Friday 11 November 2011
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Assignment 3 - Refined 300 Words Writing
The perception of graffiti has changed dramatically over the last decade. It is a subject that was often associated with social problems and urban degeneration, which requires substantial public resources in policing, cleaning and diversionary programs. As various documentation and study of graffiti started to surface at the turn of last decade, it s no longer understood as a soulless anarchic prank but a celebration of individual creativity and imagination. It is an instant social and political reflection within a specific context which draws our attention the most mundane elements of our built environment. Street artists actualise objective force in the material realm, as examplified in Melbourne exciting street art scene. Their diversity and individualism distinguishes them from those that perpetuate the singular worldview of a ruling class. It is an organic evolution of the street, where the ephemeral nature of graffiti allows them to become “legitimate” medium used to express one’s opinion and receive public response in the fastest possible way due to its instant accessibility.
If it is to say graffiti and street art is an act of detournement, then it is doubtless that it will be recuperated into mainstream culture; meanwhile a new form of “graffiti” will be generated to revolt and criticise the incorporated mainstream graffiti culture. These fluctuating acting and reacting forces is a constant struggle between the infringed and the authorised, which will continue to adjust, adopt and absorb. “Graffiti” will continue to be an art that speaks of a moment and captures a community’s imagination and this imagination, is the most fundamental, efficient and organic generative force to shape the exponential growth of today’s “hypertextual” urban landscape.
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Assignment 3 - Related Articles
Article
Complex relationship between 'détournement' and 'récuperation' in Melbourne's street (graffiti and stencil) art scene
200 Words Synopsis
Graffiti and street art has always been a complex subject to explore in an urban context. Whether it be a devastation of a clean neighbourhood, or artistic beautification of an abandoned building, its success/ failure all depends on the “right” application to a particular context. It is an act of detournement, where techniques used in advertising is employed by public to attack capitalism system itself. In reverse, recuperation is occuring in conjunction at the same time, where illegal forces are adopted and absorbed into the main stream society. These opposing and adjusting forces are the truest reflection of a society. It is a constant struggle between the infringed and the authority.
Melbourne has one of the most exciting street art in Australia, whether it be decorative, political or personal, its street artists actualise objective force in the material realm. Their diversity and individualism distinguishes them from those that perpetuate the singular worldview of a ruling class. It is an organic evolution of the street, where the ephemeral nature of graffiti allows them to become “legitimate” medium used to express one’s opinion and received public response in the fastest possible way because of the casualty and instant accessibility of street art.
Reference
Janet McGaw, "Complex relationship between 'détournement' and 'récuperation' in Melbourne's street (graffiti and stencil) art scene", Architectural theory review: journal of the Department of Architecture, the University of Sydney, v.13, n.2 (2008): [222]-239.
Assignment 3 - Selected Theme
Theme
Complex relationship between graffiti and urbanisation
Draft 150 words
Graffiti is a subject that was often associated with social problems and urban degeneration, which requires substantial public resources in policing, cleaning and diversionary programs. However, if one tries to understand graffiti in an urban context, it becomes clear that graffiti is in fact the most genuine way in expressing political and social needs in a particular context, in an illicit way. Much graffiti draws our attention the most mundane elements of our built environment: the unremarkable architecture of factory walls, rear fences and lane ways; the pylons holding up freeways and railway overpasses; the ubiquitous infrastructure of signal boxes, traffic lights, electricity substations, sewer and stormwater outlets; waiting rooms and toilet walls. They draw our attention to those elements of the urban fabric that seem unremarkable and make them something to talk about. It is an illegal art that speak of a moment and capture a community’s imagination.
Sunday 4 September 2011
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