Our good homies that run The Bad Character have recently opened their new website which we announced a few moths ago. Anyhow, the website has been adorned with an updated portfolio of items that were desgined by The Bad Character Crew. Be sure to view the updated portfolio here.

Also, check back for an interview with The Bad Character Crew soon! In the mean time, don’t strain those eyes too hard with the unreleased items in the 2010 lookbooks!

Zumiez have made a very, very wise choice in picking up The Seventh Letter Crew products and are their most respected and legit brand that they carry, in my opinion. In commemoration and celebration of all of this, T7L Crew are holding an awesome contest. All that you have to do is pick-up any of the cut&sew items pictured above, take a picture of yourself in one of the items, and be sure to include a receipt of the purchased item. From there, 1 of 10 signed artist prints will be given-away from EWOK and RIME.

Also, Where Eagle$ Dare stickers will be given-away with The Seventh Letter Crew/Known Gallery Online Orders while supplies last! Good luck!

This is one of my favorite bombs right here! fresh syle and a bad ass spot. siicckk.

huge off the 210 fwy

 

Is this not a brilliant thing where undiscovered artists can clearly make a name for themselves even if they choose not to show a face? I’m sympathetic to people who don’t want their wall’s daubed with slogans and well aware that graffiti and vandalism is illegal in this and most other countries but my simply reply is that art is not illegal and not subject to these laws. I think that as long as the pieces can be considered artistic they have as much right to stay on the walls as the occupants have to live in their own homes and if those living there don’t like or deem it offensive it they can’t paint over it can’t they? Surely this is a matter of common sense and not of the courts in any circumstances? I understand that some slogans may be interpreted differently and disagreed with so if it’s on your wall and you don’t like it then you can happily do something about it. I’m sure most artists will get the message and paint somewhere else rather than lose all of their time and effort. This system works much better than trying to set out rules and regulations for what is acceptable and what isn’t – its art and that means you don’t have to like it and it doesn’t have to play by the rules.
 
Maybe graffiti has finally found its time and place, with the standard being raised from unsightly ‘tags’ to bigger and better pieces that can be considered art in its own right, popular opinion towards street art is changing and as long as it looks good and brightens up an otherwise dull wall who can really complain? In fact when one of Banksy’s pieces – stencilled on a wall in Bristol came under threat, a public vote showed that 97 per cent wanted it to be kept. Still there’s always someone out to ruin the fun isn’t there?
 
A famous sociological theory simply named ‘Broken window theory’ dictates that run down areas containing graffiti as a sign of the degradation of the area are only going to attract a higher crime rate because people assume no one ‘cares’ about these areas whereas a lot of the new style artwork in areas like shore-ditch is actually leading to a boom in people who want to live and travel there owing to the perception of the area as fun and vibrant with expression. Isn’t it about time England was put back on the map for artwork? Times are changing and town councils and art critics alike need to move with the times or simply stand aside because it’s not going to stop now, graffiti thrives as a much needed way of expression and the social commentary contained in many pieces is now the painted voice of those who have no other means than a spray can and a blank wall to show what’s on their mind.

Graffiti and street are constantly evolving and changing aspects of social commentary and art itself masterpieces are no longer only confined to canvas and graffiti has come a long way since the back of the toilet door and this is what makes it so exciting, you can walk past a stencil on a wall of the Mona Lisa and marvel at its place here brightening up a dirty alley but by the time you’ve run home and gotten your camera it’s been changed to a picture of Osama bin laden with a rocket launcher! There is no need to stifle this kind of creativity as it will run itself and simply by looking at the walls around you in a different way you can learn to appreciate not only art but the place in which you live.

 I truly believe that making things illegal gives them an air of mystique (just look at drugs) and the tale of Banksy creeping around in the night and playing an ever more daring game of cat and mouse with the powers that be calls out and inspires the part of us that loves the outlaw, the Robin Hood’s and Batman’s of this world but this is just a man with a ladder, some stencils and an idea. The only difference between most people and Robert Banks is that he goes out there and does it and because of this he has become the stuff of legend and by keeping his identity hidden (to paraphrase Batman crudely) he has become ‘more than a man.’ These are interesting times we live in now that what he does has become accepted and in interesting times the doors are opened for hundreds of others who always wanted to do something like this but were always just looking for that extra push.
 
Looking at the unification of the art world and the way that those who paint on walls instead of canvas are now considered ‘artists’ instead of merely ‘vandals’ is a sign of the exciting times we live in. I don’t understand how anyone could object to the rise in beautiful outlandish paintings popping up in front of you as you walk around town, I cannot stand bad graffiti, mispelt and indecipherable tags on fading walls do not appeal to anyone except the narcissism of those who painted it. Our only hope is to separate graffiti and art and let those with talent reclaim the writing on our walls.
 
Life should be an art gallery and the streets are ours to do as we please.
 
Please feel free to comment, your feedback is appreciated and it’s always going to be about getting involved. If you’ve seen any fantastic pictures or clever ideas then please leave the link for us all to enjoy.

Matt Turner – freakofthepit@hotmail.com

Check out my blog and enjoy more sideways looking at the world at

www.spiderjerusalem101.wordpress.com

To see highlights from Banksy’s Bristol art gallery show and to view his website please follow this link, you wont be disappointed

http://www.banksy.co.uk/index2.html
 
To see more of the wealth of street art from around I can give you no better recommendation that to simply type ‘street art’ into Google images. Be warned you may find it inspiring. Those of you who need spoon feeding may as well check out www.ukstreetart.co.uk

Since my last blog post, an overwhelming urge came over me to create art that perverted the cartoon rabbit. I don’t know where it came from. Like many kids from the 1980’s, I grew up watching Bugs Bunny and salivating during cereal commercials featuring Trix The Rabbit. Trix always had some scheme to get one over on those asshole kids, but the poor bastard always managed to slip up before he could get a mouthful of that colorful sugar crusted breakfast cereal.

“Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids,” sang a choir of children’s voices at the end of every commercial.

Anyway, the sudden inspiration behind these “Wabbit” paintings remains a mystery to me. I guess it doesn’t really matter. Who cares? Does every cool piece of art have to be explained?

The first of two “Wabbit” paintings is really crazy. I call it “WA’SUP DOC”.
The piece measures 24in” x 30in” on gallery profile canvas. As always I drew, painted and distressed the character on sketch paper and later collaged it onto the canvas. For me, the dark suit and TNT detonator spell fun with a capital F U N.

Next up is “THE SAVAGE SHE-WABBIT”. This work measures 24in” x 30in” on gallery profile canvas and was created using the same process as “WA’ SUP DOC”.
A rather curvy bombshell in a white rabbit suit is the key component in this composition. Yowza!
I think the irony in the piece is also fun. It’s a well know fact that rabbits are usually food for larger animals, but make no mistake, “THE SAVAGE SHE-WABBIT” is at the top of the food chain in this composition.

Both “WA’SUP DOC” & “THE SAVAGE SHE-WABBIT” are now available on my website.
Until next time…..See you in the funny pages.

The Be All And End All, originally uploaded by CpPhotoNZ.

Went on a photomish to Lyttelton, this area was on the way, half demolished buildings, in a big area off mess! was amazing.

The Den walls have been seeing some colour over the past week but there’s still a lot more to go. There are still a couple of walls that haven’t been taken yet, so if you’re interested please let us know.

There are a lot of “tools” that go into the art and design process.  Paint, pencils, brushes, mouse buttons, fingertips, music, etc, etc, etc.  But how about your eyes?  Isn’t that tool #1, aside from your brain?

The eyes, (Tool #1) is finally getting some technologic attention these days and it’s brought a tear to mine.  Let me introduce to you Mr. Tony Quans a.k.a. the legendary LA graffiti artist TEMPTONE.

Tempt, suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a phenomenal artist.  But the disease has left him completely paralyzed…except for his eyes.  A new advancement in technology named, “Eye Writer” has enabled art to be projected anywhere solely by the mapping of eye movements.  Art is classified as an individuals contribution to society and the developers behind the Eye Writer are making sure complete paralysis doesn’t stop people like Tempt from making their contribution.  If you’d like to find out more, visit Eye Writer Initiative or check out the following articles; The Eye Writer – F.A.T., Eye Writer Allows Man To Paint Despite Paralysis and a collection of videos by Evan Roth.

HAZE is a legendary street artist who moved on to become an acclaimed art director. We were fortunate enough to get to see some of his work in person and meet the man himself! Check out our photo gallery:

‘Jewellery clinic’

by J. Deporta

Renfield Lane

Muito genial! Kelburn está localizada na costa oeste da Escócia, 70 km a leste de Glasglow, voltada para o oceano. O castelo precisava ser restaurado e  a ideía era fazer das paredes do castelo uma tela temporária, para realizar esta maravilha de tarefa foram convidados os graffiteiros paulistanos Os Gemeos, Nina e Nunca. Confira o resultado abaixo:

“It looks as if BNE is upping the ante, and trying to go All World.” —ABC News

This post is for Miss Chen, who was at the Waverly Diner the very same time as BNE… and didn’t even know it.

BNE

www.missrosen.us

Prestel is pleased to announce the November 2009 launch of

PIECEBOOK RELOADED

Rare Graffiti Drawings 1985–2005

By Sacha Jenkins and David Villorente

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CES

Ces discussed his work, including Ces One TMT, Wish 4 (2004), markers, 8.5 x 11 in., selected for publication in Piecebook Reloaded by Sacha Jenkins and David Villorente (Prestel, November 2009, $29.95).

Please give us a little background on when and where you started writing?

Ces: I started writing in 1983. I was already artistically inclined at a young age, and was introduced into writing through neighborhood friends.

Ces One TMT, Wish 4 (2004), markers, 8.5 x 11 in.

How do piecebooks function for you as a place to check out techniques and style, as well as to flex your own?

I feel that piecebooks are like the blueprints to style formation as well as color combos and design elements. The more you do and draw, the better you will become and it will help you to get out many ideas that you can use when taking it to paint.

Piecebooks seem to be very intimate items, circulate by invitation among only those in the know. In the book, Sacha Jenkins likens this to early social networking, black books rather than Facebook. What are your thoughts?

Yes piecebooks are very personal, you can choose to keep yours private, or share it with the writers you choose. It’s not for everyone’s eyes. They become like a time capsules for works done during those times.

How did you decide what to contribute to Piecebook Reloaded?

I wanted to give something older and more involved as have done mannnnny works in books over my writing career. On another note, since Piecebook dropped, I have really gotten back to hitting my books. I forgot how important it is and I’m still rocking.

Looking back over your career, what surprises you the most about the state of graffiti today?

My career- well I guess that I’m still in love with graff. Never thought that far ahead when I was a kid that I would still be doing it and on such a level over 27 years later.

Anyone you wanna shout out?

My team at Tuff City Tattoos and all the real writers worldwide. www.CES-ONE.com

www.CES-ONE.com

FACEBOOK

www.missrosen.us

About the Book:

Once upon a time, long before technology created an online global community, graffiti was a highly localized art form. Be it on the subway or in the street, graffiti was available only to those who crossed its path. Though photographs were shot and circulated amongst those in the know, and sometimes even made it out into the world through early graff books and magazines, the truly exclusive were given to circulating the piecebook, an iconic black sketchbook with heavy stock paper, perfect for showcasing the most personal forms of marker-based artwork.

Like its critically celebrated predecessor, Piecebook Reloaded: Rare Graffiti Drawings 1985–2005 by Sacha Jenkins and David Villorente (Prestel, November 2009, $29.95) recreates look and feel of those elusive sketchbooks. Featuring the work of more than 50 graffiti legends, including REAS, CES, DOC, TACK, PURE, PART, COPE 2, REVOLT and STEM, Piecebook Reloaded delivers the best of the best in its most confidential expression. “There’s nothing more honest than a drawing not intended for the world to see,” Sacha Jenkins astutely observes. “The images culled for this tome have been through fire, having traveled borough to borough, bounding hand to hand, surviving the good and the bad that three-dimensional New York life can offer. Here we are, mustard stains and all.”

Piecebook Reloaded features work created from 1985–2005, during a period when graffiti moved from the subways to the streets, changing the game for many who found that without the thrill of the trains, the magic of bombing was gone. These two decades also marked a transition in the status of graffiti as an art form as determined by the gallery world. What was once the darling of the avant-garde was deemed “over,” and it would take some time before the economics of the art scene got behind graffiti culture again. Yet, at the same time, we witness the rise of corporate marketing departments blatantly co-opting graff tactics for its innovative and effective approach to mass communication.

Yet despite these changes to the literal and business landscapes, graff writers continued executing their exceptional talents in the private confines of the piecebook. Sharing work that was meant to impress their contemporaries while expressing their individual vision Piecebook Reloaded features never-before-published art by GHOST, CYCLE, WANE, CRASH, SEEN, DAZE, PINK, MITH, SANE, DONDI, ZEPHYR, SP.ONE, SHARP, JON ONE, MARE, CEY, and others. And with an eye toward the authentic and the inclusive, Piecebook Reloaded is printed on paper stock identical to that of actual sketchbooks, with plenty of blank pages for you to add your own masterpiece to the mix.

About the Authors:

Sacha Jenkins is a former graffiti writer turned journalist. A one-time music editor at Vibe and senior writer for Spin, he is the co-founder of the seminal hip hop magazine ego trip as well as the co-author of New York Times bestseller The Way I Am, an authorized biography of musical icon Eminem.

David Villorente was the editor of Source magazine’s graffiti pages for 11 years, writing under his tag, “Chino.” Villorente was a prolific writer of another sort, getting up (inside) the trains on the BMT and IND lines from 1984–1987, as well as a ton of street bombing after that time both locally and abroad. He is the co-author of Mascots & Mugs: The Characters and Cartoons of Subway Graffiti. Check out his blog on 12ozprophet.com

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We were given a photo in my Digital Illustration class and we had to recreate it with the pen tool, and gradients.  We then created graffiti  and have to free transform it onto one of the blank walls.  This is my finished piece.  I opted to take out the dining room table and chairs, as well as the couch for now so I can make the basics of the room look as real as possible.  I want to continue to work on it adding back in the furniture to make it look complete.  I’m pretty please so far.  I haven’t used gradients before this and it was a little tricky to get hte hang of, but I think it looks pretty realistic thus far.  Feel free to leave some feedback!

On connaissait le collectif espagnol Luzinterruptus et ses attentats lumineux. Dans le même ordre d’idée, voici un superbe collectif GRL (Graffiti Research Lab), des vrais rebelles mondialisés comme on n’en fait plus qui se font même arrêter, comme Keith Haring en son temps.

Ils militent pour des moyens d’expressions aussi inédits que sauvages, à l’instar des Throwies, de petites LED aimantées à jeter partout.

GRL à Rotterdam

Les vidéos qui suivent montrent plusieurs utilisations de ces “throwies”, et plusieurs interventions, dont certaines demandent la libération de leurs camarades. Cliquez sur l’image pour ouvrir un lien vers leur site. Pour fabriquer un “throwie”, voir ici.



Également intéressantes, leurs actions anti-pub qui ne sont pas sans rappeler les interventions de l’artiste français (cocorico) Zevs.

La version Zevs de l’affaire

zevs - the end

zevs - the end