Graffiti
Someguy is some guy working across the studio from me who has turned an fascination for bathroom wall graffiti into one of the most engaging collaborative art projects I’ve seen. Back in August 2000 he distributed 1000 blank journals around San Francisco, leaving them in bars, on the bus and handing them to friends and strangers. Inside were instructions to contribute something to the pages of the journal and pass it on. The journals made their away around the world, like some sort of global ‘exquisite corpse’ they became a product of the groups collective consciousness. What has happened to the journals is as compelling as the content found therein. They’ve been stolen at gunpoint (#949), taken to remote mountaintops (#323) and in journal #587 someone wrote a heartfelt apology and sent the journal to the friend they had wronged. The apology was not accepted.
The journals are catalogued online at 1000journals.com and in a book. If you’re not fortunate enough to find one or be passed one then that kind Someguy has created 1001 journals just for you.
Gary Butcher
Posted on Tuesday, 8th of May 2007 Permalink
Hektor is nothing new. It debuted in 2002 and made a splash in the design world and on the web. For the uninitiated, Hektor is a portable spray-paint ‘printer’ that is able to create awesome, large scale vector art on walls. There is a beautiful tension between the low-tech medium and higher-tech line work, the latter of which is my reason for posting now. When recently thinking about how often the process can often be more visually compelling than the product I remembered the diagrams showing Hektor’s javascript-driven path. The lines demonstrate a computer’s logic and efficiency but remind me of some earlier 30gms posts on much the more organic art forms of sewing and drawing.
Gary Butcher
Posted on Thursday, 1st of March 2007 Permalink
It’s the largest because it’s on the side of the Renzo Piano KPN Telecom Building in Rotterdam, the smallest because they are all 22 x 41 pixel animations. Get some popcorn, turn you phone off and enjoy. Another Graffiti Research Lab spectacular.
David Rainbird
Posted on Monday, 19th of February 2007 Permalink
Guerilla marketing is in the spotlight lately thanks to the Boston Police overreacting (?) to some viral ads for Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
Earlier this year Graffiti Research Lab together with The Anti-Advertising Agency went guerilla to tackle what they see as a corporate sponsored graffiti on the streets of New York by masking the omnipresent advertising video screens with stenciled messages. You can debate whether or not their reaction is effective or justified but I can’t help but fall in love with how nice that type looks with abstract video playing within. Link.
Gary Butcher
Posted on Thursday, 15th of February 2007 Permalink
London graffiti artist Insa has a sexy new exhibition in town at BEST. Appropriately titled ‘Sneaker Fetish’ the exhibition shows off a collection of bare feet wearing wire frame Nike Air trainers and abstract Nike screen prints. I managed to get down to the opening night last Thursday that boasted limited edition prints and scarves for sale.
The best piece by far is the huge painted legs on the wall (a shame this can’t be purchased). The exhibition is on until Christmas at BEST and a must for people with a thing for feet.
Vikesh Bhatt
Posted on Wednesday, 13th of December 2006 Permalink
This morning on The Northern Line Bank Branch I spotted a simple selection of Banksy stencilling. Printed in the space that usually houses adverts for Hair loss, or cheap calls for over seas loved ones was ‘Your Alive’. I don’t know what this is actually referring to but was very ironic nevertheless, as everyone on the morning commute looked far from that.
Vikesh Bhatt
Posted on Thursday, 26th of October 2006 Permalink
This weekend 1 billion people worldwide will be celebrating Diwali “The Festival of Light”. One way that Hindus and Sikhs celebrate the festive season is to decorate the doorways of their houses with elaborate, intricate geometrical patterns called Rangoli as a sign of warmth and hospitality for guests - that are usually bringing some tasty Indian sweets too. Rangoli designs can be made out of virtually anything from petals, rice to the more commonly used coloured layered powders. A happy Diwali from 30gms!
Vikesh Bhatt
Posted on Friday, 20th of October 2006 Permalink
The c.M.O.N.S. are apparently an alternative rock formation out of Barcelona. They are a mixed group with three men (White - drums, Red - bass, Blue - vocals) and two women (Cherrie - guitars, Moo - keyboards). Their last names are a secret. They appear to be like the knitted Rock version of Gorillaz, they dabble in street art, make films and even have their own clothing range, they also have a great website and considering their only lyrics are C’MON, C’MON, C’MON their music ain’t all that bad! listen to 3 of their tracks at MTV’s UNDERTHERADAR.
Dave Brown
Posted on Thursday, 28th of September 2006 Permalink
I am frequently annoyed by one dog in our neighbourhood who persists in playing naughty bingo on my lawn. I’ve thought about getting the George Bush flags out but out here in rural America that might be mistaken as support. Perhaps I should follow Sprinkle Brigade’s lead and dress them up a bit? Scatological!
David Rainbird
Posted on Wednesday, 13th of September 2006 Permalink
While a certain British graffiti artist is grabbing headlines and staging an LA show next month, it’s the quiet ephemeral art of Slinkachu that has caught my eye. His Little People project is a modest intervention – “Little hand-painted people, left in London to fend for themselves.”
David Rainbird
Posted on Tuesday, 12th of September 2006 Permalink
