No matter which country you travel to you
are likely come across street art and to some it is seen as vandalism, an act of
rebellion or to others it is seen as art, a creative outlet.
I guess I could say that I have never taken
much interest in street art before until I came across this (see below) in a
lane way in the city. I was speechless! It was just incredible! Not only did I
stand there and take a picture of it on my phone, I found that other onlookers
who were captivated by this piece of street art surrounded me.
(The inner city of Melbourne, photo taken by myself)
Whilst researching this art form I began to
understand that a large amount of
graffiti/street art has an underlying political statement.
Modernism as described by Giddens (cited in
ALC215 week 3 PowerPoint) is ‘a set of attitudes towards the world, most
prominently the idea of the world as open to transformation, by human
intervention.’
From this, it can be said that street art
derived from modernism, is a chance for individual expression to flourish and art
to take a new form. Individuals have the
opportunity to see a countries struggle through a new lens.
(Image sourced from Google Images)
The photo above became famous worldwide
during the civil unrest in France in 1968.
The art which states ‘Sous les
paves, la plage’, translates to ‘under the paving stones, the beach’. In the early stages of protest, students
displayed anger over lack of employment which in turn created protests to call
for economical and political change in France. Millions of workers went on
strike causing a halt in France’s economy (Drott 2011).
The artwork created by French protestors,
explores the idea that freedom could be found under the constrictions of the
government.
This example describes globalisation in the
sense that it linked ‘distant localities in such a way that local happening
(were) shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice-versa’ (Giddens
1990, p64).
Through this globalization ‘crosses the
ideological spectrum and engages social movements and politics at all level
(Nederveen 2004 p.7).
By understanding street art it has now changed the way i perceive it.
Maybe next time you're wandering around the streets of Melbourne take notice of the street art and question what the underlying meaning is.
Until next week.......
References:
Drott, E 2011, Music and the elusive revolution: cultural politics and political culture in France 1968- 1981, Berkeley: University of California Press, retrieved 2 August 2013, http://encore.deakin.edu.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2553988__Sfrance%201968__Ff%3Afacetmediatype%3A1%3A1%3AE-book%3A%3A__Orightresult__X4?lang=eng&suite=cobalt
Giddens, A 1990, The consequences of Modernity, Wiley, retrieved 3 August 2013, http://encore.deakin.edu.au/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1514437?lang=eng
Moore, C 2013, ALC215 week 3 PowerPoint, retrieved 3 August 2013, https://d2l.deakin.edu.au/d2l/le/content/143750/viewContent/1944410/View
Nederveen Pieterse, J 2004, 'Globalization: cinsensus and controversies', Globalization and culture: global melange, Rowman & Littefield Publisher, retrieved 3 August 2013, http://equella.deakin.edu.au/deakin/file/30dbae02-030d-14d7-cb62-7cede10a3210/1/scan-globalizationconsensus-nederveen-pieterse-2004.pdf
'Sous les paves, la plage , retrieved 3 August 2013, https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeOBHBGz5KvpKuKRHdc7BrnpLkW0eUIRaE_r3aeAL_5Ff0fLuOWVXVczY1mVrhGsvhZ06qUSukkb7xml33ENT_mi8suUWHCcFzBBbLMskvX43WOznRZ3JTW_utPgIPd_SrBMWdocJMY95/s640/paves.jpg
What a great post thanks Morgan. You have made a great series of observations and connections to the theoretical material (just a little ironing out of the references needed). You might like to explore the concept of street art further, for example the territorial relationship between taggers, or the difference between graffiti and street art. Has the popularity of Bansky and the value that his work brings to the physical property undermined the political protest nature of street art? Is the street now another gallery?
ReplyDeleteThat top photo is quite amazing! Can I ask where in the city it is? I think it is quite unfair to street artists that their work is more or less lumped in with graffiti and described as vandalism rather than the distinction and underlying meaning, as you mentioned, being acknowledged. There is quite often some really alternative pieces in the tram underpass outside Deakin, though they are painted over quite frequently. I did an assignment on the use of graffiti as a form of communication and was staggered how deep the sub culture actually goes. Quite a misunderstood art form.
ReplyDeletesorry Laura, I can't actually remember where in the city I took this, it was a while ago :)
DeleteHi Morgan,
ReplyDeleteYour post is very well researched and is written in a talkative, casual manner, which is easy and enjoyable to read. Your definition of modernism is really easy to understand, and personally it has assisted me in understanding what it is! Thanks! The photo’s you have included really added to your argument. I really enjoyed reading about your personal experiences with graffiti, and how it has emotionally affected you. Just remember to watch your references and whom you are referencing. A very thought-provoking post!
Thanks Morgan!
Hi Morgan
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a fascinating post. Of the posts I have read for this week’s topic yours stands out as someone who has been most affected by art on a personal level. It was great to see you engage with a wide range of references in your post, I would be careful with leaving some quotes unexplained, I thought maybe at times you could have benefitted from adding some more context to your in-text references. But great attention to detail and like everyone else I’m sure, loved the photos. Keep up the good work