Street Art
From GRPLpedia
Contents |
Street Art: What is it?
Street art is any artwork that is done in a public place, or 'out on the street' as it where. Street Art is unsanctioned and often has some form of social commentary. Street artists know their work is most likely a temporary piece and choose to create it as a statement. The most common form of street art is graffiti art, but it has also come in the form of chalk drawings, performance, plastic bag sculptures, street installations, flash mobs, and various other forms of art.
Forms of Street Art
|
|
|
Bansky
One of the most well know street artists of today and know one even knows his real name. Banksy is a street artist who uses graffiti stencils to create often humorous and/or political pieces of artwork all around the world. If you have seen an anarchist rat on the side of the building, you've mostly likely seen a piece by Banksy. More notable is the fact he graffitied the Israeli West Bank Barrier and wrote a 7 ft sign proclaiming 'Were bored of fish' in the penguin inclosure at the London Zoo. However his antics are not limited to the sides of buildings.
In 2006 Banksy, with the assistance of Danger Mouse replaced the original album artwork of Paris Hilton's debut album with their own versions in music stores across Britain. The new art featured phrases such as "Why Am I Famous?", "What Have I Done?", and "What Am I For?". The inside cover art depicted Hilton with a dog's head. If one managed to purchase the cd you would find a 40 minute instrumental with various Paris Hilton statements.
Bansky is also know for placing his own art, framed up on the walls of famous art galleries and museums (one of which a Mona Lisa replica with a smiley face). He also dressed a blow up doll in the a Guantanamo Bay prison uniform and placed it in Disneyland's Thunder Mountain Railroad Ride.
Also check out Exit Through the Gift Shop a documentary about an eccentric French shopkeeper attempts to find and befriend Banksy.
Swoon
Less secretive (and controversial) than Banksy, Swoon's real name is Caledonia “Callie” Dance Curry. Swoon is know for her wheatpasting prints and cut outs of figures and is part of the Justseeds artist Cooperative. Swoon is more active in the traditional art world, having done workshops and shown with MOMA. Swoon is also a founding member of the Miss Rockaway Armada.
Fauxreel
Fauxreel, also know as Dan Bergeron, is best know for his 'Rosie, will you marry me' Donald Trump billboards which were up during the celebrity's feud. A Toronto artist he has also wheatpasted many photographs of individuals on the buildings and doors. Notable works include his project involving the issues of vagrancy, gender identity, and his controversial Vespa head campaign.
More Street Artist
- Above -- A street artist who's been at it since 1995 and still keeps their identity secret.
- Blek le Rat -- French artist Xavier Prou, the “Father of Stencil Graffiti."
- Blu -- Another street artist with a secret identity.
- Invander -- French street artist who pastes up characters from (or inspired) by the space Invaders video Game.
- Joshua Allen Harris -- Using sewer grates to inflate them, Harris creates plastic bag animals and monsters.
- Robbo -- English graffiti artist.
- Shepard Fairey -- Creator of OBEY Giant and the Obama "Hope" poster.
