Artists of the Night

this art is created at night after everyone is asleep. . .

the artists have risked their lives climbing on top of buildings, billboards, and subways plastering their art. . .

Their love of expressing themselves through their art drives them. . . . . 

It does not seem to matter about the risk or the money. . .

I would like to introduce you to a few of them in this short blog.

I will start with one of my picks. . .Jean-Michael Basquiat

  August 12, 1988) Basquiat started as a graffiti artists in Lower East Side Manhattan during the late 1970's. He signed his work as "SAMO." At this time their was a movement of hip hop and punk that went along with the art movement. By the late 1980's he was exhibiting his paintings in galleries and museums internationally. He died at the age of 27 of a heroin overdose. His work is magical and often speaks of social conditions and class struggle. "Basquiat" is a well-done film biography. (streaming on Netflix)  It captures the culture at the time his art was created.

 

Shepard Fairey. . . is another well-known United States artist. . .

Jay-Z rapped about Basquiat and referred to Shepard Fairy in his recent album. . .

 "Frank Shepard Fairey ( born February 15, 1970 (age 47), Born in Charleston, South Carolina. is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. " - wickepedia

 Eight years. Shepard Fairy created 350 of the posters on the left and sold them out in hours during the first Obama campaign.

• Andre the Giant Has a Posse is a street art campaign based on a design by Shepard Fairey created in 1989 in Providence, Rhode Island. Distributed by the skater community, the stickers featuring an image of André the Giant began showing up in many cities across the US. 

   

  Banksy. . . is another well known street artist from the UK

   

  If you would like to see more of Banksy's work and Shepard's work, there is a unique documentary called "Exit Through the Gift Shop"now streaming on Netflix.  

   

  The film documentary follows street artists as they do their work in the middle of the night in different cities. At the 2010 film festival it was nominated "Best Documentary Feature." There have been extensive debate whether it is genuine or a mokumentary.  Banksy says it is real when asked.  Give it a watch and see what you think!

  

   

  

   I only had time to share a few of my favorite artists! 

   I hope you will continue to research this amazing world of street art. Every major city and country now has their street artists!  The movement is going strong as artists express themselves boldly throughout the dark streets at night.

  Thank you for visiting! Nelda

  
  

  

   

  Here are a few excellent links for more film study:

   AMC            http://www.filmsite.org

  IMBD          http://www.imdb.com

  Roger Ebert  http://www.rogerebert.com

  You Tube       http://www.youtube.com 

  Criterion       http://www.criterion.com 

  Wickepedia   http://www.wickepedia.com 

 P.S.  Be sure and follow us on our e-mail list. Click here: 

 http://www.earthoceanfirejewelry.com 

    new women's site   http:// www.earthoceanfirewomen.com

P.S.S. we automatically send out a comprehensive PDF file list of "film noir" movies for you to make your movie watching list! It is free when you join our e-mail. 7 pages of info including title, actors, brief description, where it is streaming! Both classic and newer "film noir" are included.