Street Art: Faif!

There is little known about street artist Faif, apart from he is from Barcelona, a man and has great skills with a graffiti can. Not only does he have great skills but, potentially more importantly, he has a distinctive style and a great way of looking at the world. It's not too often that I upload street art up here, there's just so much it's often hard to keep up with. But Faif's cheeky take on the world and street art really stood out to me. Though maybe making similar points as the one and only Banksy, he's clearly not taking anything too seriously. The best way to be.

Art In The Streets: Graffiti's Importance.

Over the past couple of years I've become a really interested and intrigued by street art and the world that goes along with it. And no I don't have a Banksy print on a tshirt or up on my wall.

There are so many aspects of graffiti and street art that it's hard to restrict the reasons as to why I like it so. It is so diverse. The pure aesthetic, technical skill, the social commentary or just the ingenuity of it all fascinate me. It really is hard to deny graffiti's place in society nowadays. Whether it be Shepard Fairey's appearance in The Simpsons, or him designing Obama's election poster, or Banksy's Exit Through The Giftshop film and the millions he has earned, or David Choe who's mural at Facebook is set to become the most expensive piece of art ever at £126m. It's everywhere. It's so influential. It's so important. Yet it's still so frowned upon. The trivial 'vandalism' argument is becoming less valid, yet it is still an argument that is sending some of the most lauded, famous and richest street artists to jail. But this is part of it for them. It shows the dedication, commitment and inhibited passion they have for their art. And yes, Mr Judge, it is art. I defy anyone to call it anything else.

Below is a brilliant documentary from behind the scene's of LA's MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) exhibition - Art In The Streets, America's first professional and organised graffiti exhibition in a museum. Learn from the curators, documenters such as Martha Cooper and the artists themselves as to why graffiti is so important to our society and needs to be encouraged and nurtured, not victimised and judged.

Here Comes The Neighborhood: Ep 4 & 5.

As I said in the last post, I'd update with the latest episodes of Here Comes The Neighborhood.



Quick catch-up: part of Miami that has become run down and desperate became the focus of a new art project and became The Wynwood Walls. Graffiti artists came from all over the world to do what they do best, make some art that makes people notice and makes a difference. Each episode is full of rich colours, thought-provoking words and just incredible paintings. Enjoy.

Here Comes The Neighborhood

I am a firm believer that graffiti is one of the most relatable and appealing art forms in today's culture. Whilst so much art seems unattainable being sold for millions in places that don't allow those wearing trainers through the door, graffiti breeds and thrives right on your door. I'm far from an art expert, but that is exactly my point, how is it possible to relate or appreciate the flicks of paint or squares on a canvas by some guy who is very 'in'?
It's lost on me.
Now don't get me wrong, art manifests itself in many forms, film, music, design, photography, the list goes on. But in this instance I'm speaking about the more 'traditional' form, paint on a canvas. And graffiti is just that. Though the canvas maybe the side of a shop and the paint maybe from a can, it's still inspiring to look at, it's something that can definitely be appreciated by many (apart from the council) and it just brightens the place up.
This is where Here Comes The Neighborhood comes in: In the first episode of HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD the stage is set for the Wynwood Arts District. Parking lots, loading docks and factory walls are transformed into “The Wynwood Walls”. Founder Tony Goldman explains his vision for a town center, while Jeffrey Deitch, Arts Manager Meghan Coleman and Co-Curator Medvin Sobio offer their insight into the project’s significance, taking us into the present day expansion. In addition, Photographer Martha Cooper and Miami based Mural Project Primary Flight weigh in.



Here Comes The Neighborhood is a project with so many benefits. It brightens up an area that desperatly needs it - both visually and mentally, it keeps a place for artists to come together, express themselves and colloborate and it provides us, me, you something to watch and explore. It is a credit to the both those involved in getting the project off the ground, as well as the artists themselves getting involved. I'd love to see this project taken to other cities around the world, I can't think of many who would complain.

I will update with further episodes, but here's 2 and 3, featuring artists Gala and Kenny Scharf:

A Sunday In East London.

East London is getting a bad reputation these days, and it's safe to say that shows like the upcoming The Only Way Is Dalson, is going to help. There's no doubt that the Shoreditch/Brick Lane area is full of hipsters and just general try hards, but equally, it is full of art and culture, and that is something that should definitely be embraced rather than shunned.

I've dipped in and out of East London, however last Sunday I had a bit more of an exploration, visiting Spitalfields market, Brick Lane market and the beautiful Columbia Road flower market where everything is 'laavley' or '4 for a fivvar'. As you squeeze and shove between a mixture of locals and tourists you bounce between countless stalls featuring vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, real fur coats, art and food from each corner of the world. You really get the feeling that each time you go there you're going to discover something new, whether it just be a new stall of t-shirts, a new musical talent or a spot of graffiti. Speaking of the latter, you can see below some examples that brightened up the streets, made people stop and stare and whip out their phones (guilty) to take a snap, now how can something that adds so much be deemed illegal?

Just a couple of hours later...

I hope to make my visits a bit more frequent and explorations a bit deeper in the near and distant future.

Palladium Boots: Tokyo Rising W/ Pharrell Williams [Full]

You've seen the trailer, now it's time for the full documentary. Walk with Pharrell Williams as he talks to some of Toyko's most influential and innovative creatives as he discovers their reaction the earthquake that triggered the Fukushima Nuclear Powerplant disaster, 3-11 as they call it. Whether it be a protest, graffiti or just the general notion that this is an opportunity to start a fresh for the country, each creative has belief that Japanese people's resilience can over come this. This videos also approach the importance of Japanese creating their own culture, how it originated from copying Western society, but they got it wrong and when over the top, creating their own vision of society. It is an inspiring watch as people are keen to talk about the devistating effects 3-11 had on themselves, their community and their country, but they are more keen to speak about how they will overcome it and benefit. Watch:

Perseverance: REVOK X RIME X ROID

This short film entitled Perseverance follows street artist REVOK, along with cameos from RIME and ROID, as they do what they do best. I love the composition of this video, it allows the viewer to see the artists do their work, but also all the little added extras that go with it. Whether it is sorting spray cans or just mooning a pleasure boat. The music choice and graceful filming gives an all-American triumphant and nostalgic feel to their work. Nice.

Outside In: Art vs Law.

Ever since the first person decided to get a can and spray their tag, a word or picture onto a piece of public property, the question has always been asked 'is graffiti an art or a crime?'. Well it's both. But it's a crime that allows people the freedom of expression in a physical and public way, one that even the internet cannot always provide. It's a crime that can make people think, appreciate or even challenge themselves and culture's values (Banksy is the number one example in this). And sometimes it's just simply some art that brightens up a neighborhood, turning some grey old wall into something beautiful. Surely there's no harm in any of this?



This Outside In documentary looks to explore the idea that if graffiti is done on a canvas and put between four walls, is it suddenly legal and acceptable? And does it still have the same artistic value and potency it may have had on the outside world? As one guy remarks, "everyone in there has been arrested for graffiti". Exhibitions like this look to be a sign that the authorities and general society are beginning to appreciate what is a truly magnificent and talented art-form, even if it is on their own terms.

Pow. WOW: Art Makes The World Go Around.

This is a seriously cool (yes I use that word far too much on my blog) art project from Pow Wow. Pow Wow is a collabrative effort from a group of different artists from all over the world who will join forces to effectively put on a show. The range of art on display is vast, but it is all immense and each piece stands toe to toe with the next.



As you can see the latest Pow Wow episode takes the artists to Hawaii, the home of founder Jasper Wong. During the entire process the public were allowed to wonder around and see the formation of the pieces and not simply the end product. The video also gets insights to the artists, their pieces and their influences, from their kids' drawings to the Queens peacocks. Really cool (sorry).


Art Makes The World Go Around.