Art Leaks
Talk about history!
In Pompeii, Italian historians are excavating ancient ruins and graffiti are popping up everywhere. Here graffiti, means traditional inscribed writing (because the word graffiti comes from Italian graffiare, to scratch). The messages are as contemporary as they can get. For instance, “Rufio painted this”, “Satura was here on September 3rd”, “Cruel Lalagus, why do you not love me”, “ If you don´t believe in Venus, gaze at my girlfriend” and more. I guess the graffiti and vandalism that is practiced today should be considered a contemporary adaptation of the traditional, better yet, an ancient form of art??
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.
Croatia’s first ever…
| Croatian graffiti scene gathered and published for the first time as Blackbook Croatia! When traveling is not on your side turn to books, yeah! |
The art of buffing?
| Now this is niche. Matt McCormick’s short film “the subconscious art of graffiti removal“ is dedicated to buffing. Actually, the documentary, rather than “removing” focuses on masking tags, where many times mean covering them up. Leaving the footprints of the graffiti completely visible and questionable if covering up was better for the aesthetics. Eventually, the narrator quite surprisingly starts to compare historical artists with these removals and takes an analytical approach to these buffs. Interesting… |
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. |
Graff Leaks
Skinny Cap
For those doing legal graffiti work, the skinny cap is the top choice. In the Hall of Fame, when you’ve got more time, these are the most popular. They provide a thin, precise line and tend to use less spray paint. Give it a try and see the difference!
Gloves
Gloves are a trusted companion for any self-respecting writer! They ensure that there are no paint traces left on the hands in case of any mishaps. Lately, there have been new types available in the market that offer better grip to the spray can, available both in disposable and multiple-use versions!
wallpaint
One of the key tools for writers aiming for stylish wall art is undoubtedly the base layer of paint! This foundation allows spray paints to adhere better to the wall, preventing unnecessary waste. Moreover, a consistent base layer certainly helps the artwork stand out against the wall! Try it to believe it!
Mop
The Mop is one of the writers’ most favored markers, but it’s also one of the most delicate to use! It’s characterized by a super solid line and often has stylish drips. However, the tip is very delicate and should be used only on very smooth surfaces!
Color Trips Italy
“Color Trips Italy” is now live on Spraydaily’s YouTube channel! The video takes us to Italy with the GTS crew, showcasing all the actions from their holiday in the “beautiful country,” including some cool moves on the most loved regional trains! In short, it’s a must-watch video!
Wholetrain
Wholetrain: Toughest trainbombing move. Cover the whole train, no blanks. Hard execution, time-consuming. Letters can be tricky due to length. Power move: Combine wholecars with different writers.
No Cops no stress
“No Cops No Stress” – the fresh video dropped by the Spanish blog System Boys takes us straight to Turkey! From Istanbul to Ankara, and even Bursa, a crew of writers, including the renowned Mone, deliver epic metro and train actions from the area
Wholecar
Wholecar: Huge piece or a combo of many, covering the entire train. No blanks left, it’s the piece plus the background, all over that ride. Ladder often needed ’cause spots get tricky. Not for everyone, takes serious skills!
FY in Stockholm
he fresh NcFormula video just dropped! This time, it’s all about FY, and in this clip, they’re tearing up the streets of Stockholm! Get ready for a full 22 minutes of metro, train, and even tram action across the Swedish city. This one’s a definite must-watch – don’t sleep on it!
Top to Bottom
The Top To Bottom, aka T2B. You hit up a train or subway car from head to toe, covering the whole height, but keeping the sides empty, like, no paint there! Sometimes, the outlines on top might be missing for practicality’s sake. So, grab that ladder, your freshest colors, and a boatload of patience!
Phibs on the Rails
Renowned Aussie writer Phibs teamed up with Montana Colors Australia for their fresh video drop! He’s in action painting a stunning freight train with one of his most colorful masterpieces. This action is a must-watch!
End 2 End
End 2 End, or E2E, is all about a lineup of pieces by multiple writers or just one, connecting across the whole train’s width along with the background. Often, these writers work together using coordinated colors for a super smooth and visually stunning result. Remember, the eyes gotta love it too!
New That’s Amore Magazine
That’s Amore Magazine did it again! The latest edition of the highly sought-after Pocket magazine dropped! Filled with lots of metal, along with plenty of wall bombing and other surfaces. And of course, there are many special features on both commercial and private train lines, making it a must-read for graffiti enthusiasts!
BackGround
In the graffiti game, the background might not always steal the show, but guess what? Sometimes, it’s that little extra something that takes your piece to the next level! You got options, from basic bubble fills to those super intricate joints with epic landscapes and mind-bending gradients. So, set your imagination loose, let those creative juices flow, and give your piece the backdrop it deserves!
Nice Surprise Festival
The Nice Surprise Festival has surprised everyone! This year, in addition to the usual mural walls, they painted a regional train! All of this was done by renowned artists like Sofles, Smug, Norse, and Millianas! A real bombshell!