Was just lurking over at the KidRobot blog and came across this new series of images from UK natives INSA(background work) and INKIE (lettering).
At first I thought it might be crafty photoshopping, but after reading over the user comments (obviously a reliable source), it seems as though each still of the animation has been hand painted by the artist. Nice vision!
While I’m here, this is my stance on graffiti: I think it can really enhance a public space when you do clean pieces as seen above. Every city has its own subculture of urban celebrities that you begin to recognize when their work crops up. Boston happens to have a very vigilant street cleaning crew that removes offending work almost immediately, and so longevity is lacking in this town.
Streetartlocator.com is a good source for finding work in theory, but many times the local piece has been buffed before you even get out to the spot. I’m aware there are lots of dodgy places that are probably littered with pieces, but as far as public work you encounter on a stroll, I see the occasional sticker bombing. And then there is the alley in Central Square next to Central Kitchen, but seriously-what is happening there right now?
The flip side of the graffiti conversation is, sometimes the excessive tagging wars, or ruining a nice piece with awful work, or defacing monuments creates a negative stigma. And when that stuff happens, its never GOOD. It’s like- “Ken <3 Lisa ‘02” and other bathroom stall dribble. I think there should be an understanding in the community that those types of places, like landmarks and churches etc, should be left alone.
I feel like in someways it also ties into one of my favorite psychology take-aways from college which is the “Broken Windows Theory”:
Broken windows theory is a criminological theory of the normsetting and signalling effects of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. The theory states that monitoring and maintaining urban environments in a well-ordered condition may prevent further vandalism as well as an escalation into more serious crime.
Basically, if you are in a nice neighborhood-and you see a broken window on a building, which is left unrepaired, it could lead to more broken windows or other acts of vandalism, and can escalate to other crimes. The psych blurb goes on to suggest if the building is “left unoccupied, perhaps become squatters may occupy the space or light fires inside.” I’m not sure I’d go THAT far in most cases, but I think there is some truth behind the theory.
In closing, I am a street art advocate—so whip out your Montanas™, do things, and let me know about it.
Give me something to rave about in this fairly conservative town.
And if you see a broken window, fix it! Scary bugs can get in ;( ♥
