Art Leaks
SHUTTERS
Recently in London, UK there was an exhibition of shutters painted by artists for the occasion. Could some gallery gather the actual pieces of old shutters off the streets with the writers’ tags and throwies? Now that would be even more cool!
Graffiti coz we care
| In Kofele, Ethiopia researchers and artists have teamed up with the help of organizations to create a “plant graffiti”. A tree nursery in the shape of a lion. The green national animal will be visible from space (and hopefully via earth’s aerial image capturing softwares) and is aimed to sensitise/ tackle climate change and promote Oromo Culture (the region where the graffiti is located). True public art by the public for the public. |
MARTHA COOPER
The mother of graffiti, a living legend, the documentary photographer who spread to the world the graffiti hip hop movement: Martha Cooper. It wouldn’t be an overstatement if we said that nearly all the writers and street artists we know today do what they do thanks to her. In the 70s, a then insular underground movement was documented by her, which lead to co-publish (with Henry Chalfant) the graffiti bible: Subway Art.
Bursting Urban
Urban Spree in Berlin, Germany is the hub of urban creativity. Gallery, artists’ residencies, gift shop, foot court, concert hall and many temporary activities/ events take place. What happens in the 1700m² space is organic, independent spirited, and true. Admission is free so wander through the Urban Spree and get a taste of German urban art.
New York!
NY, the birth place of graffiti has an awesome attitude. A writer was tagging a water tower and the police deployed an entire army, OK not really but a dozen police officers to catch him. Followed by an hours-long stand off even a chopper was called in. The neighbours commented “So much police for such a trivial thing” and “Total misuse of police force”. The next day a lady even let the writer in her house so he could take a pic of the piece, adding “a nice touch for the neighbourhood”. Go NY!
Unofficial Banksy
A Banksy exhibition was called off as it didn’t contain enough authentic works of the artist. First of all, Banksy has stated that many exhibitions around the world are un-official without his consent. Second, the exhibition had many recreations and due to the massive complaints by the visitors the organizers were cornered to refund them. Very funny.
A wall for all!
Another report on harm reduction for graffiti. In Massachusetts, USA, this so called Graffiti Alley which is about 24 m long is for free of use for all writers, except when the nearby shop is open and other certain hours. Making the wall a tourist landmark for people to visit to see the graffs and the writers at work. So cool and respectful!
I do
Oh this is something new. According the Philadelphia Magazine, in the same city in USA, a couple had their engagement photos taken in an abandoned graffiti filled train. Too cool to be true!
A wall for everybody
| Speaking of harm reducing approach, landlord Lien in Regina, Canada had a long persistent thorny problem of unwanted graffiti on his building so instead he decided to offer a wall to everybody without questions. “No hate speech, no gang tags, no racism. I tell everyone keep it positive. Make a plan and do something you are proud of.” says Lien. |
The future of vandalism
| Augmented reality (AR) technologies develop and tech giants are racing towards AR glasses and other products that render them closer to our everyday lives. Propelled by the advancement in crafty tracking and publicity technologies we may only be a decade away (or not even) from seeing AR adverts on the streets and building without any visors or devices. As the augmented world becomes a more and more “concrete” reality vandals may start getting their hands on walls and buildings in the digital world as for now no regulations exist. Landlords may soon have to face deal with graffiti buffing in the real world AND in the augmented world. |
Vandalism and Graffiti
| Offensive vandalism is NOT graffiti. Writers don’t go spreading messages of hatred, but they do it to spread their names via their works anonymously (and the kick of course) . An absolute no no to write on religious buildings and historical monuments! Oh and let’s not forget pure graffiti is illegal and when they are legal they are considered street art. |
PIECE
a completed work that has more than 3 colors (so not tags or throwies). It can also mean a masterpiece.
Heavy duty graffiti
| Wow, now this is something new. Excavators, power shovels, dump trucks and other heavy construction equipment get vamped up with graffiti. A project by Shinko Heavy Equipment and Constructions Company based in Shizuoka Japan offers heavy duty canvases and space to exhibit the finished works. When president Mr. Kobayashi inevitably faced more hours in his company office due to the pandemic he thought of revitalizing the neighborhood by vibrant graffiti and murals he had seen in other parts of Japan and abroad. |
Fill
| The inside area of letters that are “filled in” with colors as opposed to outlines. |
Harasho!
| From Russia with graffiti love! The Moscow Metro is celebrating its 86th birthday with legally painted graffiti train by local artists. The train will be in service until September and it will be up to the people to decide how they will be used. A wonderful initiative to support art in all forms, ain’t it!? |
Graff Leaks
Throwup
A throw up or a flop is the gateway to bombing. It is the evolution of a tag in thick letters in a softie version. Normally the strokes are quicker than a normal piece, and sometimes it can also be a one line, single stroked. Most of the times only some of the letters of a tag is written, usually the first two.
Metal Lovers New Video
One of the most waited video has dropped on Spraydaily’s Youtube! Metal Lovers is the Italian crew MLS’s new video. In the footage you’ll witness tons of train rolling and action you just can’t miss. Most of then are whole-cars and top-to-bottom! Now head to that channel!
1UP Short Movie
After some time since the release of the book by 1UP in collaboration with Martha Cooper and Ninja K, the famous German crew has decided to publish on their YouTube channel a short film that documents the footages that lead them to making that book! A concentrate of adrenalin you just can’t miss or what!? What are you waiting for!?
BONNIE AND CLYDE
Dubbed the Bonnie and Clyde of graffiti: Utah and Ether. These writers from the United States have tagged trains and buildings in over 30 countries. Some of their most adrenalin pumping bombings are definitely the Probation Vacation series, featuring their trips to countries in Asia. As the name is self-explanatory, they left their native country to go on a vacation from their probation (which was a sentence for their previous vandalic acts, naturally). The paths they take to reach those spots are just meticulously insane and make you lose your breath.
LUXURY X VANDALISM
SO, we’re sure that all of you have at least heard about the Balenciaga AD campaign that implies child pornography, right? The Spanish luxury brand is being sacked from all directions at the moment. Here is where the vandalism community comes in. An activist vandalised their flagship store in London, UK, daubing the store windows with the words that penalize their collection’s promotion: “PEDOPHILIA”.
Brandalize!
Artist Banksy has accused GUESS for using his works for a capsule collection without his permission. He posted on his channels encouraging shoplifters to do the same thing to GUESS. Leading the flagship store in Regent street London, UK to temporarily close down.
…and it doesn’t stop here. Some are even pointing out that Banksy has done the same to another artist what the US fashion brand did to him…and that all this is marketing… : /
City Cleanup Corps
To combat the graffiti “issue”, New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he will hire 10,000 people for his new cleaning program: City Cleanup Corps. New Yorkers, soon it will be full of new spots.
The fun in writing…
Some while ago, at the birth place of graffiti New York, USA, the Police Benevolent Association of Police Officers posted a tweet about a whole train (an entire train covered in graffiti). Despite their bitterness towards the multiple end to ends (a wagon filled with graffiti from beginning to the end) the New Yorkers seemed quite pleased about it. Some even said that the City should officially employ writers to paint on trains, but that just takes all the fun out of writing doesn’t it??
The price of writing…
What is the highest price you can pay for vandalism? Ending up in jail? Paying a hefty fine? Serving community service? None of them….it’s buffing your own pieces…under the supervision of your MOM. This is what exactly happened to a 16 year old in Louisiana, USA. Our thoughts are with you dear teen vandal.
Call them billboard spot consultants
On the national highway in the UK several safety message graffiti have appeared on bridges such as: “keep left unless overtaking”, “don’t drink and drive”, editorial favorites are “Why are you a middle lane moron?” and “Hey you, middle lane moron, get over” (remember in the UK you drive on the left?). Even though these vandalistic posts were welcomed by the highway users, since they caught TOO much attention and could have lead to accidents they were removed. Just another anecdote that vandals are the authentic experts in finding the most eye catching surfaces. You’re welcome for the free billboard spot consulting by our fellow vandals.
And the winners are….
The #MTNXVANDALEAK contest has come to an end…and the lucky prize draw winners are…@enser129, @misterhir, @skepticisme, @_B3gone_ !!!!!
Thanks to everybody who participated, and last but not least the one and only MONTANA COLORS!! Keep on writing to all vandals!!!!
BLACKBOOK
The Blackbook is a writer’s marker, spray, cap or whatever essential tool to be one. It is that vital as one keeps everything there. From practicing their tag to sketching a masterpiece. An album where they can see how they have progressed through time. Blackbooks are also often exchanged between vandals to record each others’ graffs.
A graphic documentary of a graffiti writer.
EXTRA! EXTRA! #MTNXVANDALEAK CONTEST
We are extending the MTN X VANDALEAK Contest till the 14th March! So share those Vandaleak trains!! Wooohoooo
#MTNXVANDALEAK CONTEST!
VANDALEAK: the one and only place where a digital vandal can live the real graffiti experience has teamed up with world’s leading spray paint brand Montana Colors for the MTN X Vandaleak Contest!
Use the MTNXVANDALEAK coupon to gain 1000 credits for free, gear up your backpack from STORE, paint your name on a Vandaleak train from BOMBING, make sure to take a picture. From GALLERY choose the graff pic and select the MTN logo button to share on your instagram including the #MTNXVANDALEAK hashtag to participate in the contest. You can participate as many times as you want!
Simple as that!
4 lucky winners of the draw will receive a Montana Colors products pack and Vandaleak credits.
Contest runs until March 5th! Now get up and writing!
Writing in times of a pandemic
| Just like Auckland, New Zealand, Philadelphia, USA has witnessed a soar in graffiti and tags since the beginning of the pandemic with a nearly 20% rise in request for graffiti removal. Officials from the community encouraged writers to take part in a public mural program, but it’s just not the same!!! |