Art Inspiration: Reverse Graffiti

INCIDENT:
Over the past year or so, reverse graffiti has been getting a lot of attention among artists and for good reason. The creativity and beauty in these often elaborate pieces call us to question societal perceptions about traditional graffiti. And while reverse graffiti simply involves cleaning dirt or debris to create an image instead of the use of paint or markers, somehow it is still subject to the same perception of recklessness and lawlessness as traditional graffiti.

Alexandre Orion working on his piece "Ossario: Art Less Pollution" via Ossario

The blog, Environmental Graffiti, which writes about cool and quirky environmental news, did a good overview of works of reverse graffiti. The ad hoc scribbles on dirty cars that we have all done at some point in our lives are put to shame by these works. Be on the look at for this style of graffiti to flourish in the future.

One of my favorites are Brazil's Alexandre Orion work "Ossario: Art Less Pollution," where he cleaned skulls into the wall of a transportation tunnel to highlight the negative effect of car emissions.

The originator of reverse graffiti is arguably Paul "Moose" Curtis. His Reverse Graffiti Project has done several large scale works in San Francisco.

Reverse Graffiti Project by Moose Curtis via PicoCool

MORAL:
This is a great example of the rethinking of materials. Both the production and execution of these pieces are noteworthy. The pieces themselves are awe inspiring and the process is equally intriguing.

Art Inspiration: Part 1

INCIDENT:
Last year I wrote about the artist Phil Hansen in a post called "Inspiration." Hansen mostly does portraits that have a single or multiple stencil look although most do not actually utilize stencils. The latest piece that is featured on Hansen's website is a huge portrait (15.5 ft x 11.5 ft) of Lance Armstrong. Hansen made the painting by dripping paint onto the wheels of a classic red Radio Flyer tricycle that he rode over the canvas. This piece does utilize clear plastic stencils to get a clean look but the marks have a lot of depth and character because of the way they marks were applied.

Here is a video of the making of this piece: "Lance"

MORAL:
Phil Hansen's creative methods and materials are always inspiring for me. Throw in his consistent output of work and I'm sold. He has discipline and talent... both of which I could use a little more of right now.

I haven't produced new work for a long while and the last time that I did was for a class that I took last year on block and lino printmaking. So if it were not for the class motivating me to pursue my art, I would still be without new work. I simply have not had the motivation or discipline to follow through even though I have been constantly developing new ideas. I am not sure what is holding me back... fear perhaps? Lack of time? Lack of talent? All of the above? Whatever the reason or excuse, it is clear that I can no longer hide behind it.

An artist friend of mine recommended that I read the book "Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I just started reading it and already it is giving me necessary perspective.

So my next several posts will focus on artists that inspire me, like Phil Hansen, for whatever reason -- their conviction, their artwork, their methodology, the subject of their art, etc. I hope that by surrounding myself with their work something good will rub off on me.

Urban Prankster

INCIDENT:
My newest obsession is the blog Urban Prankster. According to their about me, "Urban Prankster covers pranks, hacks, participatory art, flash mobs, and other creative endeavors that take place in public places in cities across the world."

Their most recent post was on a piece from Bruno Taylor's "Playful Spaces" series where he installs a swing at a London bus stop.



Several blog's have covered Bruno Taylor's "Playful Spaces" work. Check them out:

Pixelsumo -- Bruno Taylor

Wooster Collective -- Bruno Taylor's Playful Spaces

TreeHugger -- Go Play Outside: Bruno Taylor Makes Cities Fun

designboom -- playful spaces by bruno taylor

Urban Prankster -- Bus Stop Swing

MORAL:
This video made me very happy this morning so I just had to share the happiness that it brought to me. I think I will search out a swing later this afternoon and rekindle the joy of childhood.

337 Project

INCIDENT:
Buildings are knocked down to make way for new developments everyday (check out Implosion World to get your fill of building and structure implosions). Although there is a high frequency of building tear downs, most don't make the news unless it is a prominent or famous building or structure like Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh or the Great Buddhas of Bamiyan. So one would not expect that the destruction of a small office building in Salt Lake City (of all places) to turn any heads... except this one did.

The 337 Project was an art collaborative experiment. The owners of the building at 337 South 400 East turned the demolition of the office building and turned it into a great opportunity. They invited 94 artists to cover the building and its 42 rooms with art including installations, graffiti art, sculptures, and paintings. The building was on display for two weekends and then it was demolished as planned.

Images from the project can be seen here. The project was also documented in a film by the Dada Factory, titled The 337 Project Documentary, which is now being screened in Salt Lake City all summer for free at the Salt Lake Art Center. Here is the trailer for the film:

An exhibit is also currently on display at the Salt Lake Art Center called Present Tense: A Post 337 Project. It is an exhibition by some of the artists who participated in the original 337 Project. Aside from the documentary and the exhibition, the 337 Project also gave birth to two good resources on art in Salt Lake City.

337 Project Blog - tracks everything related to the 337 Project including another 337 type project in the works

Dada Robotnik - "Robotnik is a place for crazy art and ideas"

MORAL:
It is so great to see imaginative thinking about the demolition of a building. Often the destruction of a building only results in lots of landfill, instead this project inspired the creativity of countless of artists and observers.

It also addresses the fragile nature of life. Although you know that at some point your life will end, it is not usually on the forefront of your mind. 337 Project starts with that premise. To create art with the knowledge that it will change and in fact be destroyed is profound. We often hold close things in this world with the hope that it will never leave our lives. If we take for one second the mindset that things are transient... that life is transient... would we live different lives?

Time Stops at Grand Central Station

INCIDENT:
Improv Everywhere is a group of "undercover agents" that cause pretty amusing public scenes without trying to anger any of the public who witness their "missions." Their work is intended to be funny and bring joy to those who are lucky enough to witness it first hand. One of my favorites from this group is when they frozen time in Grand Central station. It is one of those moments that you wish you were there in person.



MORAL:
I really love when art can infiltrate the daily lives of people and affect their day in a positive way. For me, art only needs to effect your thinking... whether it is something simple as a change in your current state of mind or in your mood, or when you encounter a great work of art it can change your beliefs or your view of the world. That is profound. I hope everyone can find that kind of art in their daily lives.

Surviving

INCIDENT:
PostSecret is one of my favorite community-based art projects (Your Art Here is another favorite). There has been a lot of press, books, and even an All-American Rejects video on this art project. What is so great about PostSecret is that it makes art accessible. Some people do not think that they can be creative or artistic, but projects like PostSecret redefine the publics conception of what art can be. I have always believed that one’s perspective is crucial to the appreciation of art. And in the simplicity of the concept for this project, we find a complex outcome - life, death, happiness, and great sadness, but also humanity, hope, and faith.

Frank Warren, who is the founder of PostSecret, said at a recent lecture that "the children the world almost break become the adults who save it." I think you need to let that marinate a bit.

MORAL:
The inherent nature of our society with its freedom of choice as individuals leads to a spectrum of emotion and experience. And while children perhaps have somewhat less control over their lives they certainly are not immune to the highs and lows that the world holds for them. Those that do make it through life's experiences have a different perspective on life. Perhaps it is an urgency... maybe it is a clearer purpose... I am not sure what it is. But if you ever met anyone who has gone through anything major in their life, you have seen it. And it is inspiring.

UPDATE (02/08/08): Be inspired.

Through the Lens of War

INCIDENT:
James Nachtwey's photography has recently received lots of attention as his new exhibition titled "The Sacrifice" opens at the 401 Projects in the West Village of New York City. This new exhibition documents the sacrifice being made overseas by medics, physicians, and soldiers in Iraq. Nachtwey's talents was also recently acknowledged by his award of a 2007 TED prize.

World’s Cruelty and Pain, Seen in an Unblinking Lens

Shattered 9/11/2001: a remarkable collection of photographs by photojournalist James Nachtwey

James Nachtwey

MORAL:
It is easy to separate ourselves from the war abroad. Ironically we are disconnected from the reality of the Iraq war even though we experienced the very real reality of 9/11 and knew firsthand how devastating it was to every American. But somehow we are immune to the news stories about the tragic deaths of soldiers or of innocents, or of entire towns being leveled in the Middle East. Nachtwey's work is an important reminder.

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated." - James Nachtwey

Inspiration

INCIDENT:
Artist Phil Hansen (www.philinthecircle.com) painted 30 different people or objects one on top of another on his torso. Some had an artistic influence and others had an impact in different parts of his life. He then peeled off the entire piece and cut out his portrait.

MORAL:
I could use some inspiration artistically and personally. And the creativity of others usually fills in this void.

In mid-flight

INCIDENT:
Denis Darzacq took photographs of dancers in mid-flight in urban settings.

La Chute (The Fall) - Photographs by Denis Darzacq

MORAL:
The harsh nature of the architecture compared to the fluid movements of the dancers creates an opposition between man and building. This opposition forms an interesting dynamic and questions the intent of the created. How do we address issues of function and reflect the inherent nature (biomechanical, psychological, etc) of man, and all within the constraints of materiality? And should we?

Broken Angel - Art? Architecture? Hazard?

INCIDENT:

image from the New York Times

Arguably Broken Angel in Brooklyn is a historic landmark. It is a hodgepodge of interventions and personal art projects. The owner Arthur Wood argues that it's beauty cannot be fully appreciated from the exterior. But I think everyone can agree that it's novel and unique facades make you stop and question.

Broken Angel is the name of the old Brooklyn Trolley headquarters that Wood has been adding to and renovating since he purchased the building in the late 70s. A fire last year alerted officials to building code violations and have led to the building's condemnation a couple of months ago. This project questions - What is art? What is architecture? And how much compromise must we make for what we believe in?

An Angel Is Pulled Closer to Earth - The New York Times

MORAL:
Self expression is a great gift. And it is through self expression that we can uncover and define our selves. Broken Angel is such a controversy because it is more than the expression of one individual's creativity. It is a part of the daily life of everyone who lives in Clinton Hill. It is a destination for art lovers. It is home to Wood's family. When art becomes more than itself, do we still call it art? Or is it something more?