The Historic “Undiscovered America” Mural in the DTLA Arts District Has Been Restored After 25 Years
After 25 years, Earth Crew 2000 has renewed their historic mural in the DTLA Art District, a mural that has often been viewed on Cartwheel Art’s walking tours. Titled “Undiscovered America,” the mural was painted in 1992 by Earth Crew 2000. This collective of graffiti crews came together through a TEKIO youth project. They wanted to…
EVENT PHOTO COVERAGE: BEYOND THE STREETS (Press Preview) by Steve Grody
Chaz Bojorquez Kenny Scharf Ron Finley LadyPink and Takai183 Ron Finley Slick Mark Mothersbaugh (L-R) Roger Gastman, Takai183, Chaz Bojorquez Greg “Craola” Simkins Jersey Joe Swoon Retna Zes Chaz Bojorquez Revok Gajin Fujita Pose Chaz Bojorquez (L-R_ Greg “Craola” Simkins, Slick, Risk Jim Progoff and Zes
PREVIEW: Venice Pavilion at BEYOND THE STREETS with Steve Grody
Following is the history with accompanying photos of the Venice Pavilion by Steve Grody, graffiti documentarian, and author of the book Graffiti LA: Street Styles and Art. This article was written as a preview for BEYOND THE STREETS, where there will be a historical recreation of the Venice Pavilion, which was considered the legendary graffiti and…
Event Coverage: 2018 LA Art Show, by Steve Grody
You always have to steel yourself for the LA Art Show, with so much work to see. A full range, from the inspirational to competitors for the slacker-art award are on display. Amongst the work that is good one can find blue chip old friends, such as Frank Stella and Ed Ruscha, to new finds…
Event Coverage: Opening Reception of “Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment” at Lancaster Museum of Art & History (MOAH) – November 11th, 2017
I’m glad I was able to make it out the opening of “Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment” at Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) on November 11th. The museum has a nice feel to it. Walking in, I found co-curator Lisa Derrick giving a filmed interview to some folks from New York and after almost…
Preview & Essay: ” Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment” at Museum of Art and History, Lancaster (MOAH) – November 11th, 2017 through January 14th, 2018
“Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment,” opening at Museum of Art and History, Lancaster (MOAH) on Saturday, November 11th, and curated by Lisa Derrick and Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre, serves as a fine complement to the documentary film “Dark Progressivism.” The curatorial statement for “Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment, is an appreciative and insightful academic perspective of…
Photo Coverage: Highlight’s of the LA Art Show Opening Party, by Steve Grody
The LA Art Show is always a mixed-bag kind of overdose. I’ll just mention a few of the things I enjoyed seeing. To begin with, there are always “old friends” that, though done generations ago, still have impact, like the little Willem de Kooning or Toulouse Lautrec at one gallery. Willem de Kooning Toulouse Lautrec…
Site Specific: A Graffiti Micro-History at Hauser, Wirth and Schimmel, by Steve Grody
There are innumerable sites of graffiti activity across Los Angeles. Some have been one-time spots, while others have been and may still be considered “yards,” a place where graffiti is done regularly. These sites cover the continuum from legal and even commissioned work, to illegal. The continuum of the “non-permission” i.e. illegal work runs the…
Observations of the 2016 LA Art Show: Steve Grody
The L.A. Art Show is always a mixed bag, and a lot to visually chew through with not necessarily enough attention span to make through properly in one try. There is work that might have been seen as edgy if it were at least 40 years ago. There is work where clearly the artist has…
Graffiti Primer by Steve Grody, author of Graffiti LA.
Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation are men who want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. — Frederick Douglass I should also add the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger.” Graffiti and its related activities, such as postering (“wheat pasting”), is very…
“Utilize” from the UTI Crew at American Hotel for Bloomfest LA
Modern graffiti in Los Angeles started to catch on in the mid ‘80s and quickly grew in popularity among kids that were attracted to its half-art-half-sport (lots of climbing and running), getting-away-with-it nature. One of the crews to achieve acknowledged veteran status in the world of Los Angeles graffiti is UTI (Under The Influence, Using…
