Exhibition Showcasing Street Art and Culture is a “First Ever”
People have been painting on walls since the dawn of time, from rock paintings left by prehistoric man to the complex visual artworks created by the Ancient Egyptians in the pyramids. The exquisite Kerala murals date back to the 9th century, and early artists would have been proud to see the level of credibility that street art has achieved by the 21st century. Art in the Street, a magnificent exhibition of street art and graffiti presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, is a testament to the street cred of the medium and its impact on society.
The Exhibition
The first incarnation of Art in the Street took place in August 2011 at LA’s Geffen Contemporary, after which it moves to the Brooklyn Museum where it will be on display from March to July 2012. With a focus on the history of graffiti and street art since the 1970s, the exhibition follows its development into a global movement with emphasis on filmmakers and photographers who documented street art culture. It is the first time a mainstream art exhibition has been held devoted entirely to street art and graffiti.
It is the first time a mainstream art exhibition has been held devoted entirely to street art and graffiti.
Featuring Futura2000
Art in the Street features installations by some of the most exciting artists in the street art community. Painting graffiti illegally since the early 70s, Futura2000 is one of the pioneers of abstract street art, and his distinctive style of using aerosol strokes sets him apart from other contemporary graffiti artists. His career has included illustrations and graphic design of record sleeves, and on-stage spray painting of backdrops during live performances of The Clash.
Fab 5 Freddy
Freddy, a 1970s hip-hop performer and self-styled “graffiti thief,” began his career in Brooklyn as a member of the Fabulous 5, a group that got its name from graffiti bombing the number 5 subway train. After a role in the film New York Beat/Downtown 81, Freddy moved on to become one of the producers of Wild Style. One of the central artists featured at Art in the Street, his installation includes his colorful “Out of Africa” 72-inch canvas work. Freddy was a long-time friend of Jean-Michel Basquait, a young Brooklyn artist who was selling paintings out of galleries by the age of 20, and whose work is also featured in the exhibition.
Shows in a Show
Several “shows within the show” are featured in Art in the Street, such as a timeline of the history of street art with photography, video and artworks to illustrate it. Some of the filmmakers and photographers who documented street art culture include Henry Chalfant, Steve Grody, Estevan Oriol, and Larry Clark. A Fun Gallery will show the work of graffiti artists who influenced its history, and the director of the 1983 film Wild Style, which heavily influenced the cultures of hip-hop and graffiti, will help to curate a documentary section on the subject.
Controversy
MOCA Director Jeffrey Deitch said that Art would be the first exhibition of contemporary art history to include the influential artists that emerged from street culture. While the show has been an outstanding success, it has been dogged by controversy since before the opening, with an increase in graffiti in the area surrounding the Geffen. Police have stepped up their vigilance and at least one artist was arrested. A mural commissioned on the wall of the building as part of the run-up to the show was whitewashed by authorities, paving the way for a stormy co-existence during the tenure of the exhibition.
While the show has been an outstanding success, it has been dogged by controversy since before the opening, with an increase in graffiti in the area surrounding the Geffen.