In 1985 I gave graffiti a try. We stayed up late and went to a school to make this masterpiece that we had drawn on a piece of paper. It was a huge pacman with the words "RAP '85" next to it. It was dark so we colored it in over and over again thinking the bricks were sucking up the paint. We couldn't see much. Next morning on the paper route I rode by the wall and there it was! The RAP '85 wild style piece. So stoked, I felt like I was in the movie Breakdance.
When school was out, the police had already shown up. It was straight to the station for an explanation. There was no way out so a few minutes later it was back to the wall at the school with buckets full of thinner, water, brushes and whatever else to get that piece off the wall before they sent a professional cleaning crew and have us pay that bill. It took forever to get it off. We were regretting the multi layers of paint we used to fill in the stupid pacman. I learnt my lesson and never touched a spray can since. That doesn't mean that I don't like graffiti any longer. Wherever I go, I check it out.
The Street Logos book by Tristan Manco shows "Andre the Giant" type of street art. You see it and you recognize it, anywhere on this planet.
From the intro: Current graffiti art is more reflective of the world around it. Using new materials and techniques, its innovators are creating an original language of forms and images infused with contemporary graphic design and illustration. Fluent in branding and graphic imagery, they have been replacing tags with more personal logos and shifting from typographic to iconographic forms of communication. Subverted signs, spontaneous drawings, powerful symbols and curious characters represent an unstoppable worldwide gallery of free art.
The book shows great work that makes you want to find it. I'll leave the illegal activities up to these artists and just enjoy it when I see it.
BdJ
Street Logos by Tristan Manco
128 pages
485 illustrations
ISBN 0-500-28469-5
9.95 Pound Sterling
www.streetlogos.com
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.