Graffiti vs Art

I imagine that some of you just cringed while others had a little party in their head. The vast majority, I theorize, don’t care about things that don’t affect them. For most people I encounter, graffiti isn’t a tangible part of their lives. However, people with and without experience on a topic create opinions nonetheless. This phenomenon always intrigued me, and now I’m finding that it’s everywhere.

 

Graffiti is a recent phenomenon in our modern sophisticated society in which people write or draw on public surfaces.  Most consider this an illegal activity, and I don't necessarily disagree.  However, making something illegal doesn't disqualify certain other aspects.

The main area I’m interested in right now is the validity of graffiti as an art form.  To do so, we must first have a functional definition of art – which doesn’t exist.  Everyone has their own way of defining art, and some people have broader categories than others.  In short, if two sides of a debate don’t use words in the same way, than there’s next to no point in talking about it.  Since I’m not completely omniscient, I’ll use my definition.

Art = Self Expression

I touched on this in a previous entry.  Regardless of talent or capability of the artist, at its base elements, art is a form of self expression.  I don’t allow for things like tuition, degrees, careers, or a lack thereof to limit my perception.  Anyone who takes something out of their head for others to experience creates art.

Broad definitions aren’t always the best, mainly because they make people uncomfortable.  They allow for any possibility set in very general parameters.  In this world, we like categories.  I’m not so fond of them.

By my definition, graffiti is art. 

The person took something out of their head for others to experience.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more creative take on spelling things – some would say creativity is a prerequisite to creating art.  Half the time I can’t tell if it’s a face or a name, because it’s just that neat to look at.

If I’m stuck behind a train, I’m hoping to see graffiti. 

Why? 

I’m bored out of my proverbial tree, because trains, in general, aren’t that interesting to look at while they’re blocking the road.  Most, at least here, are so rusted out that the original subject matter is faded or gone anyway.

However, we start getting into another aspect of the graffiti discussion.  The canvas for these artists tends to be the property of someone else, so this concept of legality comes into play.  Graffiti can also be used to vandalize.  These concepts don’t deter that it is art – it just validates that some members of our community have fewer boundaries and possibly more vendettas.

That is not anything new.

 

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Where did that come from?

Greetings Travelers,

Over the course of the last few years, more people have discovered my little corner of the universe.  I'm finding it more frequent that newcomers will ask after the source of my ideas.  In truth, my mind is void when I draw. 

I know that everyone tries to find a message in art work; else it's simply a pretty thing to look at.  Though, the latter isn't the worst thing that could happen.  Even still, there is only one drawing that I actually drew with intent - 'On We Go.'

This is not to say that all of my work has no meaning.  My underlying purpose in artwork has its roots in one small image - stickmen.  Everyone can draw a stickman if they really want to.  It might have a deformed head; it might be malaportioned; it might have no torso.  However, no human is exactly alike, so your creation ought to be as unique as you are.  

My whole concept of artwork stems from this notion that everyone can draw in some capacity.  If I have a purpose, than the aforementioned would be my source.

Though, there are those that will find additional gems in my work which I was never aware of when I created it.  These are the people I truly appreciate.  They are able to see things from the products of my hands that my mind stowed away in my subconscious.

Fret not, there is meaning hidden in the smallest of holes when your thoughts are open to receive it.


Sincerely,
Angel and the Stickmen

What is Art?

My Communications teacher was talking to me about art about a year ago.  He brought up an interesting question that -I'm sure - people have been arguing about for centuries.  Pleasantly so, we shared the same point of view, though it took me some time to realize it.

The bulk of the conversation comes down to one question.

What is Art?

Personally, simple answers are usually the best ones, but often people that spend too much time in school enjoy complicating things.  I saw this mentality first hand in University.  People love dancing around the notion that they're right simply because they spent an exorbitant amount of money to get a piece of paper.  This paper allows particularly conceited persons certain privileges over their perceived underlings.

The simple truth is that one answer won’t represent everyone, because all humans view their reality in a certain way.  However, I think some intellectuals feel it necessary to exacerbate a single thing.  As a result, people will feud over a mere idea.

Art is a form of self expression.  From an artist’s soul to the marketing campaigns on the television, art expresses the self.  The self doesn’t have to be a single person, mind you.  A large company desires to get out into the world to share its vision just as much as a person wants to show their heart.

In effect, marketing may as well just be a combination of psychology and art.  That’s a topic for another day though.

So, to state my opinion, contrary to popular belief, the creative world isn’t an exclusive club with a mysterious purpose.  Anyone can pick up a pencil and draw.  The only difference is perception.

My perception of art is based on the simple concept of a Stickman, but I don’t draw with intent beyond that.  In fact, my whole purpose is to let people infer whatever they please from my work.  This was there are no wrong interpretations and  no one has to feel inferior as a result.

The true response is that art is only what you make of it.

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Language and Understanding

Greetings all,

 

Over the course of my years on this planet, certain things have crossed my path and stolen my attention.  One such thing began in University while I pursued an English degree.  My entire first class was instruction on Dictionaries and proper source material.  The whole class stunned me, because I didn’t think people needed to be told that the National Enquirer is not reliable and that it’s important for people to comprehend what you’ve written.

My minor irritation here stems from that day.  In my quest to determine which style of art my work belongs in, I've come across Abstract, Art Nouveau, Geometric, and Surrealism.  During this search, I’m more in favor of the conclusion that there is no apt way to define every aspect of my style. 

Let us first be on the same page.  

That's always a good place to start.

To my understanding, Abstract Art is a representation of anything which lacks definite realism.  An Abstract Artist may create something loosely based on reality that a viewer may identify it, but the Artist doesn't desire to recreate the real world.  However, this style can also encompass seemingly random shapes and figures organized in whichever manner the Artist chooses - Geometric Abstraction.

I've given only two definitions above.  There are more, and that doesn't cease to amaze me that we're so obsessed with creating words to categorize our world, so much so, that defining something we see becomes difficult. 

For instance, the word ‘jargon’ refers to words with specific definition in a certain industry.  In effect, we created a word to describe how some people use words differently.  I’d be interested to know how many words we have, even compared to 50 years ago.  This will be a question for another day.

In our world, it's no wonder the people debate about things like words.  They don't all mean one thing to every person, and people wage intellectual wars over such nonsense.  Granted, most people also have an insatiable urge to be right all of the time.

So, to be abstract, by the simplest form of the adjective definition, is to lack physical existence.  Than, to create Abstract Art should simply be to draw something that doesn't have a physical form.  However, in drawing it, it’s being given form.  The whole definition has been manipulated to include an out of focus reality to suit an idea that developed quite recently.

I find this mildly disheartening, because we all depend very heavily on language to communicate.  I know the tone of our voice and the twitch of our faces play a part, but ultimately, right now, you are relying on my words to understand my thoughts – scattered as they often are.

The occurrence of misunderstandings is only becoming more frequent.  I fear, eventually, meaningful and effective communication will cease to exist.  To solidify my point, please ask yourself the following questions.

How many times have you had to clarify what you meant to say in the past week?

How many times in a day are you confused after interacting with another human?

How many times did you ask yourself what I’m talking about in this entry?

 

Yours Truly,

~Angel and the Stickmen

Nice to Meet You - I'm Angel

Hello there traveler, my name is Angel, and this is my little quirky corner of the universe. My project is called Angel and the Stickmen, which makes no sense in passing. Allow me to tell you a little story about my beginnings and the development of this project.

　

I spent a lot of time thinking in school. It wasn't about my work or anything clearly constructive at the time. I wondered more about why my classmates did things that they did, and I wondered about how time changes things. It was during this time that I began to draw.

　

Previously, I always refused because I felt inadequate and unskilled. In effect, art was torture for me, and it actually landed me in a detention. I was asked to create a ghost for the Halloween decorations, and he came out quite scary. I thought I was following instructions, but it turned out that I was wrong.

　

At first, I wasn't aware of these things I drew, because the world around me was a swirling void that made no sense. I observed, and my hand worked, but little else mattered to me.

　

Then something happened. I received a worksheet back in my English class. The margins had all been doodled, and on the side there was a little happy face and a grade. My teacher was marking my doodles! 

　

She was an interesting woman to be certain. Incidentally, her favorite word was ‘pickle.’

　

I found out a few things during that year. The first revelation was that I could draw. The second was that my English teacher couldn't draw. Being somewhat naive, I thought I could teach her. She humored me for some time as I learned about 3D images and proportions. In the end one thing stuck with me, "I can't even draw a Stickman."

　

Usually people say that to me when they see what I've done. They'll muse about another world in which they could create such fanciful things. I never knew how to respond. Even looking back at that first time with my English teacher, I still don't know what to say. It's not so much that they couldn't draw a stickman if they wanted to. Such a basic image represents something much larger to them. It's their symbol of something they can't attain - even though I once told myself the same thing. 

　

I don't understand, because I used to think I couldn't draw.

　

Having reviewed this notion, I’ve reconsidered my past experiences. Hidden in all of my recent work you will find a Stickman. I merge simple ideas into my work for the others they won’t draw, and to remind myself that I once shared their perceptions on drawing.

　

You might be saying to yourself that this explains Stickmen, but where does Angel fit in? My last name translates to Angel in English. So, Angel and the Stickmen refers to the underlying idea and I.

　

　

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen