I have been loathe to comment on what's been happening lately in Fitzroy because I never want to discourage anyone's creativity. I always maintain that art is an action. So whether good, bad or indifferent the act of doing street art IS art to me. Graff in tall places, clever placement, mass bombing: these all make me look twice.
Unfortunately lately there has been some slacking off of standards. I won't name names, nor pass judgment on anyone reading this who may feel this is directed at them. I therefore will not attach photos either. But PLEEEAAAASE people. Fitzroy built it's reputation as a street art Mecca on the back of hard work. Exacting work. Think, among hundreds of others, of HaHa, Everfresh, Awol, Aeon, Tres, iKool, TV Crew, Ghost Patrol and Miso, Lister. These people are Giants. They made our reputation.
So with apologies for my arrogant opinion, condescension and paternalistic take, I implore every enthusiastic participant in the New World Order to:
1. Stop pasting over other people's work - be it throw ups, pieces, or legendary stickers such as Ghost Patrol. It pisses everyone off.
2. Use good wheatpaste. No-one wants to look at creases or watch a paste up half hanging on a wall.
3. Only put your good stuff up. Say something, reflect, opine. Give something.
4. Look at a wall before tagging it to determine if any respect is due.
5. Learn the history and context your work, today, is positioned within.
Thanks for allowing this self indulgent community announcement. I have said it and now I will move on. I still live to observe everything new that comes along. I embrace the evolution of Fitzroy. I just fear it's demise!
Unfortunately lately there has been some slacking off of standards. I won't name names, nor pass judgment on anyone reading this who may feel this is directed at them. I therefore will not attach photos either. But PLEEEAAAASE people. Fitzroy built it's reputation as a street art Mecca on the back of hard work. Exacting work. Think, among hundreds of others, of HaHa, Everfresh, Awol, Aeon, Tres, iKool, TV Crew, Ghost Patrol and Miso, Lister. These people are Giants. They made our reputation.
So with apologies for my arrogant opinion, condescension and paternalistic take, I implore every enthusiastic participant in the New World Order to:
1. Stop pasting over other people's work - be it throw ups, pieces, or legendary stickers such as Ghost Patrol. It pisses everyone off.
2. Use good wheatpaste. No-one wants to look at creases or watch a paste up half hanging on a wall.
3. Only put your good stuff up. Say something, reflect, opine. Give something.
4. Look at a wall before tagging it to determine if any respect is due.
5. Learn the history and context your work, today, is positioned within.
Thanks for allowing this self indulgent community announcement. I have said it and now I will move on. I still live to observe everything new that comes along. I embrace the evolution of Fitzroy. I just fear it's demise!
