1/26 Find your passion, its bombed up on the wall!

  Today in class we all (who were in attendance) watched the film Bomb It, a documentary about graffiti art around the world. A very interesting film indeed, and very eye opening about the culture that surrounds graffiti and graffiti artists. I have, before watching the film had some sort of idea of the impact and ideologies that go behind graffiti, but this film definitely put to rest any unconfirmed notions I had about urban art, and the people who produce it.

 

  In one aspect, it’s a way to voice an opinion, that if said in public, can have grave consequences. Capetown for instance, their graffiti sprung up from political issues. Men and women were stifled in their attempts to voice their opinion, so to say what they felt they needed to say, did it anonymously via bombing (graffiti). From there it formed into its own culture, to bring life to the dull, dilapidating town.

  As one of the artists said in the film, graffiti “Fills the vacuum with art.” In today’s urban societies, All there is to see is buildings and advertisements. There is no eccentricity, and artists “fill” the empty dull space with elaborate art pieces. The people who frown upon the art can’t see or appreciate what it is these artists do for them and society.

  A common issue with many of the artists that were interviewed, was their art was a reflection of what was wrong in society, or the social injustices many have to endure. Going back to the paragraph about Capetown, their start in graffiti was a way to have their voice be heard, or better yet, read by all in society. They produce art with a message that no one wants to say, but everyone needs to hear. It is an expressive form of defiance, and in most cases to identify, recognize and inform the public of the problems many face in today’s urban areas. As one of the artists in Brazil stated, it’s a form of “Urban Intervention”, trying to bring fairness to unjust systems.

Another common point a majority of the artists had in common, and something I can identify with, was the deep meaning and purpose of their art. All of them had elaborate back stories to explain why they produce what they do, what colors represent, and even the location has meaning. To most of them, its not just a decision on impulse. It takes great dedication to actually think so deeply about something and put everything on the line to produce that vision onto a public place. It is obvious that these artists love what they do, and are very, deeply passionate about it.

One quote from the movie that grabbed my attention was said by the female artist from Amsterdam. She stated, “Graffiti is like playing… adults have lost the will to play.” She has a very amazing point! As children, playing and being expressive was a common thing. Drawing on the walls with chalk was something I remember doing a lot as a child. While not all adults feel the need nor should they pick up graffiti, but the point remains that as we age, we lose our ability, or willingly give up our expressive sides and replace it with commercialism. We expect others to provide art to us.. but only with a price tag! We as adults have lost our will to play. Graffiti artists do have the will to play, and do so expressively on the walls for everyone to see.

The one main point that every artist around the world that was interviewed, and in my eyes, a very important message the film had to say about graffiti and graffiti artists, was that most said that graffiti “Isn’t something you do, it’s a way of life”. As Professor Zucman would say, these artists “own” it. Its their passion. It’s something they live for day in and out. It’s what excites them. It’s what motivates them to get up every morning. This one thing is what these people have that most in the world lack today. Passion about something. And not just passion about something, they actually live the passion. Paraphrasing Professor Zucman again; when he was giving the example of watching Kobe Bryant play basketball isn’t the same as getting off the couch and playing basketball. These artists walk the walk, get up off the couch and immerse themselves in their passion for art. Art really is about passion, being immersed completely in its culture and living it day to day.

The best quote from the film (in my eyes), was from the group of Parisians putting a spin on Descartes infamous quote, saying “I tag, therefore I am.” To me this was the most important thing said because it explains everything. To me, Descartes original quote “I think, therefore I am” means since I am aware of my ability to think, I exist, I am here, now. It gives validity to your existence. Without graffiti, none of these people would exist, at least in the artistic sense. The fact that there are people out there willing to display their passions on the wall for everyone, gives them validity. It gives them purpose, their place in the world. These are people with deep passions about life and everything that life entails and have the drive to share that passion with the world. If only one person takes a look at thier work, and it makes them think differently about something, puts a new twist on an old idea or just puts a smile on someones face, the artist therefore exists, and his/her sole purpose was achieved, to bring culture to a problematic world.

P.S. If you haven't taken a look at the book titled "Banksy - Wall and Piece", do yourself a favor, and pick it up. Mirror shots ftw!