When we snapped these shots, we were walking the streets with a friend who was not familiar with street art.
These pieces caught our eye as we hadn't seen them before, but our friend remained unimpressed. They said that these look like something that gets hung in a fourth grade classroom.
There is some truth to what our friend had to say, and it brings up an important point. When you put art on the streets, it should be a piece, not a project. And if you can't step it up, you need to give it up~
A famous adage that we have always enjoyed goes something like this, "It is better to sit there with your mouth closed and let everybody think you are a fool, than it is to open it and remove all doubt".
Sure, there is something to be said for getting up. But if you get up with a bunch of junk, it only makes people convinced that you are a poor artist.
We don't mean to be too harsh with this particular piece. It is allright, and there are much worse out there. But the paint application is clearly elementary, and if that were part of the artist's vision, we still might not dig it, but we could understand.
Perhaps that is what is going on here, and if so, it was not made clear. The sloppiness just makes it look like a home art project, not a piece of art for the streets.
If the goal really is to beautify the city of Los Angeles, step it up, or give it up~
half of the stuff on the streets looks like a 4th grader did it.
ReplyDeleteMore than half. But for me that's part of the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteeverybody gets up for there own reasons. some make statements and some mean absolutely nothing, but ill say one thing thats for sure artists DO NOT put up street art to beautify ANYTHING. they do it for recognition and for people to see (a free art gallery) if you want to make things pretty you dont cover them with paper and glue. street art always makes the streets look trashy and urban no matter what the content. i dont care if you post rainbows and flowers (it doesnt beautify anything) it's kinda harsh how you guys cap on certain art and judge every move made on melrose. just let it be and stay positive w/ your blog/posts. seriously though what's really the difference between a piece and a project? and who cares? this post really bugs me
ReplyDeleteoh and you guys shouln't encourage anyone to give up anything. especially art.
ReplyDeleteThat's Ziggy Stardust, man. That shit's sick as fuck! Not sure who did it, but I'd like to know. See, something that is childish with adult content appeals to the masses, not just narrow minded 26 year olds who just found out who Andy Warhol was.
ReplyDeleteStreet art was not meant to go in an art gallery, when the street art "revolution" started, most people just wanted to express themselves in any means. I personally think this piece is really cool and reminds me a bit of Bowie. Now it seems that street art has to impress everyone, but only if your work looks the same as everyone else's. What ever happened to creativity? Everyone respects the big names in LA street art like SepterHead, Bankrupt Slut, X, and Alec, but why? none of any of their art has had much thought put into it. Most of it is just Warhol gone wrong or iconic figures. They should really be thinking of things themselves like the smaller unknown artists who are criticized because their work is original and different from all the remakes out there.
ReplyDeleteI used to encourage people to do art.... I don't do that so much Anymore! - banksy
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge grey area on my mind, street art and graffiti In general is a grey areA! I do agree that littering the streets with nonsense it worthless, but who's the judge on what is nonsense? I think people need to do their own thing with their art, and if it looks like shit ill cap it with something better! But as far as telling people to stay off.the street is stupid too! It's free space and if someone wants to paste a huge Dick and balls on some wall or anything at that matter then more power too you! But when you do street art you have to be ready for harsh judgments about your art along with the good...
Every artist makes 1000 bad pieces before they make a good one!
sturad who gives a fuck if the person is famous? it doesn't mean it should go on the streets.
ReplyDeletethere is too much crap. can we get some quality control?
and its not true that a 4th grader could do this. they would do better
The piece up at the Valero gas station has changed over the last couple of days. First it was just the Ziggy/Bowie face ... now glitter has been added to it. I swear I didn't see glitter on it before. It's like the piece has evolved. Or ... maybe I am just getting old and can't see.
ReplyDeleteThere are no rules to street art, no rules to what can be put up. Plus tons of the big heads in the game put out crap that is made to be marketed to the masses. Its not that hard to sell a stencil of a famous person in bright colors, its called popular art.
ReplyDeleteI feel stupid now for not catching it was Bowie. The two different colored eyes is a dead giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous #3. Thanx for assuming I don't think about my art. That's funny. I am actually flattered to be lumped in with the other names as a big name. But you want to know whats even funnier? Arguing about art.
ReplyDelete