Gaelic_Laird
Not what you might expect this if you haven't read the blurb. Yes, it gives a good insight into the development of street art and the rise to popularity of, what are now, well-known artists like Banksy, Shepard Fairey & Invader but the main story here is about French loon Thierry Guetta. He's a charasmatic, eccentric and successful bloke who made his money in the rag trade in LA but his obsession was capturing everything on film, in a compulsive way. Thierry's love of filming develops into him convincing street artists to allow him to film them at work, telling them he is making a documentary - which he wasn't. Eventually he crosses paths with Banksy and then we get the twist. In the words of Banksy "It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed" Banksy's taken a lot of flack over recent years as his work has been embraced by the darlings of the art world but in my opinion he comes out of this with his reputation in tact and credibly sticking two-fingers up to the establishment.Good on him.
Travis_Bickle
Depends on how you define credibility. As a 'street artist' he's without peer in terms of profile, one of the originals and certainly one of the best. Hated amongst graffiti writers, usual 'sell out' accusations. He didn't cut enough fences and rob enough paint for the 'hardcore' lot, Ben Eine did and so gets a free a ride even with the Cameron/Obama stuff. All the hatred is a bit daft really and I suspect born of a lot of jealousy for the dosh he makes. All that said, I'm 100% 'Team Robbo' ;)
Gaelic_Laird
You're totally right there TB. Banksy hasn't been a "graffiti-ist" for a long time, his stencilled street art is where he's found his real success and is seen by many old hands as a cop out. The feud between the two crews is the usual nonsense - typical boys stuff, hence:from this
to this
and from this
to this
And on it goes...whatever about the politics of it all, for me it's about the visual imagery - if it makes you stop, admire what you're looking at and think about the message that's it and in their own way they both succeed on this level.Catch the flick though - you'd probably enjoy it if you have an interest.
Travis_Bickle
Style Wars is still required viewing if you've even a passing interest in graffiti.Quite enjoyed Wholetrain (German film about 'writers', quite accurate for a drama).NT's Terror Fabulous is worth a watch, although if you think Banksy gets abuse, you should see the shite Aroe gets!State Your Name is alright if you're interested in NY stuff. Part 2 featuring Oker (arguably the UK's best) has still never seen the light of day.There are 100s of 'graff' films now, most are deadly dull even for fans of the stuff.There's a documentary knocking about on the net that covers the history of writing in Paris, quality stuff, Bando, Boxer, Lokkis etc. Worth digging out.
Gaelic_Laird
Yep, Style Wars is an old one - seen it once, in a previous life. I'll have a dig around the net for the name of the French one - sounds worth a look. You might like this if you haven't already come across it...
http://www.pimpartworks.com/ very commecial but some good stuff comes around every now and again.
Travis_Bickle
Only really follow the Hurtyoubad blog these days. Forgot a couple, Steel Injection and London's White Trash, UK history and all that.
Travis_Bickle
Thought of a few more, Bajo Tierra 3 (Spanish, clue in the name), any of the Dirty Hands films, anything by MOAS
Gaelic_Laird
Good man you - plenty to go at there. Downloaded Style Wars yesterday so that's up next. The soundtrack's great if I remember right; early hip-hop & electro stuff. 80's time warp.
Travis_Bickle
Might as well start at the start. I remember Channel 4 showed it back in the 80s, 1000s of VHS copies knocking about after that. Some great moments in it 'this is it, this is it, this is iiiiittttt'. You'll see what that means when you watch it. And some good music as well.
Gaelic_Laird
It was released on DVD in 2005 with a load of extras - £37 from Amazon though, I think not!Wife's out tomorrow nite so it'll be feet up and screened then.
Travis_Bickle
Collector's Edition....some sad gits bought it ;)Let me know what you think? There are some really good books knocking about now as well. Subway Art and Spraycan Art were required reading. If you like the historical side it's good to back further to the less artistic stuff and see how letter style and stuff developed.
Gaelic_Laird
Watched Style Wars on the weekend TB following your reminder - I saw it a long time ago and would never have remembered it without your comment. This is roots stuff, a long way back from the later stuff covered by Exit Through (although the early part of that film does cover some of the 80s but only as an intro to show how it lead onto other things). The artwork was brilliant and the film very well produced, capturing the the city and the moment in time really well. Watched it with my 11 year old lad and kept me gob shut without going off on one about the rights and wrongs of stealing paint and spraying over trains. Soundtrack's good too. I'll keep an eye out for Whole Train.
Travis_Bickle
Some fantastic moments in Style Wars, the whole Cap business and Min One's great description of him as 'some guy named Cap with his Lucille Ball hairdo'. Cap was crazy by all accounts, pulling shotguns on people etc. On the special edition they go back and interview them all. Min One talks about them all having a 'meeting of minds'. Always been said that you had to be 'handy' if you were going to write in NY back then.If you want another, I'd start with one I can't believe I forgot. Kings and Toys, another that C4 showed. Very good documentary, everything from Loomit to DDS. Some nice 'action' stuff as well with the now very famous Ben Eine, Elk and Oker doing an old slam door. Great intro from Futura 2000 as well.
Mike_Jones
Anyway, Exit Thru Giftshop, thought it was great myself, funny, thought-provoking street art, mentalist characters, very little bollocks (other than the daft twats who queued up to see the loony tunes French (?) blokes show, typical scenesters - in LA?). Well worth watching. Banksy is a funny fella.
Placid
I spray painted "AFIKA BAMBATTA" across the fives courts at Allerton Grange. There endeth my grafitti career. Back to buzzing gas and shopliffting it was.
Travis_Bickle
placidcasual wrote:buzzing gas
Another fine tradition being lost to the scourge of rampant Americanisation...I mean, crack? I ask you?
Cutsyke
I can't remember if we painted Geordie Pete & Roddy Of Glasgow Kick To Kill on the Arndale or just talked about it.