Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada- Real Portraits That Fade Like Life

Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada is a cuban-american street artist who creates mostly charcoal portraits in a large scale on urban areas. He started his art as one of the founders of the New York Culture Jamming movement in the early 90's Rodríguez was part of interventions upon billboards and public advertising. He then started getting the public attention through this. Later in 2002 he moved to Barcelona and focused on his Identity Series, a large-scale ephemeral charcoal drawings. He then developed his Terrestrial Series, which are even larger-scale ephemeral drawings that can be visible from space, this gained him international media attention. Although his work is impressive it can be even more touching and amazing if the public understands his history as a culture jammer and really thinks about what it means. The artist explains this in his website where he tries to explain that he portrais realistic images of locals that question the controls imposed in public space, and he tries to mock the abuse of iconic faces in the selling of products and ideas. He also describes how he uses charcoal and not other material so like life people can apritiate the beauty of things while it last before it fades away. The portrait transforms locals into social icons and shows the influence that one person even if they are not musicians, actors, athletes or cooks can actually make a different in society.

Works Cited

Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada Paco Portrait, Barcelona, Spain. Personal photograph by author. 2004.

Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada WISH Monument, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

Rodriguez-Gerada, Jorge. "Biography." Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada. Jorgerodriguezgerada.com, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.jorgerodriguezgerada.com/43-biography>.

Rodriguez-Gerada, Jorge. "Statement." Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada. Jorgerodriguezgerada.com, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.jorgerodriguezgerada.com/55-statement>.

L'ATLAS- Calligraphist or Artist?

Unlike most street artist L'Atlas (real name Jules Dedet Granel), doesn't use color, or round shapes for that matter, this artist is different from most out there he uses lines and calligraphy in a way that the public gets confused and intrigued by it. He has studied calligraphy in several countries world wide and has developed his own typography, he uses this to create art in the streets of the world. He started doing this in the streets of Paris in the early 90's using spray paint, then in 2001 he changed from spray paint to Scotch tape. He makes labyrinths in the floors and walls of big cities, which atract turist and people all over the world. He uses lines and geometric shapes to create art pieces and is recognized world wide for them. For example this work right here is a compass made up of lines that are interesting to the eye and are really a different way of seeing things. His labyrinths in the floors are on of the things that have made him the most famous and really make him an astonishing artist. L'Atlas is an amazing yet different artist that should be recognized as both a calligraphist and an artist

Works Cited

Grane, Jules D. "News : L'ATLAS." News : L'ATLAS. Latlas.org, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://latlas.org/>.

Hinke, Fernanda. "Interview with Spiritual-mystic Paris Graffiti Artist L’Atlas." Underground Paris RSS. Undergroundparis.org, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://undergroundparis.org/latlas-interview>.

L'ATLAS Compass, Paris. Personal photograph by author. N.d.

INVADING the World

Invader is a French urban artist who is inspired by the arcade game Space Invaders, that are made up of small colored square tiles forming a space invader character mural mosaic. He puts them up around the world, and documents this as an "Invasion", with books and maps of where to find them. He is inspired by several video games from the 1980s, which at the time did not have much resolution so could be replaced by mosaics which represent the pixels. He started his project in 1998 "invading" Paris where he lives and then moved on to more than 30 cities in france and more than 20 in Europe and he then invaded several capitals of the world including São Paulo, Los Angeles, Miami and others. He also rewards himself with points for every invasion he makes based on difficulty and placing, "This is the most addcitive game I have ever played." said the artist in 2011. He does not ask permission and does most of his work illegally so he has been arrested several times world wide, this including in Los Angeles and New York. His art makes the public think about how technology has advance and specialy how video games have grown since they first started to pop out, it bring outs emotions of childhood and fun. The bold colors and the strict shapes make them really appealing to the eye. It is impressive how many different pieces he can make out of mosaics.

Works Cited

Banksy. "Banksy." Web log post. Better Out Than In. Banksy, Oct. 2013. Web. Oct. 2013. <http://www.banksyny.com/>.

"Banksy: The "Biography" of a Graffiti Street Art Legend." RSS. Stencil Revolution, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. <http://www.stencilrevolution.com/profiles/about-banksy/>.

Invader Art, Paris. Personal photograph by author. N.d.

Invader. "CHEERS FROM SPACE." CHEERS FROM SPACE. Space-invaders.com, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.space-invaders.com/cheersfromspace>.

"Invader." Lazarides // Artists //. Lazarides, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.lazinc.com/artist/invader>.

Sewell, Brian. "Banksy Biography." Banksy Biography. Brian Sewell Art Directory, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.briansewell.com/artist/b-artist/banksy/banksy-biography.html>.

Banksy- 20 years of art and still anonymous

Banksy is one of the most popular, controversial street artist there is, he has also kept his identity unknown throughout the 20 years he has been putting at up on the streets of the world. Most of his art is political based and he does not respect laws on property and puts it up wherever he likes. He uses as stencil technique and is known to have somewhat a dark comedy.
One of his most recent "exhibitions" was spending the month of October in New York City, using its streets as his canvas. This was a very controversial month since the citizens of NYC were debating weather his art should be allowed in the streets or not, weather street art is real art or just vandalism. He would go out every single day of the month and do art in the streets and post it on his website where it was but not exact address so his fans and followers will  be in a hunt down the streets of New York looking for his art work before it was taken down by the police or by the property owners. He can also be very insulting to people because of his social and political statements he says through his work. But even though he is one of the longest lasting street artist and one of the most influential and amazing artist of the 21st century.

Works Cited

Banksy. "Banksy." Web log post. Better Out Than In. Banksy, Oct. 2013. Web. Oct. 2013. <http://www.banksyny.com/>.

"Banksy: The "Biography" of a Graffiti Street Art Legend." RSS. Stencil Revolution, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. <http://www.stencilrevolution.com/profiles/about-banksy/>.

Sewell, Brian. "Banksy Biography." Banksy Biography. Brian Sewell Art Directory, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. <http://www.briansewell.com/artist/b-artist/banksy/banksy-biography.html>.

ABOVE but Unkown

ABOVE is an international street artist who has decided to keep his identity unknown. He is american and he communicates with his audience through his website where he explains why he does every one of his pieces but does not want people to know who he is, because he believes that people shouldn't associate him with a person but with his art. He is a well known and recognized artist for his multi-layered, bold colored, social and political stencil, his iconic arrows and his big bolded lettered messages. No matter what media he choses most of his work have a strong influence and message in international political and social problems happening around the world.

 One work that gives a REALLY strong message is his mural in Johannesburg, South Africa. This was a huge risk because he did it right outside of Jewel City where inside there are the biggest diamond traders in the world and their state traders association, it is also the biggest exporter in the southern hemisphere exporting over 7 billion worth of diamonds every year. He did this in protest of the well known blood diamonds. It was really controversial and really opened a lot of people eyes, getting recognition from several different newspapers and blogs. This is just one of the hundreds of ways he goes against political and social issues around the world.

He is also well known for his famous arrows which try to give out the message of always looking at life in a positive outcome and try to make everything look up. He has puts hundre

ds of arrows all around the world trying to spread this message, one of the places with the most arrows is Miami, FL where he started putting them eiens legally to get the cops tricked and then finish with hundreds illegally. This is just some of the many risks that this artist takes spread his message around the world.

Works Cited

ABOVE. "ARROWS." Above.com. ABOVE, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://goabove.com/arrows_arrows_and_more_arrows.html>.

ABOVE. "ARROWS." Above.com. ABOVE, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://goabove.com/arrows_arrows_and_more_arrows.html>.

ABOVE. "Playing With Workds." Above.com. ABOVE, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://goabove.com/playingwithwords.html>.

Medina, Sarah. "ABOVE's Anti-Diamond Mural: Street Artist Tricks Diamond Exporter, Paints Controversial Message (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/13/above-anti-diamond-mural_n_1424092.html>.

Medina, Sarah. "ABOVE's Anti-Diamond Mural: Street Artist Tricks Diamond Exporter, Paints Controversial Message (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/13/above-anti-diamond-mural_n_1424092.html>.

OBEY: Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey is one of todays most recognized and influential street artist of the world. His career as a street artist started when he was exposed to skater community in 1989, while attending the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the most prestigous and challenging design schools, here he started his "André the Giant Has a Posse" campaign. This same campaign is what gave him recognition in the art community and later evolved to be known as the "Obey Giant" campaign. It has evolved throught the internet and social media and has been replicated in skater stickers, clothes, hats and more.
One of his most influential work has been his "HOPE" Obama poster releaed during the 2008 Obama campaign it has been recognized as one of the most influencial work and one of the best campaign techinques there is. Obama has always denied being associated to the release of the poster and its spread around the streets of the country. Fairey later recived a letter from Obama which said:
"I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to belive they can change the status-quo. yuour images hava e profound effect on people, weather seen in a gallery or on a stop sign. I am privileged to be part of your artwork and proud to have your support. I wish you continued success and creativity.
-Barack Obama, Febuary 22, 2008
This is one example of the many thousands there are of how street artist can influence the people and send their message across

Works Cited

Esaak, Shelley. "Artists in 60 Seconds: Shepard Fairey." About.com Art History. About.com, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://arthistory.about.com/od/namesff/p/fairey.htm>.

Fairey, Shepard. "THANK YOU, FROM BARACK OBAMA! - OBEY GIANT." Obey Giant. Obey, Feb. 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.obeygiant.com/headlines/check-it-out>.

Obama "HOPE" Posters in Streets. Personal photograph by author. 2008.<http://people.southwestern.edu/~bednarb/su_netWorks/projects/granger/discoursethree.html>

Obey has a posse Andre the Giant. Personal photograph by author. 2013.<http://www.notsolonelylondoners.com/2012/12/29/spotlight-on-obey/obey-has-a-posse/>

Pop, Iggy. "Shepard Fairey." InterviewMagazine.com. Interview Magazine-Art, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/shepard-fairey/>.

"Shepard Fairey." The Giant.Org. About.com, 23 Feb. 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://arthistory.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ>.

The Canvas of the City

Imagine you are walking down the streets of a crowded city, think New York, London or São Paulo, you feel the heat of the crowd, its noisy, everybody is moving fast, but if you stop for a second and look around you, you might notice that the walls have something on them. For a long time this paintings and arts that are exposed in the streets were considered vandalism and did not get much recognition in the art world, but recently this has been known as Urban Art. Urban comes from the latin word "urbanus" which means from the city meaning Urban Art is art from the city the art of the people, the art that the city brings with it. Urban Art is a way for people to express themselves and send their message across, a way for young artist to have a voice in the world and feel like they are making a change in the world. For example this piece of art is in Coney Island, NY made from a recognized street artist called Banksy a recognized anonymous street artist, in this particular piece he is trying to tell the message that we are all just robots doing the exact same thing in the world, in other words he is saying society are robots that just follow their leader and do not have a voice for themselves. So basically Urban Art is art exposed and displayed in the streets of cities were artists can express themselves and give a message to their followers weather it is anonymous or not. 

Works Cited

Banksy Street Art, Coney Island, New York, USA. Personal photograph by author. 2013.

"Urban Art." What Is. Osnat Fine Art, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://www.osnatfineart.com/urban-art.jsp>.

Ward, Ossian. "How Graffiti Became Art." Time Out. Time Out, 29 Jan. 2008. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://www.timeout.com/london/art/how-graffiti-became-art>.