Mankind has been creating illustrations since the very birth of civilization. As reader, we should recall our ancestors the 'Cavemen' as they'd been responsible for very early primitive paintings. These caves paintings were used by mankind as an attempt to illustrate the existence of objects, animals, and even ideas in their societies. With that being said, what constitutes art? And what is it to be socially acceptable? Often things considered taboo in one spectrum of life are deemed wholly in another time and place, being the only true set denominators. Graffiti and street art are generally viewed quite differently in how they influence what we'll feel regarding specific communities. Ironically,both stem from the same social/political mindset-ed initiative resonating inside artists.
It's been said that all art pieces are intended to describe and represent aspects of our culture and time period, and in essence finished art pieces are simply an artist's own reaction to their specific societies mindset and infrastructure as well as the economic/political conditions of their time period. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway wall and tenement halls." Surely in our modern world it's stands to reason that our societies street art and graffiti should also be representative in telling us something incredibly unique and significant about our own culture today.
The Dumbo Wall - Type: Collaboration.
Location: Under the Manhattan Bridge nearest the BQE-side.
So what do you say when opportunity comes knocking on your door? Rhetorical question but still,here in Dumbo the answer is proudly exhibited as an aesthetic in this wonderful upcoming upper/middle class melting pot neighborhood. Notice how the upper illustration has clear, aquatic yet mercantile qualities to it whilst the lower one exhibits a more classic yet quite stately-classy quality to it. These elements speak to the sheer diversity of this neighborhood and it's residents, truly a wonderful collaboration!
The Gowanus Wall - Type: Collaboration.
Location: Union St. Corner of Nevins/President Street.
There's no place in Brooklyn quite as industrial as Gowanus, known mostly for its warehouses as well as the man-made canal. Here, the artists pay homage to their influences growing up such as Shodan from System Shock 2 and Wan Shi Tong the Owl librarian and keeper of all knowledge. Notice the fascination this piece has with the internet age as well as creation in the internet age. Note the entire frame is done to look like the inside of a microchip. Inherently, artists would create something like this in an industry rich gentrifying community such as this. As both a gamer and lover of pop culture I can't help but marvel at this pieces immense beauty!
The Junction Wall - Type: Collaboration.
Location: J-Z Line at Broadway Junction.
Art is first and foremost a reaction to the social/economic time period of the artist. In this predominantly Haitian/Caribbean sector of the subway uptown meets downtown as gentrification meets the hood. Incredibly the youth in this area illustrates their political/social mindset with leaders and social reformers Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, and Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Notice even the tribal image has been given wings, it's quite inspiring much like the thoughts, ideas, and deeds of those individuals illustrated.
Remember how our ancestors the cavemen wrote on walls for ages? Well, in pop culture the term 'graffiti' is an umbrella term used to both describe our own urban writing style and discredit it. In many contexts it's a vulgar word associated with vandalism by some local meandering youth in a lower class neighborhood. This may ring as evident in many cases however, graffiti only contrasts with street art in our society because street art's deemed socially acceptable as well as seen for it obvious contribution to a communities aesthetics. Vandalism it maybe but graffiti still serves a unique and interesting purpose here in our modern society. Ages ago cave paintings were used by cavemen to illustrate things that existed in their lives.
Graffiti, in reality, is just a public exhibit of a local artists desire to be seen here in the modern day metropolis mankind has constructed, additionally it's all part of this natural desire we have to express ourselves in some kind of small message. Very ego driven yet very bold, it's quite the feat much like cave paintings and if your tag or art 'exhibit' demonstrates some message(s) people in the community unconsciously appreciate or simply can't get rid of then it may find longevity, exposure and even recognition the artist never received personally.
This graffiti in particular is known as 'tags.' Simply signatures of this communities representative 'meandering' young artists in question. These indicate both territory as well as familiarity between the artist(s) and the neighborhood. Notice the tribal possibly Indigenous-Abstract influences uniquely in the middle tag. The bottom one seems to be more appreciative of subway or 'junk culture' based on the way they've inflated and sloped their tag. The overall usage of duller more neutral colors are a reoccurring thematic tendencies here in Brooklyn's Urban Youth Culture.
