyone to break the law, and neither do I. If such a thing were to happen, perish the thought, it wouldn't be advisable to discuss the intricacies of those actions online perhaps? I suggest that you only stencil the walls of your own house...or something... ]

[danny android]

Stencilling has been used a lot in the past. In the 60's anti-war groups like the YIP would stencile WAR below the STOP on a stop sign. I always thought that was kind oa neat.

STOP
WAR!

[FatFreeMilk]

Is stenciling something that we should be looking towards? Does it provide a challenge to capitalist hegemony, or is it largely a toothless gesture? Looking towards for what? As in a solution to all the world's troubles? Hell no. As in a way to express a common sentiment, or a symbol of a common sentiment, sure why not.

I'm sure capitalists aren't intimidated, although probably very annoyed, buy stencils. But they do have an effect, and any time you do something that cathes peoples' attention, that may or may not be a good thing, depending on what it is you're doing. In this case, a good thing.

You may want to check the grafix forum for stennil ideas. If they have any, I don't know cus I don't really go in there.


naturally, rev-left does not encourage anyone to break the lawoh yeah, totally! uh huh.


I suggest that you only stencil the walls of your own house...or something... ] HAHA! right...

[Urban Rubble]

Yeah, we do a lot of stencil work in Seattle. I've done a few alright ones, but I'm not the best artist. I did one of the Palestinian Rock Thrower on the window of a bakery around here, owned by an outspoken Zionist who has given support to Sharon and the apartheid fence.

[spartafc]

Looking towards for what? As in a solution to all the world's troubles? Hell no. As in a way to express a common sentiment, or a symbol of a common sentiment, sure why not.

yeah - I agree. It makes me wonder about what the focus of any stencil-work should be. I suppose it can be as far-ranging topic-wise as people want it to be. What people choose to focus on or express is perhaps the most interesting part.

[spartafc]

I like the hammer and sickle stencils i've seen, but this raises questions for me about how we go about re-appropriating that icon after years of its abuse.

[novemba]

Stencils = Proper Propaganda

http://www.stencilrevolution.com

http://www.woostercollective.com

[Faceless]

stencils are amazing fun in my experience. I try to do things which are unexpected or shocking, you are looking to grab attention. Absurdism is a method I like although best not to be too subtle. Not always good to make an outright "hammer&sickle" logo, like has been said, it is an abused symbol. You don't want your message pigeonholed ideologically, make a statement which is original, ambiguous and maybe witty. I wont be posting images myself of anything I may have done, that would be a mistake I believe. That stencilrevolution link is great.

[Clarksist]

I'm working on stenciling some shirts.

Is acrylic paint okay? Or perhaps spray paint?

BTW, the little criminal inside me also spray painted war under the stop on a stop sign. Changing the world in the little ways I can.