bloke – Vandalog – A Street Art Blog

May 25, 2009January 10, 2011

From letters to logos

I touched on this issue the other day, but I thought there was more to be said and some examples to be given.

There are a few graffiti writers who are blurring the line between graffiti and street art by painting trademark characters or symbols instead of, or in addition to, their names. Of course, painting characters has been around since the earliest days of graffiti, but in recent years, certain crews and writers have taken that a step further.

Here are a few examples of writers who I think are really pioneering a new form of character based graffiti. I think it could, and should, be one important direction for graffiti and street art in the coming years.

Katsu. Photo by Sabeth718 — Katsu. Photo by sabeth718

More after the jump… Continue reading “From letters to logos”

May 21, 2009

Avoid, Bloke and Faro @ Factory Fresh

Factory Fresh has an interesting show starting soon. It features Avoid, Bloke, and Faro; three guys who are really changing the face of New York graffiti. I completely agree with this press release in that the more graphic form of graffiti these artists represent is the next wave, and is poised to become even more important in the coming years.

Factory Fresh and Mighty Tanaka present:

2012

Featuring

AVOID, BLOKE and FARO

Friday, June 5th 7-10pm
Opens during Bushwick Open Studio Weekend. If you haven’t checked out our new neighborhood this is the weekend to do it. It will also be Factory Fresh’s First Year Anniversary.

This June AVOID, BLOKE and FARO converge at Factory Fresh, bringing with them an assorted collection of unique styles that exemplify the next generation of NYC street art and graffiti. The three artists known on the streets for ridiculously massive tags, culturally inspired graffiti and paper airplanes and airships have caught many peoples eye in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. On June 5th they will present their artwork as a group in a gallery for the first time.

The show is based on the year 2012, which represents a notion of change and transition within the world, marking the end of the Mayan calendar. Many view this year with apprehension, prophesying apocalypse, climate meltdown or a spiritual awakening. Currently, through the economic crisis and constant warfare, an artistic shift has taken place on the streets of New York City. Artists AVOID, BLOKE and FARO signify a changing of the guard in graffiti and street art. Meshing these two individual cultures into one, these three artists represent the overall change of how individuals view street art and graffiti, bringing it together as one.

AVOID, BLOKE and FARO have been constant contributors to the painted interpretation of the urban environment for many years now. Each artist has developed a text-based style as well as iconic imagery that have become ubiquitous details within our daily lives. Through blending their ideals and styles, they have created a symbolized view of the streets that transcends one world and ushers in another.

As we approach this time of great change, the 2012 show places the viewer in the middle of the transformation, setting about on an adventure through a shifting paradigm of the world. It seeks to enlighten and project the change that is constantly around us with the progression of both society and art.

Show runs till June 21st

December 23, 2008October 1, 2012

Great in ’08: Peru Ana Ana Peru Says…

As part of Vandalog’s “Great in ’08” series, which will be running every day for the rest of the month. Check out previous posts here. Street artists from across the world have been given one post to give away to one artist who they feel has been doing great work recently. Today it’s Peru Ana Ana Peru‘s turn.

Who is one artist doing really great work right now?

Peru Ana Ana Peru: it’s hard to pick one, as there are so many, but we’d have to say that we are quite fond of the work going up by the ADHD Kids at the moment. they seem to be trying to go their own way in the graff scene, and that’s nice. faro, bloke, anthrax, naks, venom, etc. they’ve got great style, and their letterings are dope.

ADHD Truck — ADHD Kids. Photo by Atomische.com

See photos of work by the ADHD Kids work after the jump… Continue reading “Great in ’08: Peru Ana Ana Peru Says…”