Comments on: Graffiti’s Gray Area, Kristin Fouquet

By: Vicki Nikolaidis

Vicki Nikolaidis — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:43:43 +0000

Graffiti! I enjoyed this look at New Orlean’s graffiti artist. If only the graffiti here in Chania was so interesting! I’m almost, almost to the point of becoming a ghost graffiti artist myself. Here the graffiti seems to always be the same old – down with capitalism, close the NATO base – in Greek though, so I have learned some new Greek slogans.
This composition of Graffiti’s Grey Area is the loveliest and most convincing argument for freeing our graffiti artists world wide to show us their art. The Grey Area- very interesting view.

By: Michael Brown

Michael Brown — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:18:39 +0000

This was informative and entertaining, and presented in an eye-catching way. Thanks for the good read.

By: quin browne

quin browne — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:03:18 +0000

i’m stunned, thrilled, pleased–i’m jigging for joy.

not only is your work such pieces of perfection–it is of my home town.

well done indeed.

By: Kristin Fouquet

Kristin Fouquet — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:16:34 +0000

Aleathia– thanks so much!

Carter– thank you, as always.

Jaria– Someone just today was speaking of the political nature of graffiti in Europe as opposed to the commercialism of the US graffiti. The history is interesting. Thanks for reminding me.

Lynn– Yes, the gray area (forgive the pun) of it grabbed me. Perhaps, Mr. Radtke’s initial motivation was to remove gang tags as a social service, but as more “legitimate” street art emerged, his mission violated property owner’s wishes and most of the city at large. His work paradoxically became blight with an antagonism that dared to be challenged.

Many thanks to you and Michael for presenting this photo essay so nicely.

Jason– New Orleans could be the poster child for psychogeography. Some could call it obsession, others love. Thanks for making me consider it again.

Cheers all!

By: Jason Michel

Jason Michel — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:56:29 +0000

kristin,

your photographic psychogeography of new orleans just gets more and more interesting. you have an obsession with place worthy of ian sinclair.

always

jason

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:45:27 +0000

I think it brings up some interesting questions. Who is right? The graffiti artist, the owner, or the vigilante anti-artist ghost painter?

I mean, who decides that the art should be essentially destroyed, this guy? Obviously some people like the graffiti art. And if a property owner does not, seems like they should be the ones to decide to paint it over or leave it intact.

I liked that this was both a recounting of a city issue but on another level, an art values issue, ownership issue, art vs. graffiti issue.

PS and how happy am I that Michael is doing this section!

Thanks all, really.

By: Jaria Cecil Sowl

Jaria Cecil Sowl — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:04:56 +0000

nice piece Kristen. Graffiti was used in France to direct people to safe houses, like the prohibition or hebrews during wwII. your piece was well put together. jcs

By: Carter Monroe

Carter Monroe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:44:19 +0000

World class work here.

By: Aleathia Drehmer

Aleathia Drehmer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:05:21 +0000

Kristin,

This is a great piece and informative too. I don’t know much about life in New Orleans and you always bring it to the front with your stories and your photography. I have always been a fan of graffiti and its transient nature. Great job as always.

Aleathia