It is interesting that graffiti has been around for years and
slowly, very slowly, is becoming an acceptable use of communication especially for advertising purposes from music labels, business's and fashion designers. A new form of subliminal messaging perhaps?
In answer to a question about people who think he is a vandal he replies with a very relevant argument. he upholds the belief that he is no more a vandal than the advertising companies that are pushing their adverts more and more into consumers lives. What is the difference between a brands logos being pushed in our faces every day and his artwork on display?
He does use some of the legal designated graffiti spaces but
his desire to use trains as his canvas comes from inspiration at childhood, the amazement that his art would travel the world on the side of a train and be seen by thousands. this is the same principle that underlays any media in advertising, what media shall we use if want a thousand people to see it?
Although i agree that graffiti involves trespassing and de-facing, i find his inspiration has depth and passion. on the topic of inspiration he had this to say: "Writing is all about the real world. Things just catch my eye: the shape of an object from a certain angle; the line of a building. I love being able to fit a piece perfectly where no one thought you could put letters before."
The ability to describe something that you see so vividly in words that your audience can see it too, was what always drew me to writing when i was younger. Is this graffiti a new mix of copywriting and typography on a different type of media?
He says his work and others that do the same, is about breaking the conformity we live in and having that little piece of freedom for a while. if advertising companies are jumping in on this media, will that destroy the meaning behind it?
So is graffiti art the new written word?
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