Monday, August 29, 2011
10 places where graffiti is legal
Graffiti has long been a part of human history, but it wasn’t until the emergence of hip hop culture that graf began gaining recognition as an art form around the globe.
Graffiti is considered vandalism in most places. Because of this, the risk graf artists, or “writers” take when they tag, and the speed and efficiency with which they must create their pieces, have helped shape the form itself.
More and more people however, in various places around the world, are recognizing graf as a legitimate art form and now provide legal spaces for it. Below are 10 places where tagging is legal, and in some cases, encouraged. It can also be highly competitive. Bring skills or just enjoy.
1. Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Australia
Photo by BlueBec
This famous spot is popular among tourists and artists alike. Located in the southern edge of Melbourne, Hosier Lane allows for all kinds of street art and even seems to encourage it, as the lane has been featured in travel guides and advertising campaigns. Graffiti artists, if there was ever a place for you, this is it.
Elsewhere in Melbourne, street art is just as prevalent though maybe not as heavily advertised as Hosier Lane. Even Banksy tagged it. The owners of the building then installed a perspex screen over the work to prevent it from damage or destruction.
2. Warsaw, Poland
Photo by *gorolla
Topiel Street provides ample wall space for writers and stencil art. No hassle from the local police!
3. Tesnov, Prague
Well-known among the denizens of Prague, near the Florenc metro station. Relatively safe, this site offers completely legal tagging with the added benefit of good lighting from nearby street lamps.
4. Queens, New York, United States
Photo by rawmeyn
Dubbed 5Pointz, this full city block in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City is free to the public and almost entirely covered by graffiti. Artists who are interested in putting up their work here must first be reviewed and granted permission by curator Meres One.
Murals are allocated a certain amount of space and exhibition time based on the quality and durability of the work.
5. Paris, France
Photo by Gabriel Radic
Legal tagging sites are sprinkled all over France. Just be wary of the graffiti groups, as some can get a bit territorial and aren’t afraid of confrontation.
6. Taipei, Taiwan
Photo by neogenova
Many artists take advantage of Taiwan’s legal gray area concerning graffiti and vandalism, posting their work all over the city. Police officers openly admit to not getting involved unless there is an owner complaint or property damage.
7. Zürich, Switzerland
Photo by inthesitymad
Independently run by a group of artists and sanctioned by the city, Rote Fabrik in Zürich was originally a lakeside silk mill. Now this alternative cultural center is one of the few places in this city where graffiti art is not just legal, but encouraged.
8. Sydhavnen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Photo by tobiashm
Lauded as a must-see sight in Copenhagen, the hall of fame wall near Sydhavnen is home to some massive and complex pieces. Though individual pieces may not last long due to the popularity of this location, enough visitors stop by each day that artists’ creations gain significant exposure once put up.
9. Burghausen, Germany
Running 150 meters long and 8 meters high, the graffiti wall in Burghausen, Germany is open to all artists who bring their own paint and creative minds. The city is located in the southeast portion of Germany, close to the Austrian border.
10. Venice, California, United States
Photo by jakedobkin
The Venice Graffiti Pit located in Venice Beach is world famous for being an open and creative space for street artists. It is not uncommon to see an artist in the middle of working on a mural her. The only downside? Artwork gets painted over by other artists in rapid succession.
Though doing graffiti legally may not be as adrenaline-inducing as tagging illegally, the luxury of time allows for more detailed and intricate artwork.
Graffiti artists, aficionados, and admirers may visit this site for specific directions and a comprehensive list of sites.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Norway Claims Second Biggest Graffiti Piece
With the MTA crew’s massive LA River roller wiped out by a federally funded ditch cleaning effort, what’s the next biggest piece of graffiti? Norwegian graffiti enthusiasts are vying for the title, touting a roller painted in an airfield southwest of Oslo. Asking “can you see us from outer space?,” the 60 foot high FOS Crew painting measures roughly 820 feet at its longest, just over half the size of MTA’s third of a mile monstrosity. Norwegian rappers Gatas Parlament have declared it the “world’s second largest piece of all time,” a compelling enough claim that the local newspaper chartered a flight for an aerial shot of this second place painting.
Photos by Budstikka and Gatas Parlament
Source: animalnewyork.com
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
PLAYBOY MANSION and THE MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT JULY 7th!
This Thursday the bunnies get budded by the IBUDYOU tribe and The Marijuana Policy Project... Mmmmmmhmmm.
COPE2 Solo Exhibit in West Hollywood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE This important exhibition presents current work as well as an assortment of COPE2's art. From his early graffiti to his iconic work on New York City Subway trains, to his latest artistic creations, this show is not to be missed. His works in the show also include his famous graffiti New York City MTA subway maps and miniature subway trains. COPE2 has influenced everything from other graffiti art to today's street art and beyond.COPE2 is a worldwide celebrity and a veritable legend within the graffiti art world. Artists from all over the planet track him down in order to paint beside the master. Raised in New York in the South Bronx, COPE2 has been painting for more than thirty years on the streets, revealing his unyielding integrity as he tirelessly paints these urban labyrinths; he remains the most authentic emblematic totem of committed street art. |
 Maximillian Gallery at the world reknowned Sunset Marquis makes connections between those desiring meaningful, cutting edge art and emerging, contemporary artists and street artists. Maximillian Gallery provides sales and art licensing representation for talented fine artists, serving a wide array of creative intellectual property owners, including painters, sculptors, photographers and illustrators. The gallery also features a collection of unique art gifts. Maximillian Gallery Gallery Hours: |
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Chronic Candy Presents SPRING GATHERING! June 11!
Chronic Candy present SPRING GATHERING!
Featuring Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Stephen Marley, Collie Budz and more!
See ya’ll there!
PUFFxPUFFxPASS!
For more info, go to www.ChronicCandy.com
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