Cast & crew

Graffiti Fine Art

Video
2011
36m

IMDb RATING

8.2/10

YOUR RATING

Graffiti is at a crossroads. For over four decades graffiti writers have been roaming urban centers around the globe bombing, tagging and painting their way into society's consciousness. All of this hard work has yielded positive yet confusing results. Graffiti and street art, once two separate entities, have begun to merge attracting audiences usually seen purchasing Picasso's and Rembrandt's. With this new-found audience comes an inevitable slew of contradictions. Graffiti, the ultimate ephemeral art-form is being contorted to static canvases and sterilized exhibition halls. In this moment, the very definition of graffiti is being challenged, questioned and undoubtedly changed. For the graffiti writer, an internal question is brewing about so called 'Graffiti Exhibitions'. Is such a thing even possible? Many argue the second graffiti leaves the street for 'greener pastures' (monetary pun intended), it loses the attitude that made it 'graffiti' in the first place. And there-in lies the problem; is the artwork in a graffiti museum exhibit even graffiti at all? More so, if the art is not graffiti, what are we to call the graffiti writer? These questions were on full display in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 1st Biennial International 'Graffiti Fine Art' exhibition held at the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture (MuBE). With 65 artists from 13 different countries, the exhibition served as the focal point in this worldwide discussion. Artists were questioned about the meaning of 'Graffiti Fine Art' as well as commenting on Sao Paulo's new role as a leader in the graffiti game.

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Graffiti has played a major role in urban identity since its boom in 1970's New York City. Under the cultural umbrella of Hip Hop, graffiti became a form of artistic escapism from the harsh ... Read allGraffiti has played a major role in urban identity since its boom in 1970's New York City. Under the cultural umbrella of Hip Hop, graffiti became a form of artistic escapism from the harsh realities of urban hardship. After 40 years the art-form has begun ascending out of the st... Read allGraffiti has played a major role in urban identity since its boom in 1970's New York City. Under the cultural umbrella of Hip Hop, graffiti became a form of artistic escapism from the harsh realities of urban hardship. After 40 years the art-form has begun ascending out of the street and into the galleries and museums of the world. In this moment of transition, the de... Read all