Street Art/Urban Art/ Graffiti art – Must it be criminal to be creative? - October 2008
Whether right or wrong, ‘Street art’ has often been associated with vandalism, illegal activity and general anti-social behaviour. Some feel that in order to maintain its integrity it must always be this way.
A recent article published in The Independent stated, “(Graffiti) ceases to be valid and its form and message is ultimately denigrated by making it acceptable, legal or commercially viable.”1
This is an interesting, if not extreme viewpoint and has particular relevance within the context of Dubai. For ‘UBIK’, a Dubai-based urban artist, often the only opportunity to exhibit his artwork is if supported by a commercial establishment.
“Being an urban artist in Dubai and trying to conjure up an underground art scene is quite a frustrating and challenging idea,” laments UBIK, “The local social rules are pretty strict, discouraging artists from venturing out on to the streets and practicing street art in its truest form. Even if street artists are given a chance to do something in an organized, legal fashion, the whole project becomes too much of an ‘event’. Hence street art loses its raw charm and the original motivation behind the concept is lost.”
Despite the challenges, it cannot be denied that Dubai’s art scene is continuing to diversify. Alternative art forms are being given more platforms for exposure and in turn the public seems to be responding well to them. Initiatives such Traffic Gallery’s ‘underground art show’ in June and The Jam Jar’s recent ‘public art project’ in collaboration with Albus Cavus were both hugely successful events and are testament to this thought.
Whilst it is true that this growth and exposure is something we all stand to benefit from, it is also important to be self-reflective. Which brings us back to the question: Does street art lose its essence when embraced by the mainstream?
Questions and challenges such as these are definitely not limited to our growing metropolis of Dubai. The Tate Modern in London recently showcased artworks by graffiti artists from six countries.2 From a once marginalized community of wall-sprayers, these artists are now being actively promoted by respected international art institutions, alike.
UBIK says, “It’s a good thing that street art is now being recognized internationally as a valid urban art form. Artists like Blek the Rat, Blu ,Os gemeoes and Shepard Fairey have being doing this for years without gaining recognition or even looking for it. It’s a good feeling to see the art elite making an effort to promote public awareness on the importance and the ideas behind such a scene.”
We’d like to hear your opinions. Send them to us here at Speaking Tree.
6 Responses to “Street Art/Urban Art/ Graffiti art – Must it be criminal to be creative? - October 2008”
Surely ’street’ art will remain what it is while on the ’street’. Once it is removed from that context it just becomes ‘art’ or in recent years ‘trendy art’. In the case of Jean Michel Basquiat I thought it became bad art once it left the street but that’s another debate!
Also if playing with auto paint had not moved into mainstream respectability elsewhere, would the Dubai project have been feasible at all?
By Auto Spares on Nov 1, 2008
Unfortunately graffiti seems to suffer the same problem as anything ‘cultural’ that comes off the street. Take the Edinburgh festival for example - it started out on the fringes of mainstream classical events after WWII and today has become commercial but also managed to keep its Bohemian edge. It’s still mainly about the craft and not just awareness or money. Graffiti too has made the jump into the mainstream but whether it retains that ‘edge’ ultimately boils down to the people running and supplying the shows. If it’s all purely for cash, little of the earnest intent (dare I say criminal intent) will remain.
By Krishna on Nov 2, 2008
There is a vast difference between true street ‘ART’ and the mindless graffiti - often just foul language - spray painted on carpark walls by bored teenagers. It is simply offensive and lacks any creativity.
It is a shame that graffiti, a la Banksy, has now become so commercialised it is indeed starting to lose its ‘edge’ (as Krishna comments)but I am beginning to think it is one interesting way to highlight the lack of culture in this part of the world. There are some terrific blank walls near where I live, just asking for a smart comment or two !!
By Rusty on Nov 4, 2008
Rusty, whilst I agree ‘tagging’ is often less creative, I don’t feel ‘graffiti’ as such is ‘mindless.’
There are many forms and permutations that have developed over the decades and now the focus is much more on complex graphics. Graffiti in Brazil for example is completely different and often in tune with its surrounding environment.
The issue here is collaborating with the right institutions so that we get to see more ’street art’ and that is what people like the Jam Jar are doing - which means the walls near you may indeed be covered soon!
Banksy on the other hand is another debate…
By Shivani on Nov 5, 2008
The only graffiti I have seen here is either bored teenagers like ‘Don” and ‘Raj’ in Bur Dubai, images of the UAE flag (Jumeirah 2)or just the letters ‘UAE’ in various places. The only other sightings have been in abandoned buildings.
By Tagging Along on Nov 8, 2008
Check this out - www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4679839/Girl-graffiti-artist-10-is-the-female-Banksy.html
Even 10 year olds have gotten in on the act!
By Govind on Feb 18, 2009