Socially Critical

October 09, 2013

A different form of public advertising on my way to work past Amsterdam Amstel station, probably more valid than all billboards and commercials I didn't photograph combined.

Graffiti in Amsterdam asking "what is the problem?" by laser

Biking past the same spot a few days later, I am watching a conversation being born.

More graffiti next to it asking "Does art solve problems?"

But then:

More graffiti reactions saying "Vandalism", "Shell & Money" and "Snorscooters"

Was this really what I was longing for? What did I really expect to happen? Did I think the conversation was architected and about to unfold beautifully?

I am very interested in artists who address cultural issues in a public and open way. This form of expression is one of the things that pulled me to the city in the first place, though the final thoughts in this conversation add little value.

The success of Banksy changed the way a lot of people think about street art. I even think that larger parts of society are now open to even perceive it as art at all, as well as it having a big influence in digital and traditional forms of art. If the avant garde still lives in the land of art I am very curious in what forms it chooses to express itself.

Banksy graffiti in New York

But are we still talking about street art when a truck is driving on the other side of the world visible on the street to maybe a handfull of people, while the official youtube video has over three and a half million views? I don't know the importance of the medium in more traditional art but even the meaning of the medium is changing very rapidly in all forms of art right now (just like the world by the way).