Graffiti News & Blog

I was recently notified of a graffiti art project in Times Square featuring a mural made by artists sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts.  The mural is a picture of the NYC skyline with a large Dunkin Donuts coffee cup in the center.

I’ll be honest, my first impression was that the work was blatant advertising without much g-art value.  Particularly  if you grab some serious artists, I wanna see them and their creativity set free.  Secondly, this piece doesn’t look like graffiti art when you would see it in Times Square (particularly when you could see the real deal in the same neighborhood).  So, my initial reaction was not very excited.

However, my second thought was … something along the lines of … Hell Yeah and  Thank you D-Donuts!!!  Here’s why.

1.  D-Donuts would put up an advertisement in Times Square whether it was this piece or not.  This time, they let real g-artists work on their ad.  Period.  They could go to any of the thousands of design studios in the city instead of street artists.  But they didn’t.  I have to believe the corporate money is flowing to g-artists this time.  Anytime corporations recognize the art that is a critical to the culture of the city (NYC), and want to support it financially, I am a fan.  A Big fan.

2.  D-Donuts is NOT trying to play up some sort of “street cred” they get by using graff artists … as far as I can tell.   It’s coffee … in a painting made by some serious artists.  Nothing more.

3.  Most importantly … see number 1.

Graffiti artists are true artists that convey true complexity, depth, and unique character that is comparable to many artists that are in museums today.  I love to see corporations recognize this truth and support those artists.

Peace.

I got a heads up from Flash of the ABC Crew out of Chicago about a show on April 16th.  Short lead time, but if you’re anywhere near Chicago, this would be a great Graffiti Art show to check out and purchase some of their works!!!

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Even Odds is a collaboration show of Graffiti artists in the Chi-Town area who are still involved in the community they love. These artists have been involved in bringing their unique form of art to the masses.   They’ll be showcasing affordable pieces by each artist. Each artist will have on display pieces of their artwork showing the traditional methods that they used in the streets.

Chumbly: A southside artist who loves to collaborate with youths. Runs walls on 25 and St Louis and 23 and Avers were artist come to test theirs skills on metal fences.

Flash: Raised in Logan Square. Has displayed work in LA and Chicago. Involved in Cooperative Image Group. Massive photography collection on Chicago graffiti.

KLTA: One of the first artist to go all city with his unique swirls and dashes.

Loveone:  An uptown artist who has completed a mural along the redline with kids and his wife Lea.
Rome:  Has displayed work in L.A. and New York. Has also been a judge for the Estria graffiti battles,

Statik:  One of the most complete artist to bring what he paints on the wall to canvass.

Teel:  Done shows In New York, Florida, Paris and France. Is considered also one of the bigest influence on graff as we know it today cause of the things he has taught his crew and the things they done with the knowledge he has given them

Uneek:  UneeK DesigN is the culmination of a Writer serving life as a Carpenter, blending art with woodworking to create furniture, home accents and various works of art. Uneek works closely with local artists on design and fabrication of custom frames with each artists individuality in mind

Step 1:  An original Chicago artist who started doing graffiti in 1992. His versatile work is wrapped around human rights and social justice issues.

http://www.artisticbombingcrew.com/
http://www.chicagograffiti.com/forums/
http://theblog.momentumarttech.com/
http://www.romewon.com/
http://www.statikone.net/
http://hugostyle.com/

Nice interview with Kaws.

From our friends at Streetfiles.org who just signed with Montana Colors.  Congrats and great work!