Street Art

115 Pages·2017·192.777 MB·English

by  Ed Bartlett

St reet Ar t
Ed Bartlett
Artist: PichiAvo for Upfest, 2016
Photo: Colin Rayner Location: Masonic
Pub, 112 North Street, Bristol, UK
Contents
Foreword 5 Los Angeles 82 Festivals 158
Introduction 6 Miami 88 Murals in the Market 158
New York 92 POW! WOW! 162
Europe 8 Interview / FAILE 98 MURAL Festival 166
2 3
Amsterdam 8 San Francisco 100 Forest for the Trees 170
Athens 14 Toronto 104 Upfest 174
Barcelona 20 Traffic Design Festival 178
Latin America 110
Berlin 26 Artscape 182
Copenhagen 32 Buenos Aires 110 Grenoble Street Art Fest 186
Dublin 36 Mexico City 114 BLOOP 190
Kyiv 42 Sao Paulo 120 Nuart 194
Lisbon 46 Interview / Nunca 124 Interview / Martyn Reed 198
Interview / Vhils 52 Cash, Cans & Candy 200
London 54 Rest of the World 126 St+art Festival 204
Paris 58 Adelaide 126 HKwalls 208
Interview / Blek le Rat 64 Christchurch 130 MB6: Street Art 212
Reykjavík 66 George Town 136 PUBLIC 216
Rome 72 Istanbul 142
Thanks 221
Johannesburg 146
North America 78 Index 222
Interview / Faith47 150
Chicago 78 Melbourne 152
‘It’s not the word “graffiti” that bothers
me, it just doesn’t accurately explain
the entire story.’ – Futura 2000
Foreword
by Remi Rough
I started painting walls in 1984. I the time, and it ignited a passion forming collectives and curating
was sucked into hip-hop culture for painting bigger walls that still their own grandiose projects, and
when it was at its most prominent excites me today. an increasing number of dedicated
in Europe, and graffiti played a huge My focus began to shift from street art festivals were attracting
part in the attraction. It began with traditional graffiti about 11 years ago artists and fans to interesting
a boy at school bringing in a book when I started exploring abstraction locations around the world. I was
called Subway Art, which had a much in art, and thinking about how once even flown out to the Gambian
greater impact on me than anything I could take my work in a more jungle to paint mud huts for the Wide
4 5
I was learning in class. contemporary direction. At the Open Walls project.
The scene blossomed in London same time the landscape was also Fast-forward to today and it’s hard
at the perfect time – Thatcherite changing dramatically – street art to find a city that doesn’t have some
Britain was a mess. London was a was becoming ever more popular kind of organised mural programme.
rough city to grow up in during the and specialist galleries started Purists might argue that street art
early 1980s, but graffiti gave us a popping up all around the world, has all gone a bit ‘mainstream’, but it
voice in much the same way it did bringing it indoors and into people’s has become an intrinsic part of the
for the kids in the bankrupt and homes. The market for screen prints cultural fabric of our cities. Street art
broken New York of the late 1970s. exploded and artists previously has added something very special
Few people recognise that graffiti is known only for their street work to our urban landscapes, and books
the only art movement in history were suddenly having sold-out such as this one only help to cement
to be conceived and taken forward exhibitions, with hundreds of people the impact of the movement.
essentially by kids. I am very proud cramming into each opening. I think As long as the artists and
to be considered part of that legacy. most people knew that they were organisers continue to respect
The first really big wall I painted witnessing the birth of an exciting their environments – and most
was in West London in 1999 – a new scene. importantly the communities within
commission piece for a computer That feeling was rubber-stamped them – the future of street art can
McMahon gstaomreeyss c homighp,a bnuyt. Iitt wfealts goinnloyr mthoruees, wa mheanjo trh eex Thaitbei tMioond deerdni coartgeadn tisoe d only get brighter.
© Stephanie aanftde ri.t I rte wmaasi nquedit ein a p fleaacte f oforr m yee aarts sctorneseitd aerrta binly 2 a0f0t8e r– t thhaitn. gAsr etsisctasl abteegda n Rwewmwi .Rreomugirho,u 2g0h1.c6om
Street Art Introduction
Introduction
by Ed Bartlett
walls is thought to date back around produce limited editions of their street art, which can often mean around the world to experience still exploring, and still surprised and
40,000 years, it’s actually more work, and even tempted some meeting and watching the artists at street art today, and providing guides amazed by what I find. Researching
surprising that street art has taken so ‘traditional’ artists and designers to work – a rare privilege among the to each city’s street-art hotspots to and compiling this book has opened
long to flourish. engage with the streets. A raft of contemporary visual arts. enable you to explore further. We’ve my eyes to a number of exciting
After the well-documented graffiti specialist galleries began to appear, It has been argued that street art is also included insights from some of destinations and artists, and I hope it
boom of the 1980s, the advent of and a whole new generation of losing some of the grit and edge that its most important figures. inspires you in some way too.
stencil art – as well as the widespread counterculture art collectors was characterised its formative years – Instagram, Flickr and Google My eternal gratitude goes to those
proliferation of digital cameras, born. Banksy’s success – and the there are some, no doubt, who would Maps are incredibly powerful who have so graciously helped me
6 7
smartphones and social media – led growing ecosystem around him – point a cynical finger at the very supplemental tools to help you to with this project – it would have
to a new wave of artists consciously elevated street art to an entirely existence of this book as evidence. discover and locate works, and been much more difficult without the
eschewing galleries in favour of the new level. And yes, perhaps more investigation many street artists are now active knowledge, passion and dedication
streets. As the 20th century drew to Of course, one man does not needs to be done into the on social media. By uploading of all who participated – not least
I n preparation for writing this a close, street art was everywhere, make a movement. The street increasingly visible role that street and tagging the things you find the artists, without whom the world
introduction, I added up the and everyone was talking about it. art scene of today is flourishing art seems to play in gentrification. along the way, you too can play a would be a less colourful, interesting
number of people living in the cities It’s impossible to discuss the rise thanks to a global cast of creative But we should also be careful not to valuable role in the community. But and inspiring place. In particular I
featured in this book. The total came of street art without mentioning and highly motivated individuals, be overly critical of what is, after all, the real power of street art comes wanted to thank Lucy Langdon for her
to over 150 million. That’s more than Banksy. His work – public, relevant many of whom are self-taught. This a comparatively young, developing from how it can pop into your day copyediting skills (and being a general
twice the combined annual visitors and relatable, with a subversive collaborative DIY attitude is what art form. The majority of street unexpectedly, adding some colour, daily inspiration), Hector Campbell
to the top 10 most visited museums edge – combined with the enduring makes street art’s growth – and its artists pride themselves on taking a smile or even a provocation – so for his tireless help with research and
in the world, all potentially being mystery of his identity, captured growing cultural importance – all the an uncompromisingly conscientious keep your head up and don’t be image sourcing, and Remi Rough, for
exposed to different forms of street the imagination of the mainstream more impressive and exciting. and independent stance with their afraid to explore! whom the word ‘no’ apparently doesn’t
art on a daily basis. press in a way that the traditional Today, the proliferation of legal work, and there remains a strong As a teenager in the 1980s exist. And, of course, to you, for whom
Surprised? This is just the tip of the art world rarely does. A growing walls and organised festivals underground scene. I grew up obsessed with hip-hop the art – and this book – has been
iceberg. Street art is now present in army of highly engaged fans would around the world makes it possible With so much to see, it’s unrealistic and the New York graffiti scene. I created. I’d love to hear your feedback
almost every city, town and village travel to see each new piece in to encounter thought-provoking, to expect to fully document such a was fortunate to move to London and personal recommendations.
in the world, from Aachen to Zwolle. person as soon as it appeared, and transformative art in the most ubiquitous yet transient art form. in time to experience the initial
Its true audience is measured in the trade in his prints and paintings unexpected of places. People are This book is intended as a starting street art explosion first-hand – as Ed Bartlett @edbartlett
breilcloiornds o. fA hnodm goiv seanp itehnast pthaein fitirnstg on beneccaomurea gfreedn oztiehde.r T shtries,e itn a trutirsnts, to ttrhaev gellolibneg s tpoe tchifei cfaolulyr ctoo renxepresr oief nce © Andy Ford pa osienlet cttoi oyno uorf sjooumrne eoyf ,t hhieg hkeliyg hctitiniegs banydst caunrdaetro, rp. hTowtoengrtayp yheearr, sc oolnle, Ic taomr Twhwew F.uthtuefrue tTuernetseen se.net
Street Art Europe
Red Light District Flevopark Additional locations
01 04
The infamous quarter Flevopark is home to • Artist: Stinkfish Location: Doctor H Colijnstraat
astonishes not only with its Amsterdam’s original Graffiti Hall 61, Amsterdam
windows of barely clad women, but of Fame, where it’s perfectly legal • Artist: Victor Ash Location: De Boelelaan 589,
Amsterdam also with its subversive art. Look for to unleash your spray cans. The Amsterdam
red-lit drawings of rodent pin-up action happens on the pillars under • Artist: Btoy/Kenor/Uriginal Location: Dirk
girls – part of the Red Mice District Zuiderzeeweg, a raised street by the Sonoystraat, Amsterdam
Holland
project – on walls throughout the leafy park. You’ll almost always see • Artist: Various Location: NDSM Wall of Fame,
neighbourhood, along with trippy artists at work. It’s east of downtown; NDSM-werf, Tt Neveritaweg, Amsterdam
Amsterdam is world-renowned for in Flevopark and NDSM, as well as artist’s vellum in its staircase, erotic murals. The district is close take tram 14 to the end of the line. • Artist: Various Location: Flevopark Wall of
its art, with Dutch masters such as around the red light district. Just be scheduled for re-installation during to the heart of the city, near Fame, Insulindeweg 1000, Amsterdam
Van Gogh, Vermeer and Rembrandt careful where you point your camera! the summer of 2017. Central Station. 05 The Jordaan • Artist: Various Location: Amsterdam Street
all on show at the city’s awe- Off the streets, galleries such as Amsterdam will also soon play Just west of the centre, the Art Museum, Slotermeer/Geuzenveld,
inspiring Rijksmuseum. Kallenbach and Vroom & Varossieau host to the world’s biggest urban art 02 NDSM Wharf Jordaan teems with cosy pubs, Amsterdam Nieuw-West, Amsterdam
For the younger generation, specialise in contemporary urban museum. In 2017, the northern banks NDSM is a derelict shipyard- offbeat galleries and funky markets • Artist: Parra Location: Tuinstraat 172,
however, the most exciting examples art and frequently host exhibitions of the city are set to be transformed turned-arts-community 15 minutes squashed into a grid of tiny Amsterdam
of contemporary art can be found of local and international artists. into an outdoor museum, with upriver. The area gives off a laneways. Street art abounds in
on the streets and canals of the city. The latter has been working closely 25m-high walls and some 6500 sq m distinctly post-apocalyptic vibe: this bohemian atmosphere, like the
Traditional graffiti has always had a with the Keith Haring Foundation of exhibition space. Expect to see abandoned trams rust on the streets, smiley-faced wall by The London
8 9
strong following in the Netherlands, to restore one of his largest murals giant canvases and installations from and graffiti scrawls across every Police at Prinsengracht 70. Hop
and Amsterdam is the centre of it all. in the city. Meanwhile, the Stedelijk a global ‘who’s who’ of contemporary available surface. It’s a great place on the tram to Westermarkt and
There are major street art galleries Museum is also restoring the late street art. to walk and gawk. Eduardo Kobra’s wander along the canals to find the
kaleidoscopic, warehouse-side best hidden art.
portrait of Anne Frank is the star of
the show. Take the NDSM ferry from
WESTPOORT
02
behind Central Station.
NOORD 03 Nieuw-West
This suburban quarter west
04
of downtown houses the open-air
GEUZENVELD
AMSTERDAM Centraal Station Street Art Museum, home to more
SLOTERMEER CENTRUM than 50 murals by international
NIEUWMARKT artists. The most spectacular
images riff on Vermeer and
05 OUD-WEST
INDISCHE Rembrandt, but anything goes on
03 SLOTERVAART NIEUW ZUIRDijksmuseum01 OOSMTuEidRePrApRoKoBrWtUUATRETRGBRUAAUFRSTMEER © Mark Read / Lonely Planet © Gabriel Perez / Getty Images tmsavhtrarueese staeb ed trugaiirscmretktr’am siatc g putwu.asearidtuyme mtdoe at ncmotou svbrtelseor r(c wdtkhaswem. wT .ch.oem )
Artist: The London Police
Photo: Chinny Bond Location:
Prinsengracht 70, Amsterdam
Artist: Skount Photo: Skount Location:
Johan Brouwerpad 28, Slotermeer-
Noordoost, Amsterdam
Artist: Invader (AMS_04) Photo: Invader
Location: Bloemgracht 4, Amsterdam
1100 1111
Street Art Europe
12 13
Artist: D*Face Photo: Peter Baas courtesy
of Vroom & Varossieau Location: The
Student Hotel Amsterdam West, Jan
van Galenstraat, Amsterdam
Street Art Europe
Exarheia Plaka Gazi
01 02 03
Bohemian Exarheia has an In the heart of historic Plaka, The broad boulevard of
Athens alternative culture and history that with its neoclassical mansions and Pireos Street skirts the edge of
sets it apart from Athens’ other homes dating from the Turkish the renovated gasworks known
districts. A hotbed of students and occupation, longtime ex-pat Irish as Gazi, whose vast exterior walls
Greece
anarchists, Exarheia’s homegrown Tom has co-opted the corner of have been turned over to the
graffiti is a bold treat, mixing Iperidou and Sotiros streets for his creation of sweeping murals. As
Athens has an unexpectedly vibrant and large-scale murals by renowned streets of Athens is generally a excellent painterly technique with vibrant wraparound billboards. His cars zip by, stylised figures and sci-fi
street art scene – perhaps less local artists such as Alexandros joy. A good starting point is Psirri, sharp messaging. Wander north and visual take on current events is a scenes unspool along the broad
surprising when you consider that Vasmoulakis and INO, and a cast of with street after street of painted east from the Panepistimiou metro cheeky blend of political satire and whitewashed brick walls. Head here
the word ‘graffiti’ is derived from visiting names. The ongoing Greek doorways and shutters making it station to take it in. naïve art. from the Keramikos metro stop.
the Greek ‘graphi’, meaning ‘to write’. financial crisis and the recent influx feel more like traversing an open-
Tagging in Athens is as old as the of refugees have also motivated air gallery. The area immediately Psyrri
04
city itself, with ancient words and politically conscious artists to surrounding the Technopolis – Exploring the higgledy-piggledy
phrases found scratched into the produce insightful, powerful works. housed in a former gasworks – also warren of interlocking streets of
very streets. Today, you can’t go far in Thanks to its history, architecture, features some interesting larger Psyrri, you’ll discover unexpected
Athens without encountering street climate and culture, exploring the murals from the likes of OSGEMEOS. graffiti and murals around almost
art. Parts of the city are so covered every corner. Easily accessed from
with tags that even the pichadores either the Monastiraki or Thisio
14 15
of São Paulo would be impressed. metro stops to its south, Psyrri
Larisis
Look beyond the crude tagging, invites a strolling visual adventure
01
however, and you’ll find a trove of 04 along its crumbling walls.
unexpected street art interventions EXARHEIA
OMONIA
Additional locations
• Artist: Borondo Location: Acharnon 440,
ATHENS LYCABETUS
Athens
• Artist: Kashink Location: Sofokleous 41, Nikea,
Athens
PSYRRI
GAZI KOLONAKI • Artist: Various Location: Park area
THISIO Monastiraki behind Hotel Ermou, Ermou 152, Athens
03 AMcAroKpRoYlPiGsLIAAKNANI 02 mages, © Adrienne Pitts / Lonely Planet •••S49 a94AAAr,, rrrrAAittt 6iiittssshh,ttt ee:::A nVWOntsashSilerdGion EDsuMsra ELwOociSna/gtN ioLuonnc:c aDatA iLoDonAc: a ACtriloauncb:h , Po ivreiso s
PANGRATI © Urilux / Getty I •A tAhertnisst: Various Location: 6 Artemisiou,