08/01/2007 From Martha Runyon: "Graffiti - Vandalism or Art?" A Community-Interactive Forum at the Artworks Gallery with a slide-show presentation by Jon Naar, author of the recently published The Birth of Graffiti , local graffiti artist/teacher Leon Rainbow, Classics Bookstore co-owner/community activist Laurice Reynolds, and moderator/artist Kate Graves. See the current gallery exhibition featuring legal graffiti from many regional artists. Art made on the street is often overlooked as a viable art expression, especially if it is considered illegal. Yet travelling the train lines, highways and inner cities of New Jersey one finds an active and vital grafitti art movement taking place. It is not an accident that in these often neglected, raw or industrial spaces graffiti finds a home. Graffiti's colorful vibrancy and imagery can be viewed as a counterpoint to these surroundings.
The shadows of New York and Philadelphia loom large over much of New Jersey's cultural scene. New Jersey Graf sets the record straight. About Graffiti The origin of the word "graffiti" is "graffio," the singular of "scratch" in Italian (to make scratches is "graffire," the verb). Today's grafitti is a highly evolved mark-making; one needs to spend time studying the differences that distinguish each artist. First begun in the form of 'tags'--signatures and signs made with spray paint in public places-graffiti art has evolved as a creative expression, often although not always, charged with political meaning. About the Artists New Jersey Graf highlights legal grafitti and features unique styles and innovations made by some of New Jersey's finest- Ache, Amose, Anthrax, Azma, Ricardo Barros, Byas, Chum, Cose, Demer, Dezo, Dosel, East, Hueman, Jrep, Kasso, Kastor, Koin, Macho, Mek, Naks, Navel, Nome , Plan, Pro, Leon Rainbow, Sand, Sgod, Sife, Soco, Space-1134, Stie, Swine, and Year. Grafitti artists also create in groups, called crews. NJ Graf includes the following crews ADHD, BPK, DITL, FH, VS, Wallnuts, to name a few. Curated by Leon Rainbow. Gallery Hours Saturdays, Noon to 4 pm and by appointment. Through August 17, 2007. Location: 19 Everett Alley at Stockton Street (across from Motor Vehicle building). Mill Hill, Trenton, NJ 08611 . Ample free parking. Easily accessible from Routes 1, 29 & 33. The facility is owned and operated by the City of Trenton, Douglas Palmer, Mayor. Artworks--Trenton's downtown visual arts center--promotes artistic diversity by fostering creativity, learning, and appreciation of the arts. Our classes, exhibitions, and events make art an accessible experience for all |
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