http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/darfur
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/820864.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/10/sudan.darfur/index.html#cnnSTCText
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Darfur
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sudan_darfuroverview.html
All the above links are connected to the current Sudanese politics as well as the war in Darfur.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
New Year
will bring changes. Hopefully.
I just read an article about the current political situation in Sudan. I must admit I did know about this country's difficulties however I did not realise the extent of them. The president, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, seems not to accept any responsibility for the deaths of the country's civilians which is over 200,000 as the UN reports. Western media brought our attention to the issue as well, for example the BBC transmitted an interview with the president discussing the tribal conflicts and the civil war in the southern area of the country, as well as the unreasonable government's interventions in these kind of fights which only causes more deaths. After dismissing many of the journalist's questions the president concluded that the Sudanese government is for peace and it can not stand even one of it's citizens being killed unnecessarily. It is all empty words though and it did not fail to make me feel angry and powerless. Is there anything I could do to help to change the situation in Sudan for the better? I am guessing there is very little we could do apart from blogging about it and starting a worldwide discussion. There is so much to be done, even now in 2010.
I just read an article about the current political situation in Sudan. I must admit I did know about this country's difficulties however I did not realise the extent of them. The president, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, seems not to accept any responsibility for the deaths of the country's civilians which is over 200,000 as the UN reports. Western media brought our attention to the issue as well, for example the BBC transmitted an interview with the president discussing the tribal conflicts and the civil war in the southern area of the country, as well as the unreasonable government's interventions in these kind of fights which only causes more deaths. After dismissing many of the journalist's questions the president concluded that the Sudanese government is for peace and it can not stand even one of it's citizens being killed unnecessarily. It is all empty words though and it did not fail to make me feel angry and powerless. Is there anything I could do to help to change the situation in Sudan for the better? I am guessing there is very little we could do apart from blogging about it and starting a worldwide discussion. There is so much to be done, even now in 2010.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Biblography, References, Websites
Bibliography :
Banksy, (2005), Wall and Piece, London, Random House
Palmer, R., (2008), Street Art Chile, London, Eight Books Limited
References :
Banksy, (2002), Existencilism, London, Weapons of Mass Distraction
Banksy, (2001), Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall, London, Weapons of Mass Distraction
Bull, M., (2007), Banksy Locations and Tours, London, TU ink
Websites:
www.banksy.co.uk
www.picturesonwalls.com
www.space-invaders.com
www.bleklerat.fr
www.faile.net
www.dface.co.uk
www.wikipedia.com
Banksy, (2005), Wall and Piece, London, Random House
Palmer, R., (2008), Street Art Chile, London, Eight Books Limited
References :
Banksy, (2002), Existencilism, London, Weapons of Mass Distraction
Banksy, (2001), Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall, London, Weapons of Mass Distraction
Bull, M., (2007), Banksy Locations and Tours, London, TU ink
Websites:
www.banksy.co.uk
www.picturesonwalls.com
www.space-invaders.com
www.bleklerat.fr
www.faile.net
www.dface.co.uk
www.wikipedia.com
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Conclusion
In general, graffiti is considered a crime against private or public property. It is also believed that it causes the “broken window effect” which states that minor crimes like vandalism encourage more serious crimes to be taking place in the effected area. However, by studying the art work of Banksy as well as Chilean street art, I have demonstrated that graffiti has another side to it - art. The ideas presented on our city walls make us reconsider certain aspects of the modern society, they stimulate changes even if it is just by starting the thinking process.
Banksy’s approach towards the issue of graffiti being against the law could potentially shock some:
“ Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.“
The above quotation features in “ Wall and Piece”, a book dedicated to documenting his street art before it gets taken away or simply pained over by the authorities. The artist’s style is illustrated in an excellent manner in this publication which makes it truly inspiring to anyone with slightest interest in the arts or the modern world in general. The most prominent reason for that is, the fact that Banksy’s work seem to find some sort of connection to global politics or morality and also the artist has got a point of view which I find rather interesting. Through his work he fights corruption and draws the attention of the public to issues of highest importance. What impresses me most about it, is the way he manages to find a special way to connect those serious problems to humour. The ironic approach to the police or the war never fails to surprise the audience while making sure it will stay in their memory for a long time.
On the other hand, the second book I studied develops an overall approach towards street art. It seems to present to whole picture of it and the ways it has developed in one country, in this case Chile. It has been really interesting to observe the process of graffiti being introduced and then developed into something unique, a style that is only to be found in that country. Considering Chile’s geographical location it is understandable that most of its street art influences come from the neighbouring countries or otherwise other South American countries. However recently, more and more European connections are to be found on the walls of Santiago and the big cities of Chile. Blek le Rat and Banksy had their own influence on some of Chilean graffiti artists as well. I found it incredible to discover how many connections are made between street artists globally. Everyone in the industry seems to be aware of what is happening on the graffiti scene in different countries, on the opposite ends of the planet.
I love street art, I adore most of its aspects. The unexpectedness of it’s designs, colours, shapes, patterns and characters as well as the randomness of its places of presentation. In my opinion, there is something that connects street art, especially graffiti to shamanism. I do not quite understand this part yet, probably because I have not experienced the emotion of the artist behind the work. I have no idea how amazing the rush of it feels and how much satisfaction it gives to its author. I guess I will never know fully how it feels. Not unless I try it for real.
Banksy’s approach towards the issue of graffiti being against the law could potentially shock some:
“ Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.“
The above quotation features in “ Wall and Piece”, a book dedicated to documenting his street art before it gets taken away or simply pained over by the authorities. The artist’s style is illustrated in an excellent manner in this publication which makes it truly inspiring to anyone with slightest interest in the arts or the modern world in general. The most prominent reason for that is, the fact that Banksy’s work seem to find some sort of connection to global politics or morality and also the artist has got a point of view which I find rather interesting. Through his work he fights corruption and draws the attention of the public to issues of highest importance. What impresses me most about it, is the way he manages to find a special way to connect those serious problems to humour. The ironic approach to the police or the war never fails to surprise the audience while making sure it will stay in their memory for a long time.
On the other hand, the second book I studied develops an overall approach towards street art. It seems to present to whole picture of it and the ways it has developed in one country, in this case Chile. It has been really interesting to observe the process of graffiti being introduced and then developed into something unique, a style that is only to be found in that country. Considering Chile’s geographical location it is understandable that most of its street art influences come from the neighbouring countries or otherwise other South American countries. However recently, more and more European connections are to be found on the walls of Santiago and the big cities of Chile. Blek le Rat and Banksy had their own influence on some of Chilean graffiti artists as well. I found it incredible to discover how many connections are made between street artists globally. Everyone in the industry seems to be aware of what is happening on the graffiti scene in different countries, on the opposite ends of the planet.
I love street art, I adore most of its aspects. The unexpectedness of it’s designs, colours, shapes, patterns and characters as well as the randomness of its places of presentation. In my opinion, there is something that connects street art, especially graffiti to shamanism. I do not quite understand this part yet, probably because I have not experienced the emotion of the artist behind the work. I have no idea how amazing the rush of it feels and how much satisfaction it gives to its author. I guess I will never know fully how it feels. Not unless I try it for real.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Review, Part 2
Rod Palmer, “Street Art Chile”.
This publication takes you on a journey to discover a whole new and unique graffiti style as well as the exiting country of Chile itself. The reasons I decided to focus on the subject of South American street art is rather understandable: after discussing Banksy and British style and influences, I felt the need to compare and contrast those to something entirely different yet as engaging. Though out my experience with Chilean graffiti I was shocked, mesmerized and left thinking about issues I have not considered in depth before. It’s truly inspiring and ever since I discovered its power Chile, especially Santiago, made it to the top of my potential travel desires.
Firstly, I would like to mention briefly the initial Mexican influence on Chilean street art. It has been Mexico that encouraged the government of Chile to sponsor a series of propaganda murals to be painted in every state primary and secondary school of the country. After this project, that turned out to be satisfying to the authorities, a whole new movement of propaganda graffiti started. The competition between the two main candidates for president at the time "adored" the walls of the bigger cities of Chile.
Since when the political street art begun in the mid 1960s many new artists were born and Chilean art experienced a boom, which was only to be expected, as graffiti was one of the most exiting but also important means of expressing one’s political or moral believes. Nowadays, the influence and inspirations of modern day Chilean “graffiteros” changed its direction and focus on TV programs or music subcultures rather then criticism towards the polititians. Many cartoon characters, including Disneye's favourites are easily found though out the county depending on each region, with specific insensitivity in the capital. On the other hand, many of the graffiti crews try to popularise their preferable music style which is often westernised to a very high degree.
Piguan has to be named as one of my favourite local street artist. His bold and bright pieces seem to be influenced by European cubists as well as the classic artists of the Renaissance. What I like most about this artist is his choice of colour and imagery as well as the subject matters which in all their simplicity never fail to make an impression on the viewer. Freedom, love, sex and drunkenness are ones of his favourite subjects to spray about and all of those include an element of surrealism and fun that attracts the general public and encourages discussions. Text is one the very characteristic aspects of the artists work: his childlike lettering and a poor choice of vocabulary suggest a sense of carelessness and a certain type of grown up playfulness with compliments the visual imagery to a truly satisfying extent. Personally, I would recommend looking at his big city murals as well as the less known pieces form the downtown because it is only by studying the both that we are able to fully appreciate his unique style.
In my conclusion, I wish to underline the importance of graffiti in Chile. Its role seems to exceed what is commonly expected of street art. It breaks boundaries between art and politics, giving anyone a chance to fight for their own opinion and take part in the global argument. It makes Chileans feel included in the modern day discussions as well as it reminds of their country’s past.
This publication takes you on a journey to discover a whole new and unique graffiti style as well as the exiting country of Chile itself. The reasons I decided to focus on the subject of South American street art is rather understandable: after discussing Banksy and British style and influences, I felt the need to compare and contrast those to something entirely different yet as engaging. Though out my experience with Chilean graffiti I was shocked, mesmerized and left thinking about issues I have not considered in depth before. It’s truly inspiring and ever since I discovered its power Chile, especially Santiago, made it to the top of my potential travel desires.
Firstly, I would like to mention briefly the initial Mexican influence on Chilean street art. It has been Mexico that encouraged the government of Chile to sponsor a series of propaganda murals to be painted in every state primary and secondary school of the country. After this project, that turned out to be satisfying to the authorities, a whole new movement of propaganda graffiti started. The competition between the two main candidates for president at the time "adored" the walls of the bigger cities of Chile.
Since when the political street art begun in the mid 1960s many new artists were born and Chilean art experienced a boom, which was only to be expected, as graffiti was one of the most exiting but also important means of expressing one’s political or moral believes. Nowadays, the influence and inspirations of modern day Chilean “graffiteros” changed its direction and focus on TV programs or music subcultures rather then criticism towards the polititians. Many cartoon characters, including Disneye's favourites are easily found though out the county depending on each region, with specific insensitivity in the capital. On the other hand, many of the graffiti crews try to popularise their preferable music style which is often westernised to a very high degree.
Piguan has to be named as one of my favourite local street artist. His bold and bright pieces seem to be influenced by European cubists as well as the classic artists of the Renaissance. What I like most about this artist is his choice of colour and imagery as well as the subject matters which in all their simplicity never fail to make an impression on the viewer. Freedom, love, sex and drunkenness are ones of his favourite subjects to spray about and all of those include an element of surrealism and fun that attracts the general public and encourages discussions. Text is one the very characteristic aspects of the artists work: his childlike lettering and a poor choice of vocabulary suggest a sense of carelessness and a certain type of grown up playfulness with compliments the visual imagery to a truly satisfying extent. Personally, I would recommend looking at his big city murals as well as the less known pieces form the downtown because it is only by studying the both that we are able to fully appreciate his unique style.
In my conclusion, I wish to underline the importance of graffiti in Chile. Its role seems to exceed what is commonly expected of street art. It breaks boundaries between art and politics, giving anyone a chance to fight for their own opinion and take part in the global argument. It makes Chileans feel included in the modern day discussions as well as it reminds of their country’s past.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Monday, 23 November 2009
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