GRAFFITI

[spartan]

do you think that getting out onto the streets and spreading revolutionary messages via graffiti is constructive? personally i think it is and it is also artistic! (and illegal so we can give the boys in blue a big headache especiaslly if we do it on public well known places where lots of people will be able to view the graffiti afterwards :D ). the reason i am asking is because i am intrested in graffiti and would love to spray paint revolutionary messages all over my town!

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

mmm... its a good way of spreading a message, but many people will rant on about how all communists are vandals if they see one tag.

But i suppose im in favor of it, if its artistic that is not just a scribbled name!
seeing the same tag in a number of places will make people think and loof into the subject

[Freigemachten]

I'm torn on Graf. work. Some people did some tagging here on campus a few days ago, talking about possible alternative lifestyles and the need for change and stuff, and it made me feel good to know that people were seeing this stuff. But then today I saw a couple of working class, blue collar guys scrubbing away at it to get it off. Who's headache is it really? If they don't catch you the cops don't really have to worry about it, it becomes the responsibility of whatever city services or groundskeepers happen to manage that space.

[spartan]

I'm torn on Graf. work. Some people did some tagging here on campus a few days ago, talking about possible alternative lifestyles and the need for change and stuff, and it made me feel good to know that people were seeing this stuff. But then today I saw a couple of working class, blue collar guys scrubbing away at it to get it off. Who's headache is it really? If they don't catch you the cops don't really have to worry about it, it becomes the responsibility of whatever city services or groundskeepers happen to manage that space.
at least it gives them good honest work and hopefully a pay rise :D

[Saint Street Revolution]

It needs a message and it can't look like Vandalism, like a tag, which is somebody scribbling their name on a wall. I find tagging pointless.

The work of BANKSY is fucking great, and it's anarchistic. Here's some of his work. Some are just the stencil.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u112/hipper_photos/DSC00002.jpg (banks only did the maid, those taggers should have respected it by not writing their name on it...)

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x89/dankysniper/imageresizer.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/vidabo/SaleEnd.gif

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x270/patrickferrell/banksy_tv_window_1132485396.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u273/Giopizzaman/Banksy-CND.gif

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u235/ohcanit/FC.gif

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/argod10/banksy.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t35/blood_head/bombhugger.jpg

[Saint Street Revolution]

Here, I found my favorite:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/leviethridge24/Banksy1.jpg

[hajduk]

giv us moooreeee pleaseeee

[spartan]

giv us moooreeee pleaseeee
yes i agree! please give us more of these beautiful examples of street art Scribe!

[Saint Street Revolution]

I'll continue to look, meanwhile either google images with the search term "Banksy" or photobucket "Banksy".

[Tower of Bebel]

Most grafity suck balls. I'm in favor of murals, and Banksy's works are close to murals.

[Saint Street Revolution]

Here's a fresher version of the maid, just done, no tags over it.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa116/katedanderson/BANKSY20AGAIN.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa134/louise59/541551085_cc720b4114.jpg

(This is one of my personal favorites)
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa118/europeanwarren/P7110219.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff25/Nicholee_v/flowergirl-banksy.jpg

(INSANELY CLEVER)
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/davidchondo/banksy_what_full-769135.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t35/blood_head/streetreaper.jpg

This British Cultural Show covers a section on Banksy (http://youtube.com/watch?v=8e0IJSOq0xg)

This (http://youtube.com/watch?v=fZK7D6WqzR0) is Banksy doing three pieces in Palestine. Two are in broad daylight. I already put a picture of the peaceful protester, but here's the finished product of the other one, the second segment. The third is easy to see the finished one. Here:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f100/KEFENEX/KAFEIN/banksyPalestine.jpg

And this one was not shown, though it should have been...it's fucking mindblowing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/lemon_hed/pal04.jpg

[Saint Street Revolution]

Here's Banksy in LA, he held an actual gallery without being seen. Word is he was there. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=w-X1sBkQGTM)

[Tower of Bebel]

And don't forget the one with the twwo cops kissing each other. A person who sprayed paint over it was given a fine by the cops :lol: .

[Saint Street Revolution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2007 06:19 pm
And don't forget the one with the twwo cops kissing each other. A person who sprayed paint over it was given a fine by the cops :lol: .
Yeah, I can't find a picture of that one. It's in the Culture Show's display though.

[bezdomni]

how the fuck does he get away with doing the wall in broad daylight!?

[Saint Street Revolution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2007 06:22 pm
how the fuck does he get away with doing the wall in broad daylight!?
Considering that the Palestinian side is patrolled by armed guards and turrets, he most likely paid the guards handsomely.

edit Supposedly guards filmed that video.

[Tower of Bebel]

Originally posted by Scribe+September 06, 2007 08:21 pm--> (Scribe @ September 06, 2007 08:21 pm)
[email protected] 06, 2007 06:19 pm
And don't forget the one with the twwo cops kissing each other. A person who sprayed paint over it was given a fine by the cops :lol: .
Yeah, I can't find a picture of that one. It's in the Culture Show's display though.[/b]
http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/images/landscapes/brightoncoppers.jpg

[Saint Street Revolution]

Banksy in London (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nnvdrf8TXQ&NR=1)

SovietPants, I'm surprised he got away with this one, the giant rat.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

i suggest you buy "wall and piece" by him....its got loads of his stuff in it

[spartan]

i suggest you buy "wall and piece" by him....its got loads of his stuff in it
i think i will do just that comrade banksy is GREAT!!!

[RedStaredRevolution]

Graf. is a very good way to get political messages across but its also just a fun hobby to have. It doesnt always have to be political and it doesnt always have to be really good. I mean its kind of encouraging to see someones piece that isnt that good because it shows of new people getting interested in something a lot consider artistic. I dont consider myself very good at all but the only way I am going to bet to be as good as the greats is if i practice.

[Saint Street Revolution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 02:32 am
Graf. is a very good way to get political messages across but its also just a fun hobby to have. It doesnt always have to be political and it doesnt always have to be really good. I mean its kind of encouraging to see someones piece that isnt that good because it shows of new people getting interested in something a lot consider artistic. I dont consider myself very good at all but the only way I am going to bet to be as good as the greats is if i practice.
It should be good, because street art that makes the community look appealing gets a democratic vote to keep it on the wall or not. Most of Banksy's pieces are protected. If it's not good your just hurting the working class because some janitor will have to scrub away at it and most likely not be paid.

[bezdomni]

Originally posted by Scribe+September 07, 2007 06:47 pm--> (Scribe @ September 07, 2007 06:47 pm)
[email protected] 07, 2007 02:32 am
Graf. is a very good way to get political messages across but its also just a fun hobby to have. It doesnt always have to be political and it doesnt always have to be really good. I mean its kind of encouraging to see someones piece that isnt that good because it shows of new people getting interested in something a lot consider artistic. I dont consider myself very good at all but the only way I am going to bet to be as good as the greats is if i practice.
It should be good, because street art that makes the community look appealing gets a democratic vote to keep it on the wall or not. Most of Banksy's pieces are protected. If it's not good your just hurting the working class because some janitor will have to scrub away at it and most likely not be paid. [/b]
Are you implying that janitors don't receive wages?

[RedAnarchist]

Graffiti is something I would encourage as long as it sent a message. Theres nopoint just doodling because it'll be a waste of time and resources.

[midnight marauder]

I've just been informed that all forms of art are henceforth declared illegal.

Anyone caught engaging in or endorsing creative expression that is not explicitly political will be excommunicated from Marxism.

(OR:

Why are all these threads on graffiti so patronizing?

Where are all the real writers on Revleft?)

[RedAnarchist]

Originally posted by midnight [email protected] 08, 2007 02:10 am
I've just been informed that all forms of art are henceforth declared illegal.

Anyone caught engaging in or endorsing creative expression that is not explicitly political will be excommunicated from Marxism.

(OR:

Why are all these threads on graffiti so patronizing?

Where are all the real writers on Revleft?)
I don't mean that graffiti shouldn't be artistic, I'm just saying that graffiti can be a great tool and if posisble then we should use it to our advantage.

[Saint Street Revolution]

Originally posted by SovietPants+September 07, 2007 08:22 pm--> (SovietPants @ September 07, 2007 08:22 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 06:47 pm

[email protected] 07, 2007 02:32 am
Graf. is a very good way to get political messages across but its also just a fun hobby to have. It doesnt always have to be political and it doesnt always have to be really good. I mean its kind of encouraging to see someones piece that isnt that good because it shows of new people getting interested in something a lot consider artistic. I dont consider myself very good at all but the only way I am going to bet to be as good as the greats is if i practice.
It should be good, because street art that makes the community look appealing gets a democratic vote to keep it on the wall or not. Most of Banksy's pieces are protected. If it's not good your just hurting the working class because some janitor will have to scrub away at it and most likely not be paid.
Are you implying that janitors don't receive wages? [/b]
No, that he won't be paid any extra to his regular wage for the excess labor that could have been prevented.

[which doctor]

Banksy has lost much of his appeal to me now that he has become so commodified. His books are now sold in Urban Outfitters and governments are prosecuting people for "defacing" his "art."

[Opanaorms]

Graffiti doesn't have to be "artistic" to the majority in society. You may find yourself, being that you are on the left, always siding with the underdog. But in cases such as these you are siding with the ruling class by accepting their definitions of art.

A simple tag is artistic as it is. Letter forms are experimented with, manipulated, drawn from new starting points, or in different patterns, and eventually they may end up as large pieces on a train or in an abandoned building.

Graffiti is someone engaging with their environment, the world is not just a forum for working, making money, and dieing in. We know this. We should be encouraging people to subvert every piece of this world, every blank space, breed a sense of rebellion against something!

Graffiti is one of the finest examples of working class art. Often created with materials which have been appropriated from capitalists, and created on the property of other capitalists, for the pleasure of the working class, to the anger of the capitalist.

Draw what you think somewhere, write your name, your pseudonym, encourage a creative thought - its very simple to do, and amazingly fun.

[RedStaredRevolution]

Originally posted by Saint Street Revolution+September 07, 2007 02:47 pm--> (Saint Street Revolution @ September 07, 2007 02:47 pm)
RedStaredRevo[email protected] 07, 2007 02:32 am
Graf. is a very good way to get political messages across but its also just a fun hobby to have. It doesnt always have to be political and it doesnt always have to be really good. I mean its kind of encouraging to see someones piece that isnt that good because it shows of new people getting interested in something a lot consider artistic. I dont consider myself very good at all but the only way I am going to bet to be as good as the greats is if i practice.
It should be good, because street art that makes the community look appealing gets a democratic vote to keep it on the wall or not. Most of Banksy's pieces are protected. If it's not good your just hurting the working class because some janitor will have to scrub away at it and most likely not be paid. [/b]
im not talking about simple scribbles in a school bathroom. im talking about people that actually try and create something. im talking about people using actually spray paint go out at night and create things. but im not trying to discourage people writing in bathrooms and what not because to be honest and how most people (including me) got started. if people dont actually go out and try it then graff. would just die out with the people who do it now. people should be encouraged to go out and practice. even if they suck. crappy people have to practice to get better.

[Social Scum]

Originally posted by FoB
Banksy has lost much of his appeal to me now that he has become so commodified. His books are now sold in Urban Outfitters and governments are prosecuting people for "defacing" his "art".

First of all, why are the words defacing and art in quotations, which I assume express sarcasm? Banksy's work is most definitely art, and you seem to be suggesting that painting over it and such would be a good thing, as you seem to not believe it is "defacing". Would you rather they simply paint over it?

He has done all his book sales in a fashion that does not give his identity away (how he did this, I'm not sure), nor has he sold out to anyone. Personally, I think "Wall and Piece" serves as simply a way to get his art out to people who aren't exposed to Graffiti. Or to give the recipent of the book a memorial to his work, which is sometimes painted over.

[Social Scum]

Originally posted by openaorms
A simple tag is artistic as it is. Letter forms are experimented with, manipulated, drawn from new starting points, or in different patterns, and eventually they may end up as large pieces on a train or in an abandoned building.

Though I agree with you that it is artistic, it still gets painted over by a proletarian, and, as Saint Street Revolution indicated, increases the surplus value that the Bourgeoisie of the workplace accumulates. It's a tricky business, because it could benefit, or be completely on the contrary.

I personally do street art for myself and no other, and I do it in places such as abandoned warehouses and factories, and other places that most likely the only people to see it are me and other artists. Unless, like Banksy, your message is for the normal civilian to see, and the "tricky business" I previously mentioned occurs.

[midnight marauder]

First of all, why are the words defacing and art in quotations, which I assume express sarcasm? Banksy's work is most definitely art, and you seem to be suggesting that painting over it and such would be a good thing, as you seem to not believe it is "defacing". Would you rather they simply paint over it?

He has done all his book sales in an anonymous fashion, nor has he sold out to anyone. Personally, I think "Wall and Piece" serves as simply a way to get his art out to people who aren't exposed to Graffiti. Or to give the recipent of the book a memorial to his work, which is sometimes painted over.

I don't mean to speak for FoB and I know he's more than willing to do so himself, but the concepts of "art" and "defacing" are extrodinarily ironic for a government or a people to uphold with reference to Banky's work.

They are art and there's no question about that. Unfortunately, however, governments and narrow minded people have, since the days of Ed Koch, placed a premium on eradicating graffiti.

It's "vandalism" it's a "rejection of societal values" it's "an exhibition in anti-social behavior" it's "a clear lack of respect for authority and public property", etc.

So when a government decides that a piece by Banksy is suddenly "acceptable" enough that they want to protect it from other "graffiti vandals", that's not only completely inane but insulting to real writers.

And further than that, it's something that extends far beyond the confines of traditional people who can't understand the countless work that goes into refining calligraphy and the process behind making a tag, or the vast multitude of skills which make a bomb beautiful, or the intricacies of piecing that make graffiti an art movement in it's own right: It's an idea that is all too pervasive among everyone. There's heads I get up with that still believe what their doing isn't art. And if "art" means elitist critics patronizing what we do by ascribing various levels of acceptability to it, then fuck it, don't call me an artist.

There's something intrinsically snobbish about all these graffiti threads, and I have to take some time out of my day to wrap my mind around the fact that leftists still uphold this type of ridiculous cherry-picking about what constitutes "art" every time one of these comes out. That's not for you to decide. Anything to disassociate post-graffiti from it's origins, I guess.

Banksy is a terrific artist and has an absolutely amazing wealth of creative ingenuity that's rarely approached by artists of any field, but despite his skills, at one point or another you have to come to grips with the reality that while we're out risking or lives for our passion, Banksy is selling $5,000 dollar pieces to the same art galleries which label us as villains.

[Social Scum]

Hm, I suppose it's because I've looked up to Banksy forever, seeing him as this symbol of Resistance, this freedom, showing that you can still beat the system. I guess I just can't grasp it when someone like that sells out.

[midnight marauder]

The artwork we know him for and the artwork he will continue to make, the wheatpasting, the stenciling, the guerilla installations, will always be a symbol of freedom and resistance.

I don't mean to discredit him at all, he will always be one of my favorite writers.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

I cant say..."thats not art" because no one can judge that, but i am entiled to my opinion that a scribbled name does not make a wall more attractive.