Blog

Graffiti is comprised of different elements with tags the most basic form. Tags date back to the beginning of time when marks were left as a form of “I was here”. The tag is simply a moniker typically written in modern times with a marker or spray. In times past the tools might have been a candle or carving implement.

Tags tends be one of the more irritating and unsightly forms of graffiti defacing public and private buildings and property, public transportation, postal, utility and garbage boxes. With one quick stoke of the pen ones name can be bombed all over the place. Yes it costs time and money to clean it up. But is it all truly bad and malicious with no artistic merit?

A wall filled with tags looks like an eye sore until closer inspection reveals different styles of writing. Tags after all are a style of writing. Some are rooted in graffiti styles that originated in different parts of the country while others might be unique to the writer. There are tags that are more legible and flow better than others.

When is a tag more than a tag and elevated to handstyle? By definition they are synonymous. Though from our perspective it is when the tag conveys panache where the person is saying I am not only here. I have a unique style perfected through experimentation and practice that causes you to stand up and take notice. In the eyes of a graffiti writer that would be a dope tag.

We have taken many photos of tags and handstyles frequently on pieces and murals since that is our focus. You will have to make the determination if they are just a nuisance tag or a handstyle with artistic merit.

Apexer and Mike Giant are passionate about the topic of handstyles and their own. Both these artists recently made public appearances in San Francisco. Last week Apexer painted a new mural in The Haight that is all about handstyle and Mike Giant finished a show at FFDG. They both have made short handstyle videos where they discuss the history and demonstrate their own style. (more…)

On the corner of Eddy and Larkin, a block or two from Civic Center is a large rectangle building several stories high with no windows and covered with panels of pebble stone slabs. It is a PG&E substation that neither adds nor detracts from the landscape.

Almost a year ago one side of the building became an outdoor art gallery adorned with murals of past and present images depicting significant people and places in the Tenderloin. PG&E was approached with a proposal to engage the public in a pictorial dialog with the Tenderloin. Students at the Academy of Art under the direction of faculty instructor Carol Nunnelly researched the history of the Tenderloin and painted 13 murals. Their time was donated. PG&E provided the supplies and contributed to the Academy of Art Scholarship Fund.

 

• Aunt Charlies Lounge is a gay bar with nightly drag queen performances.
• The Tenderloin is home to a small but vibrant Vietnamese community. A two block area on Larkin is officially known as Little Saigon and is lined with a variety of small shops and restaurants.
• The Cadillac Hotel on Eddy St is a historic building built after the 1906 earthquake. It is the oldest non profit single residence occupancy (SRO) west of the Mississippi founded by the late Leroy Looper.
• The Tenderloin National Forest is a charming little park nestled in a small alley formerly known as Cohen Alley off Ellis St.

 

• Children of the Neighborhood,
• Vanguard Street Sweep was a protest in 1966 staged by GLBT youth who lived in the neighborhood and felt disenfranchised by society.
• The Wally Heider’s Recording Studio was established in 1969 to support the budding SF music community. Music groups like the Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and The Grateful Dead needed a convenient local recording studio. It was open until 1980.
• Rev. Cecil Williams of Glide Memorial Church

 

• In the early 1900’s some local businessmen determined it would be lucrative to purchase films and rent them to the local cinemas congregated on Market Street. They set up Film Exchanges in several Tenderloin buildings.
• Blackhawk Jazz Club was a jazz nightclub located on Turk and Hyde from 1949 to 1963 where well known jazz artists and groups played like Billy Holiday and Lester Young and Dave Brubeck.
• 1906 Earthquake
• There was a time when America watched boxing night on television. It was truly a golden period for boxing when Billy Newman opened the Newman Gym on Leavenworth. “In the 1970s Newmans Gym was one of the oldest standing boxing gym in the US”

For more information about the creation of the murals visit: PG&E

Is art child’s play? A scribble here, a dash of color there affixed on paper,canvas or wall, a pile of rocks, a photograph, a folded paper. It is art at least in the eyes of the beholders, including the creator. When does it become more than that retaining value, worth, possession, recognition and unexpected legalities? Be you the creator or the viewer everyone is impacted as these intangible assets are perceived, coveted and acted on. At any given time we may be the creator, viewer or both and subject to laws we have no idea exist that protect and impede.

Even something as innocuous as photographing a street art mural or graffiti, an unknown person on the street, a building, or country scene and sharing it with others can lead to legal consequences.

Since we have been documenting street art we have received a continuum of emails asking us if permission is needed to take photos and movies of street art, shoot commercials driving by street art and selling photos of street art. We have also been contacted to arrange for artists to create art at events and businesses. These are all legal matters.

There has been a number of incidents involving artists who create art in the San Francisco Bay Area where their or others rights may have been breached. Each incident has a different twist that leads to interpretation and dealing with the contract and copyright laws. Following are a few examples:

Art created by Jessica Hess that falls under “Fair Use”

San Francisco based artist Jessica Hess captures street art and graffiti in their natural setting using oil on canvas and gouache on paper that can be acquired through Hashimoto Contemporary and Spoke Art in San Francisco. We asked her how copyright laws impact her art.

In my art I aim to not only capture fleeting images of our cities’ derelict structures but also to pay tribute to the amazing public art collaboration that is street art. My paintings include the artwork of hundreds of graffiti and street artists who inspire me. The goal of these writers is to be seen… to get up and stay up. My paintings become a means for those artists to have their work run forever, even after it’s been buffed or covered up on the street. I hope street artists can take it as a compliment when their art appears in mine, graffiti and street artists contribute so much to the vibrancy and beautification of our cities.

While copyright is a concern for all artists, the way in which I include these public works falls under fair use. “Fair use” is not simply a copy of someone else’s work, it must also be the product of the author’s creativity. When I include works I find on the street, I am not claiming authorship of those cameos, and more importantly, I am not using anything out of context, something I think is incredibly important out of respect for the original artists. I am a city-scape painter who is staying true to her subject: wheat-pastes, stickers, spray paint, and all.

Art created using a Photograph taken by another person

Artist Shepard Fairey used a photo by Mannie Garcia of AP “Associated Press” to create his famous 2008 Obama Hope poster. In 2009 AP challenged Fairey in his use of the photo stating it infringed on copyright issues. Barack Obama Poster. See outcome when you click on Shepard Fairey name.

Art printed & sold without artist knowledge – labeled as Banksy

At the end of 2013 while Oakland based Eddie Colla was curating and participating in a group show called Made in China at Ian Ross Gallery which explored the value of art and intellectual property when he discovered his own art for sale at Walmart.com and labeled Banksy art. Read: It is Only Stealing if you get Caught

Mural basis of merchandise line by Italian Designer

In 2014 Reyes, Revok and Steel sued Italian clothing designer Roberto Cavalli for creating a line of merchandise based their mural in San Francisco Soma. Their suit acquised him of copyright infringement and violation of the Lanham Act. Read article Graffiti artists fight copying fashion brands

Photograph of street art sold as artwork in Art Gallery

Polish Artist Yola visited San Francisco several years ago to paste up her Renaissance inspired art. In 2014 she discovered a photography exhibit where a closeup photo of her artwork was on display for sale. Read about the incident Yola Art

Art rights when art done illegally

In 2010 Banksy swept though San Francisco leaving several illegal stencils on buildings around San Francisco. Most of them were buffed over by the owners in compliance with anti-graffiti laws. One in the Haight was saved by a local resident and street art enthusiast who sought permission to save it prior destruction and promised not to sell it. Learn its’ current disposition: Banksy Haight Mural

What are the art laws and what is your art worth?

What are the legalities of creating, owning, using, photographing artwork and the consequences of dealing with illegal art and reproductions ? These are topics most people don’t intentionally seek out until they find themselves in need of legal advise or counsel. Several art loving attorneys established Art Law Journal, a blog to raise awareness of issues everyone who creates art should learn about. Their blog may not be the end all but it may be the beginning of your thought process when engaged in activities that are an extension of the art. Following is a sampling of some articles.

equity crowdfunding art,
visual art ownership
low risk gambit stealing instagram photo
6 copyrights street art
planning registration copyright office

Stenciled art is commonly found on the streets of San Francisco. Some stencils are as simple as text messages frequently done on the sidewalks and sometimes of a commercial nature. Others are more creative and found on sidewalks and walls. Some of those stencils are readily recognized as having been done by local artists likeEclair Bandersnatch (Political/Social), Fnnch (Honey Bear),Jeremy Novy (Fish), Sash (Analog Monsters) and Todd Hanson (eclectic). Stencils are also used in the creation of murals by CK1, Kate DeCiccio, Eddie Colla,Xavi Panneton,Romanowski, Jessica Sabogal and Mike Shine to name a few.

We discovered this video “Making stencils with Mike Shine”. Filmed at his country “shack” in West Marin, it features him and family making stencils and demonstrating how to spray them effectively on a surface.

You don’t need an invitation to be an artist. You don’t need to wait to take a class or for someone to teach you. You can learn it on your own. It is not that hard. If you are curious you will get better and better and learn new materials and techniques and so forth.

This video shows how a large scale stencil is done using multiple layered in stencils. A photo of the finished stencil is at top of this post

No time like today to begin.

Mission Art 415 is now offering street art walking tours of Osage, Lilac and Cypress Alleys along the 24th and Mission Street corridor in the Mission District of San Francisco, Ca. These alleys are part of The Lilac Mural Project. They showcase a mix of hundreds of commissioned murals and graffiti pieces by local and international artists. The art is ever changing with something new almost every week.

The Tours

The Lilac Mural Project was founded by Mission Art 415 over 10 years ago. The tours are professionally curated by the founders who meet and observe many of the artists spray and brush painting their artwork. Mission Art 415 has also organized block parties to bring the local community and artists together as well as two International Meeting of Styles (MOS). They are in the process of hosting another MOS in 2016. As strong supporters of the art community, they bring the art alive with their insightful knowledge of the artists, their styles and the local art community.

Additional attractions include the history of the Mission District as well as spotlighting independent businesses such as Dianda’s Bakery, Mission Pie, Anthony’s Cookies and La Taqueria.

Tour Details

Where: Lilac Alley @ 24th Street close to the 24th Street Bart Station and Mission St bus line.

Length: Approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Time: Rain or shine 7 days a week 8am-7pm.

Price: $15.00 a person, special interest groups and schools welcome.

Artist painting and interviews upon request $25.00 a person.

To book a tour and request additional info:
Lisa Brewer
415.505.7222
Lisabrewer415@gmail.com

Sneak Peak of Lilac

The art is constantly changing in all the alleys.
Lilac Alley

During 2015, Street Art SF photographed over 1600 pieces of art on the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. They ranged from small stickers and stencils to graffiti characters and large murals and pieces. Almost all of the art shown was done in 2015. Major contributions were made by Graff Hunter, West by Midwest Photography and Nite Owl.

Last week we reviewed the most popular art we posted on Tumblr. This week we reviewed the art shown on Facebook. Since Facebook only retains a rolling six months worth of exportable data, we looked at the number of views for July to December of art we photographed to determine which pieces were the most popular. They are shown from most popular.

During 2015, Street Art SF photographed over 1600 pieces of art on the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. They ranged from small stickers and stencils to graffiti characters and large murals and pieces. Almost all of the art shown was done in 2015. Major photo contributions were made by Graff Hunter, West by Midwest Photography and Nite Owl.

We looked at the number of likes and re-blogs on tumblr to determine which pieces were the most popular. Notably there were quite a few artists who were consistent heavy “hitters” but did not have art in top posts. The art is shown in alpha order.

Earlier this month Heron Arts hosted a New Orleans event in their gallery on Berwick Alley in San Francisco Soma. It spoke to the senses of hearing, smelling, seeing, and tasting featuring the Rebirth Brass Band, Cajun cooking and artists inspired by New Orleans. The artworks were open for several days for public viewing. Local artist Mike Shine provided live outside entertainment painting a mural in his characteristic color palette on the Heron Alley side of their building. While he was not the main entertainment at this venue it reflected his concept of art as an experience.

For Mike Shine art is alive. These past few years he has participated in the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival creating and performing in an outdoor installation revue. Since he transitioned away from his full time job, with BSSP a local ad agency he founded, he has become a fixture in the local art scene captivating art lovers with his interactive installations in galleries and on the street art with his nostalgic clowns and carnival themes.

For me art is a room, art is an area, not just what is on the wall. Because for me the experience is that when you walk into the room I like to create those rooms, those spaces, not just stuff to hang on someone else’s walls. I kind of just look at a museum or gallery as a blank canvas and go in there and make it look like something different.

This recently released video produced by Creative Lives features Mike Shine as he prepared for a 2010 installation he created at 941 Geary that included films, live music, games and interactive mixed media.

MIKE SHINE FEATURE – The Creative Lives Season 2 from The Creative Lives on Vimeo.

About Mike Shine and Creative Lives

Check out other art we have found on the street and find his website and Facebook: Mike Shine

Learn more about Creative Lives and watch other videos
The Creative Lives
G Lewis Heslet

Helen Bryant is pleased to announce that Cultural Vistas is now accepting applications for our Celebrate the Connections international arts exchange program. Funded by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, Celebrate the Connections is a creative arts exchange that will send six U.S. artists who specialize in the urban arts to India in January 2016 (Jan 23 – Feb 9) for a teaching, learning, and performance tour across four cities. The purpose of the program is to foster cross-cultural dialogue and inspire creative collaboration between artist communities using the growing global influence of urban arts. You can find out more about the program on their website: Cultural vistas .

They are recruiting a cohort of six U.S. artists from across the across the U.S. to travel to India for a 15-day program in Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. This multi-segment program provides U.S. artists with a unique opportunity to collaborate, teach, and perform in communities across India, exploring the influence of the urban arts in a global context with artists and communities in both countries. The program consists of a virtual pre-program (December 2015), the travel program (Jan 23 – Feb 9, 2015), and post-program activities (Feb – May, 2016) that include the production of a program documentary and the participation of two artists in the post-India showcase to take place in Washington, DC in May 2016.

They are seeking applications from a diverse pool of artists representing various genres of urban art, including but not limited to: music, dramatic arts, spoken word, visual arts, and dance. Applicants may include, among others: professional and community artists, undergraduates, graduate students, educators, arts administrators, and nonprofit professionals. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be 18 years or older at the time of application.

International airfare, lodging in India, health and accident insurance, daily stipend, and an art supply stipend are included in the program at no expense to the artists.

Link to Applications . The deadline to apply is Monday, November 9, 2015.

Please direct questions or request for more information to Helen Bryant at hbryant@culturalvistas.org or Katja Kurz at kkurz@culturalvistas.org.

No Public Asian American Arts Space in SF?
Asian American Women Artists Association Has an Answer!

SAN FRANCISCO, October 10, 2015 – San Francisco has long been the epicenter of Asian American life and culture. The oldest running Asian American arts nonprofit was founded here, the city has the nation’s largest yearly Asian film festival, it is the birthplace of Asian American studies, and Asians make up about one third of the city’s population. And yet, there’s no Asian American public art space in San Francisco. In addition, the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center functions as a virtual center that programs arts events at various venues throughout the city.

When Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA) embarked upon celebrating its 25th anniversary, it pondered the same question. And now, the organization has an appropriate response…

This summer, AAWAA plans to unveil its first mural honoring Asian American women artists in San Francisco’s Richmond District. For AAWAA, it’s a way to commemorate its jubilee year, while claiming a physical and visual public space. We ultimately want to raise the visibility of a community that has made so many historical contributions to this city.

They have teamed up with local and well-respected Asian American women muralists Cece Carpio and Erin Yoshi (who just finished curating and painting a series of murals at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts). With their expertise, AAWAA artists and community members will envision, craft, and paint a mural befitting of our organization’s legacy with hopes to inspire many generations of artists to come.

AAWAA is currently raising funds for the project. Check out the campaign at Mura lMuses .

WHAT/WHO
MURAL MUSES
Asian American Women Artists Association commissions the first mural honoring Asian American women in the arts. Slated for summer 2016 in San Francisco’s Richmond District to be painted by artists Cece Carpio and Erin Yoshi.

WHEN
Summer 2016

WHERE
The Richmond District, San Francisco

FOR MORE INFO
Mural Muses

PHOTOS
Excellent large, high-resolution mural mockups (300dpi photos) available at:
Flicker

PRESS CONTACT
Melanie Elvena
melanie@aawaa.net
650.580.7818

ABOUT AAWAA
Asian American Women Artists Association is the leading organization representing Asian American women in the arts for social change. Its mission is to ensure the visibility, documentation, and well-being of Asian American women artists. Visit AAWAA for more information.

ARTISTS BIOS
Cece Carpio – From the islands of the Philippines and now back in the Bay Area,Cece Carpio paints people and places working towards a more dignified existence. Using acrylic, ink, aerosol and installations, her work tells stories of immigration, ancestry, resistance and resilience. She documents evolving traditions by combining folkloric forms, bold portraits and natural elements with urban art techniques. She has produced and exhibited work in the Philippines, Fiji Islands, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Italy, Norway and throughout the United States. She has previously been awarded the New York Foundation of the Art Immigrant Artist Fellowship, a teaching resideny at Café R.E.D & La Botica Espacio Cultural at Xela, Guetemala, and recently was awarded a residency with KulArts at SOMA San Francisco– the premier presenter of contemporary and tribal Pilipino arts in the United States–. She has also guest lecture at New School in New York, California College of the Arts in Oakland, and produced work for the Multicultural Community Center at UC Berkeley. Cece Carpio is currently working with Juana Alicia in the True Colors Mural Project at Berkeley City College sponsored by Earth Island Institute and teaching arts education at East Oakland School of the Arts. She can often be found collaborating with her crew, Trust Your Struggle, teaching, and traveling around the world in pursuit of the perfect wall.

Erin Yoshi – Born in Los Angeles and now residing in Oakland, CA, Erin’s artwork goes beyond the easel. Her artwork is a reflection of her journey through the contradictions of life amplifying the beautiful, the raw, and the downright ugly. The work is rooted in her historic cultural memories and informed by current global conditions. She uses her creative practice to inspire, engage and transform space. Yoshi’s work encompasses abstract color vibrations with figurative storytelling. Through her practice, she strives to create hope and lines of camaraderie. Yoshi is a member of The Trust Your Struggle Collective (US), COI (LA), and APC (Colombia). She holds an MBA in International Sustainability. She previously managed two public art non-profits as the Executive Director of the Estria Foundation and the Interim Director of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles. Yoshi has left her imprint creating murals in: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Colombia, Chile, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands and across the United States.

AAWAA’s Jubilee Project – #MuralMuses: The First Mural Honoring Asian American Women in the Arts

AAWAA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary on 11.14.15 – Tickets Now on Sale! #AAWAATurns25

During mid August in San Francisco we watched preparations for KAABOO a ‘mixperience’ festival that was set to begin on September 18th at Del Mar south of Los Angeles. Amanda Lynn along with other San Francisco based artists painted several immense canvas that were temporarily hung on Market at 8th St for installation at stages and entrances to the festival. KAABOO recently released press about the festival that was curated by San Francisco based Amanda Lynn and showcased many San Francisco Bay Area artists.

KAABOO Del Mar recently proudly announced the unprecedented success of its KAABOO ArtworK Experience — a massive array of fine art, street art, and sculptural movements from renowned contemporary artists, galleries, and organizations that traveled to Del Mar, California from around the globe. The festival’s ArtworK component included eye-catching fine art design on entryways, structures, and KAABOO’s seven stages that hosted over 100 bands, including headliners No Doubt, The Killers, and Zac Brown Band. In addition, ten thirty-foot-tall custom, hand-painted canvas murals towered over crowds, commanding viewplanes throughout the fairgrounds. KAABOO Del Mar proved its intention to become a force in the contemporary art scene, showcasing art as a dominant element of the entire KAABOO ‘mixperience,’ unlike any other festival in the world.

The inaugural ArtworK experience featured an art fair, live mural painting, intricate sculpture installations, live canvas work, and unique pop-up exhibitions by globally acclaimed artists and galleries such as: Aaron Glasson, Amandalynn, Apex, Brendan Monroe, Celeste Byers, David Young V, Dirty Bandits, Distinction Gallery, Erik Otto, HOT TEA, Hueman, Ian Ross, Jade Rivera, Jet Martinez, Kamea Hadar, Kelly Ording, Lucien Shapiro, Luna Rienne Gallery, Marcas Gallery, Minka Sicklinger, N.C. Winters, 111 Minna Gallery, Pangeaseed, Rocha Art, Tatiana Suarez, Victor Roman, and many more.

The overall experience reached exciting, new boundaries due to the expansive artistic vision of KAABOO’s Art Director and featured artist, San Francisco-based artist Amandalynn.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to curate and participate in such an amazing event,” remarked Amandalynn. “The passion and dedication of every artist, gallery, and muralist involved showed a collective desire to physically express the importance of visual arts,” she added.

Working alongside the exceptional design team of Joe Styles and Marian Morioka, Amandalynn sought to push the envelope, creating a unique, in-depth look into a massive array of contemporary fine art, street art, and sculptural movements. Her creative vision and execution, showcased alongside KAABOO Del Mar’s world-class music, incredible cuisine, craft libations, and personal indulgences, spawned more buzz than the festival could have imagined for just one of their six ‘Experiences.’

KAABOO ArtworK is on the verge of what is soon to be a massive artistic explosion, proving that visual stimulation is an undeniable necessity in creating a truly encompassing experience in the festival world.

Follow @kaabooartwork on Instagram and check out our limited edition fine art prints and merchandise on Kaaboo Shop.

All content for this article was provided by KAABOO.