This really interests me as in many cases, the way artwork fits within a given environment and can often be a really cleaver use of media / ideas / concept but the artist / illustrator - automatically creating an engaging piece of artwork and often lends itself to having a deeper meaning / substance within the message being portrayed.
I cannot find the article now, however I once read about how graffiti art and murals are destroying the aesthetic of our cities and architecture - a true case of disrespect by thugs on the streets of our cities.
This really upset me as yes I do not believe that all "tagging" or "graffiti" is in itself it is a true form of considered artwork and yes can be seen as vandalism for sure, especially when seen on beautiful old buildings. However in response to this statement a graffiti artists - leader of the game - and practitioner often commissioned to fill urban spaces with their artwork said something that really hit home to me the problem surrounding freedom of expression within the graffiti - street art movement, saying something along the lines of:
Graffiti and mural art should not always be tarnished with the same brush as tagging and the underground vandalism, thugs, criminal culture on our streets. Often artwork - visual and aesthetically pleasing pieces - can lift a city and cause on lookers to question important issues within society. Graffiti in itself acts as a voice of the people, and this rubbish about destroying the look of architecture is complete nonsense.
If we can allow huge billboards and digitised advertisement screens bombarding us with promotions and pumping us full of propaganda- to hang from Grade A listed buildings without the public consent and yet this be deemed acceptable - then why can't beautiful and impactive piece of street artwork be accepted as well? If its not costing money and making money from members of society - then it isn't acceptable and must "be removed" and be treated as a "criminal" act!? - Its all bollocks and I know what I'd rather see!
Bristol
I took a much needed trip to Bristol to visit a friend last summer, and while I was there my mind was truly blown by the sheer amount of amazing street art here. Street art seems to form an integral part of this culturally creative hub of a city. Every year a central street within the city closes itself off from traffic, or a building gives over the rights to its walls and the arts council invites emerging graffiti, mural and street artists (along with famous musicians, Dj's live speakers and food vendors) to fill the streets in an outdoor community "street-party" style event. Artists and creatives pick a wall and live paint new beautiful pieces on the walls of buildings, high-rises, walls lining roads, roads themselves, bus shelters - anything and everything. The artwork is so well received here that the weekend event is really successful for the city, bringing in many tourists and generating that much needed "community" feel within a busy environment. The artwork remains in place as a public "exhibit" for the year to follow - until artists are once again invited to return for the next years event. A lot of respect is shown here. Pieces are rarely painted over in the year to follow and once the year is up - artists give over the rights to their wall space and art - for the next artist to leave their mark. I would love to get involved and this might be a plan for me and my summer - if i have the confidence to in myself to create live art!
UPFEST!
My photos taken whilst visiting Bristol:
Pinterest board & Research - My collection of street / urban artwork / murals / street installations / sticker artwork that inspire me and have inspired my work so far throughout the course and this module. - Linking directly to my chosen area of context - object & environment:
ThoughtsWhat i find most engaging about this type of artwork is the consideration fro its place within environment as well as the fact that this is art brought to the public and not the other way around. The audience does not have to seek out the artist, already know about them or already have an interest it it and they don't have to pay to go to an exhibition - this work is free and if for anyone to see and become a part of having much more direct impact. Enabling people who would usually be exposed to this kind of creativity an insight into the world or art, design and creativity. Street art has a place and spreads creative love in my opinion, helping to build a larger creative community, industry and culture. It also injects a little shot of interest into the usual, normal and mundane.
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