LA VS WAR - A Real Review

A few days ago, M&F wrote a short review of the upcoming 'LA VS WAR' show. We did it at the request of some artists in the community, although a bit reluctantly, because the thing sounds like a big cluster fuck.

Give it up already and get off the streets~


We have tried to support this show and look the other way, but this show is marketing itself as a street art show at the same time they are disrespecting the streets. LA VS WAR has been going around town capping legitimate street artists with 'marketed' posters which are essentially advertisements. Either they have some agression directed towards the street art community, or they are just clueless. We think they might be clueless . . .

Our open review of the LA VS WAR show is that it doesn't accomplish anything. In no way will this show decrease or diminish 'war' in the world. A lot of people will say about something, "As long as it changes one person's mind, it will be a success!" But this show doesn't even accomplish that-- unless you really think that someone might go to the show and say, "You know, I used to really be in favor of war, but after today, I'm not". Essentially, it is nothing more than a lame circle jerk of something that suggests political activism, but really doesn't accomplish anything.

The purpose of this seems solely to have the event itself. With over 100 artists participating, and almost as many DJ's (really!?), it sounds like a jumbled mess. This is not an event that will attract buyers. Sure, maybe some posters and prints might sell at an event like this, but no pricey artwork will sell. The only real money that seems to be made stands to come from the $5 admission fee that it costs to get in. It seems if someone wants to reach the masses and have a real 'anti-war' experience, they wouldn't charge admission for the revolution. And, we could be mistaken, but from what we have heard none of the admission money or proceeds from the show are planned to be donated towards any anti-war causes. This is not a fund raiser--this is a money earner.

Sure. Of course there are costs involved with hosting an event like this, but there are plenty of ways to host an event without incurring such costs, and more effective ways of sharing an anti-war message with the people. Art is one of the most powerful tools in this world. Recently, political graffiti has been used to spark revolutions in Syria and Libya. This artwork at LA VS WAR doesn't seem to use art to make a statement as much as uses art as a commodity. Of course there are bound to be some brilliant, poignant pieces of art at this show by the individual artists, some networking and some nuggets of wisdom in the teach ins, or what have you, but they are limited to the experience of the people on hand. Anti-war art at an anti-war show is a bit like preaching to the choir, and it seems to sell short the power of what art can do.

We don't want to sound too harsh as we always want to support the artists, and the idea behind this show. But this show is trying to market itself as a street art show, but it is not. When all you do is go around putting up flyers advertising an event, it is not street art. LA VS WAR is just using the streets for advertising without wanting to pay for a billboard. Give it up already, and get off the streets~