In which I quote Gothamist and the NYtimes

Gothamist responds to yesterdays NYtimes graffiti story. Also, "The Times reported that since the formation of the new unit, there's been a 20% increase in arrests, contributing to a 78% increase in graffiti-related crimes for 2004. Tools that the police will be using: A database to track graffiti crime patterns (especially targetting repeat and the top 100 offenders), infrared cameras, and a reward program that offers $500 to anyone who reports a graffiti incident that results in an arrest and conviction."

Back from Pennsylvania, covered in welts

Monday round up -

Dondi White S'mores

"Get One. Get the Set. Eat the Chocolate. Save the Wrapper.Ten legendary New York City graffiti artists including Blade, Crash, Crachee, Crime 79, Dondi, Dr. Revolt, Iz the Wiz, Lady Pink, Spar One and Voice of the Ghetto (Stay High 149) have created one-of a kind works transforming wrappers for an array of new candy bar of which a portion of the proceeds will benefit the All-Stars Project."

New Graffiti story from the New York Times

“A lot of these photographers think they are intrepid explorers discovering these guys in the inner city, making crazy statements like they are going to take them out of the ghetto,” said Stacey Richman, a lawyer representing Tats Cru and the other muralists. “But these guys are acclaimed artists in their own right. Just put their names into any search engine. They are world-renowned. They’ve lectured at M.I.T. and exhibited at the Smithsonian.”

ALOE (Staten Island) is back in Court again today.

Bedstuy Chimneys

Two Graffiti articles in the Washington Post in one day?
Washington Post - "Global positioning systems (GPS), digital photography and computer databases are joining the humble paint can as U.S. cities battle to obliterate graffiti and catch its shadowy perpetrators."

WashingtonPost - "They have names like Wisk, Revok, Panic and Oiler. They work mostly in the dark, often above six lanes of hurtling freeway traffic, and their spray-can creations sometimes last only a day."

From the "brilliant police work file" - "Navarro said he tied graffiti scrawled along Whittier Boulevard on April 25 to Carrillo because Carrillo used the same tagging name he scrawled when he was arrested the first time."

Croatian Graffti - "Ella Dvornik and Miso are having fun whilst Lonac concentrated on painting."

Jesus Saves

"Jesus Saves" puts in more work then almost any other writer. He is everywhere in NYC.

Freight yard in winter

SAPD gets night vision goggles to help battle graffiti

The person who purports to be the artist makes no mention of influences on his Flickr photo gallery, chock-full of images of listen bird graffiti, and real dead birds. Listen1's profile says simply: "I enjoy various forms of vandalism" and lists his occupation as "human being."

Signs of Youth involved with Tagging?

1) Most taggers become obsessed with graffiti and will often times have "Tag Books" that they carry with them at all times to practice perfecting their tagging skills.

2) The taggers will collect pictures of graffiti from all over and will often hang the pictures up in their bedrooms.

3) The tagger will write graffiti in their own room, including furniture, desk, walls and personal possessions.

4) Look for a change in appearance (clothing, hairstyle), friends and grades.

5) Taggers tend to go on "Bombing Raids" (Tagging expeditions) between the hours of 2am and 5am. They often get little if any sleep on those nights and will be extra tired during the day. Look for a change in their sleep patterns such as naps during the afternoon when they never used to nap before.

Tropical fantasy

The times up for MFONE, Police: Pittsburgh man may be nation's top graffiti vandal. 12OZ Prophet discusses...

From the "toys getting caught" file.

Another Graffiti documentary?? Next: A Primer on Urban Painting.

Dirty dirty mattress van

My wife and mother-in-law noticed a dark spot about the diameter of a pencil eraser in the center of the mattress. It was surrounded by a fainter ring a little smaller than a dime. It appears to be a menstral stain. We later noticed this whole thing was surrounded by yet another, fainter ring about a foot in diameter. My wife guessed that it was a water stain from when the tried to clean the mattress. There were also dark hairs on the mattress.

Another Video

Sorry about the lack of updates I have been a busy boy lately. Here is another video I made awhile ago.


There is a great graffiti lecture going on in LA tonight.


LAist has has some great graffiti news of late.

Rambo - First Blood

Flickr provides a forum for Irak Vs. Rambo beef.

More Rambo Flicks over at Robots will kill.

Article: Tagging Iraq: Samarra's graffiti war

Article: KEMI (Florida) is arrested.

Coney Island baby

There is a great article from Der Spiegel on murals in Baghdad. I have pretty mixed feeling about the whole thing. I am for safety, security, and non-violence. But I am pretty against walling off cities. There seems to be winners and losers whenever that is done. It also doesn't solve anything. It's a complicated issue.

I found the following passage a little worrisome -

One of the artists, Talib Muhsin, told Associated Press that the project had two goals: "We are trying to help Iraqis to coexist with these concrete barriers and accept them in their life as de facto and can't be moved -- at least for the time being," he said. And he added: "We Iraqi artists wanted to say that Iraqis are like other communities who love peace and want to get rid of this situation to live normal life."

Accepting barriers? My prediction, look for some anti-barrier graffiti soon.

Percept

Hey everyone,

So I am gearing up for some interviews with writers, graphic designers, and other assorted artists. Stay tuned...

In the News-

-Graffiti on the rise in Canada.

- Vandalism does not make you glamorous?

Saturday - Happy Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone.

Cinco de Mayo("The Fifth of May" in Spanish) is a national, but not federal, holiday in Mexico which is also widely celebrated in the United States. It commemorates the victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over the French occupational forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

It is also "Free comic book day..'

Police beat protesters in L.A.

When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951)

New Obama video

Monday Morning.

-An interesting article on ancient graffiti - "Celadus the Thracier makes the girls moan!"

-"Brazenly using ladders and large rollers, the gang spent two days daubing a giant deformed child’s head and lizard across a rooftop wall in central Bristol. Several onlookers called police but were stunned when officers said they could not enter the building on safety grounds and they did not have the resources to stand and wait outside."

-"Reminiscent of Wooster Collective's 11 Spring project in New York City last year, the Kelburm Castle in Scotland is the next building in line to be covered in street art."

Monk - King of Queens

and more Monk flicks here.

clips obama

more clips

More Obama clips

Graff videos = Lazy Thursday

There have been a glut of graffiti documentaries lately. The latest edition is "Bomb it." The trailer doesn't have a embed code with it so you'll have to click through. It does have Cornbread and Obey in it, I don't know, I am kind of over the graffiti documentary movie.

Guest Photoblogger:Dangerburger

Foreign desk reporter Dangerburger has just returned from Israel with a bunch of great flicks. Hopefully he'll be sharing more with us in the days and weeks that follow. It was reported that there is a great deal of apocalyptic / messianic / religious graffiti in the country right now. The "Na Nach Nachma Nachman Meuman" being one of the prime examples.

We here at WEIDEAM are glad to see him back safe and sound. Several of WEIDEAM's sources have revelead widespread anticipation of a war this summer in the region. The BBC seems to agree.

Some Links-
Aerosol Arabic - Graffiti for God
That Free Dom for Bosh
AerosolIslamic

Guest Photoblogger: Bigbabymiguel

Today's image comes courtesy of Bigbabymiguel. You can check out some of his amazing photography here. The image was taken in an an abandoned Yonkers power plant, and is evidently by an anonymous"Godspeed you Black Emperor" fan.

Robots will tear us apart.

It's going to be in the 80's today so a BBQ is in order!

In the news-

The Spring St. building is finally getting buffed.

The UK's plan to 'legalise' graffiti.

Richmonds "Style weekly"crituqes some of the "local" tags.

The end is near...

Could New York's graffiti be coming to a end? Gothamist runs an alarming story. Move or marijuna smokers, taggers will soon be joining you for lengthy prison sentences.

"Relatively light sentences for graffiti crime might be a thing of the past, however, if some of the local District Attorneys get their way. In a groundbreaking case, they've charged the legendary Alan Ket with crimes that could land him in the clink for decades-- crimes that no one ever witnessed him committing.....If Ket gets convicted and the conviction stands, many of those artists could be prosecuted-- not just for the pieces they were caught doing, but for ones that they've photographed and stored on their computers. And a logical next step is to try to prosecute people for pieces that have been documented by themselves and others online-- and that could have some serious repercussions for anyone who's ever taken a picture of graffiti and uploaded it to Flickr."

As a result I am seriously thinking of ending this blog.

OBEY GIANT vs. WK INTERACT

If you want to find out more about, two hot selling graffiti people read here. Just like peanut butter and jelly, right?

Razor Apple reports the amazing and long running Dr. Sex piece was finally buffed.

Have you ever seen the Graffiti Generator?

I hate NYC

If you are thinking of moving to New York city...don't. I was crossing the street tonight and this guy almost hit me (again!) and I said, "watch where you're going we have the light." He said "You're poor!" This isn't this first time either. I hate these people, the next guy is in trouble.

Obama videos - No pictures today.

Hello All,

Here are some videos I made. Comments are welcome as always.

Thanks,

P

Swoon - Red Hook

Hello all,

Things are a little busy for me right now. Here is a fading Swoon piece, I think it's charming.

More graffiti as ads - Can you dig ihttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gift?

This Warriors themed graffiti / rockstar games advertisement is across the street from one of the best bars in Brooklyn : Moonshine. Jerry the bartender is one of the great public institution of our fair city. Anyone have any thoughts on graffiti as advertisements?

Tuesday round up - Happy spring st.

- In other parts of my life I am involved in politics. You can read about it www.brooklynforbarack.org . I encourge all of you, gentle readers, to get involved. Even if it's not with Obama, who should be the next president. I hope to upload the documentry I have been working on some time soon.

- Oded and Meghan have been overseas in Tel Aviv and Paris, I hope to have some stories and images from them. BTW Thanks for the mask Meghan!

- Peter "Douchebag" Vallone Jr. has once again screamed hystarclly about graffiti after adidas sponsered a graff related event the other day. "[It's] like posting a billboard calling on teens to break the law." Hmmmm, I would like to see that!

- Saif Azzuz, 19, who tagged under the name "Bart" or "El Barto," will also pay restitution to his victims, said Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez. Prosecutors dropped seven felony counts in exchange for Azzuz' plea. Police said Azzuz, who was arrested in October, was a prolific vandal, tagging several hundred targets in the North Bay including private and public property. He will perform graffiti abatement as his service to the community and any money he makes will be donated back to the program, said Gomez.

- In response to a recent wave of vandalism and graffiti occurring on Saipan, Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention Unit is set to spearhead the latest Beautify CNMI! effort, unofficially called the “War on Graffiti.”

DPS will coordinate with student volunteers from Law Enforcement Explorer Program, Junior Police Officers, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, as well as community volunteers from Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Friends of the Mariana Islands to paint over graffiti in public places.
”

Easter Sunday in Brooklyn - Zombie BBQ

Happy Easter everyone!

Although I have to go work, I am hoping to catch the tail end of the Zombie BBQ over in Lefferts Garden. If you want zombies tonight and you aren't in Brooklyn, I recommend Grindhouse, the new slasher/zombie double feature. If spring is here why is it snowing?

I love NARG!

I love lamp.

El-P - Free music

So, I haven't tried to embed anything like this player. It should be at the bottom of the post. I got it from pitchfork, the following text too..

"Tracklist:
Jan Hammer: "Darkness/Earth in Searches of a Sun"
Camp Lo: "82 Afros"
Mars Volta: "The Widow (El-P remix)"
Paul McCartney: "Temporary Secretary"
Silver Apples: "A Pox on You"
El-P: "Tasmanian Pain Coaster"

Utah - Stairway to the midwest

Here are some nice Utah pieces. I stumbled across an article about her from some years ago in the village voice.

"Utah, who's like a character sprung from the head of a morose graphic novelist, is one of the few, maybe only, female extreme-graff artists. She's an antisocial and agile ex-goth girl who travels crewless, preferring to scale bridges, jump tracks, and crawl along slanted rooftops alone. Lately, her excellently bold, black, loping "straight letter" has ridden the ledge of the Manhattan Bridge."

More Os Gemeos

Here are some more Os Gemeos flicks. The piece is from 2005 and is still looking amazing. Hopefully I can photoshop the whole mural in to one image at some point. Here is their Flickr (which I can't recommend enough) photostream. Here is an image of the larger mural image.

This from the Dreamland artists club..
"Os Gemeos (Brazil) spent three weeks in May painting the first artwork for the project— a 130-foot mural on the wall opposite the subway station on Stillwell Avenue. They are identical twin brothers (Otavio and Gustavo) and their name translates to "the twins" in Portuguese. Os Gemeos have garnered tremendous acclaim with a recent show at Deitch Projects and a major mural for the Olympics in Athens. They gained international notoriety for their unique works created on the streets of Sao Paulo. Os Gemeos also paint canvases, make sculptures, and are both graphic designers and photographers."

Os Gemeos - The Coney Island Twins

Os Gemeos are two (Or one maybe depending on how you feel about twins)of the finest artists to pick up a spray can. They all use plenty of sequins in this piece as well.

REVS -Teenage Piece

A huge shout out this week to Razorapple for running this article on REVS. When my blog grows up it wants to be just like the Rapple. A few things spring to mind when you see the REVS video. Firstly, anyone else notice that he's wearing a CLAW t-shirt? And secondly, the piece featured in the video looks exactly like another REVS piece in DUMBO that featured a few weeks back. He must run his stuff in a series. And thirdly, What was the COST, REVS footage that was spliced in there?

Hip-Hop is dead

They hate us for our freedom?

Wednesday's Swoon Posting

Hello all,

Sorry I haven't been vigilant in my daily postings. I have been a little swamped lately. Here is a Swoon wheat paste from over by the Brooklyn Navy Yards.

Upskirt - Hymnz Readr Illbght

Happy Monday Morning,

Did you know...
There is a new Lord of the Rings book coming out written by Tolkien's son based on his notes.

Neckface has a video up on the Vice Magazine website. Here is an article about his Vans billboard which was recently defaced.

Scotland is dealing with some graffiti problems "You'll have had your graffiti say well-to-do vandals."

Here is an article about REWD and SOlER in Dallas....

GEN II - On the Bowery

Here is an old GEN II piece that I saw on the Bowery a few months ago. I was reminded of it when I went and saw the groundbreaking movie On the Bowery last night. The 1957 film is about an ex-rail road workman flopping on the Bowery and descending in to alcoholism and homelessness. The film utilizes a mix of actors and real Bowery "residents" to paint a bleak image 1950's New York. There were a lot of interesting comparisons between the old and new Bowery. For one, there used to be a huge elevated train that ran down the Bowery, I believe that is has been totally demolished. When did that happen? The film also features what appears to be the Bowery Mission, looking much like it does today.

The Bowery was also home to Charles Eisenmann, one of my favorite photographers of all time. He is known for his sitting portraits of human oddities. The pictures would then be sold at side shows to supplement the performers income. You can find some of his work on the fantastic Athanusius Kircher Society website. You can still find some of his photos floating around at the 25th St, flea market, through private collectors, or at Obscura Antiques.

Or you can live in the new gentrified Bowery.

Mojo - Keep on Trucking

I'm not sure if this is a permission piece or not. I try not to post permssion pieces, but this is really nice so I'll make an exception. I am trying to make a trip up on to the highline at some point, does anyone have any tips for getting up?

Earsnot and SACER - Irak 99

Here is a old Irak roller over by the west side highway. I have been meaning to get the picture for awhile. If you haven't seen it yet, I recomend the movie Infamy. Earsnot is featured in the film, a move that got him arrested. Also please check out the This American Life entitled "Cat and Mouse" , there is a great story about REVS and Earsnot.

TAL Summary: " Spray My Name, Spray My Name. In a way, it's the most classic cat and mouse game of all. A nimble graffiti writer dashes out into the night to leave his mark. Watching and waiting for him are the stronger, if less agile, NYPD Vandal Squad, whose sole mission is their arrest. Brian Thomas Gallagher reports. (8 minutes)"

Free Music - LCD Soundsystem remixed & A.S. Defjux

Here are a couple of great free albums for you to download. The first is a LCD Soundsystem remix
project. There is an article about LCD frontman James Murphy in the current issue of the Village voice. Evidently he is very interested in pursuing a career in mixed martial arts fighting.

The second album features a line up out of El-P's record label, Def Jux. It's paid for by adult swim who have been putting out a lot of fine hip-hop albums. There are tracks by El-P, Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, and many more. You can download it here. You can also stream the great album Chrome Children here.

Katsu - Uber Patriot

I was out in Crown Heights last night and I noticed this great Katsu piece. Who knew he was such a patriot? Here is a video with Katsu showcasing some of the innovative technology he uses to do tall pieces. Sorry about the tree in the way, what are you going to do though? There's a big RAMBO fill in on the other side of the truck, if I get a chance that'll make an appearance later.

Neckface - Satans Bride

Here are some unsplashed Neckface flicks. A lot of people really hate on this dude, but he has put in a lot of work. Sure he has a vans contract, I wish I did. I think that Bill Cosby said it best "I've been rich and I've been poor...Rich is better."

Goya - Banta Fodder

Goya writes this sort of menacing stick figure. I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that he is not Chicago's Goya with the CMK crew. I see Goys'a stuff mostly in Brooklyn and Manhattan, he gets up a fair amount, though I haven't seen much new stuff lately.

While I am thinking of it, I urge you to go down to Powerhouse Books in DUMBO. They have a show going on entitled "That 70's show." The exhibit is a great time capsule of New York during during the blackout 70's. It showcases a lot of Studio 54, Warhol, and general photographic debauchery. They also have a lot of great original artwork up by the likes of Blade, Taki 183 and Iz the Wiz. Peep it.

Faro - The real filthy animal

Faro has really been putting in a lot of work lately. He has gotten pretty good spots and seems to be up everywhere. I noticed the other day that he has a Myspace page too. Seems a little weird to me, but whatevs.

Insomnia

Sooooo. Have to go to the airport in about four hours? I do. Here is a Discreet's night owl to keep you company. I snapped them up in Williamsburg, of course. It's totally played out how traveling graffiti writers just go hit up hipster kid neighborhoods. Word is he is from East London, I'm not totally sure. Anyone know?

Free Music: DJ Karl Marx - Planet Beats

Hey Everyone!!!

Go here and download my friends new album for free. Planet Beats! is The Planets suite by Gustav Holst, remixed by Karl Marx .