As they say “the world is our canvas”, Newark is filled with some of the most beautiful street art in all of New Jersey. If you take a stroll down any Newark Street you’ll notice the aerosol art on the walls, electrical boxes and doors. Even take a drive down McCarter Highway or take Rt. 21 to Rt. 3 and see. I’m curious to see who your favorite writers are and/or your favorite streets where the art is. I also would like to make a shout out to Newark, maybe instead of fining these guys and causing all this chaos between street art and law we should embrace it and hire street artists to make murals around Newark. LETS EMBRACE THE CULTURE?!!
July 27th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Yoooooooo this is exactly what The Nola Project is all about! Sidewalk as canvas..hit us up this is a movement thelifeweimagine@gmail!
July 27th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Totally agree with you on hiring muralists in the street art genre.
However, I don’t agree that “instead of fining these guys and causing all this chaos between street art and law we should embrace it…” alot of it isn’t very appealing. Mostly angry scribbles by people with no talent. The real talent is obvious and deeper than the midnight prank stuff that I wish could be permanently painted over and forgotten.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Seriously? Regardless of the level of talent (there is no argument that many of these artists are talented), I feel that one of the main reasons why Newark fails to reinvent itself on a neighborhood level (as opposed to downtown) is the complete disrespect for other peoples property. I would love to hear what other people’s take is on this.
I love the city, but for many years, this has been my biggest frustration.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
“I feel that one of the main reasons why Newark fails to reinvent itself on a neighborhood level (as opposed to downtown) is the complete disrespect for other peoples property.” -Andre
@Andre – You’re right IMHO. what I’m saying is the talent (in the street art genre) could be encouraged in a legal (and ethical) manner.
I completely disagree with this post’s call to accept vandalism/embrace every bit of street art in the broad sense. It isn’t ok, and definitely doesn’t encourage progress in the other Wards in Newark.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:03 am
For real? I gotta agree with Ninapilar. Other than the two photos before the last, most of these tags are garbage done by any idiot with a spray can. There’s plenty of legitimate wall art across town (I’ve been working on a post about it for some time), but if you’re going to hire someone to tag walls, the bridge where trains roll in and out of Penn is perfect.
The place I’m thinking of currently has a mural of sorts there now, but it’s not painted directly on the wall. It’s some sort of “sticker” for lack of a better word, depicting the Ironbound, Prudential Center and more. The thing is, after 2 years, the sticker has peeled off in more than a few spots. Not to mention that if you gave me a box of Sharpie markers and $2000, I could’ve done a better job than the 3rd grade chicken scratch on there now… unless of course, those were school kids who made the mural, in which case, I apologize for my rude comment.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:44 am
again, someone with no clue.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Sometimes graffiti is art, and other times it is just plain vandalism. It’s not an aesthetic judgment, it’s more of a question of property rights. If the property owner doesn’t mind allowing graffiti artists to practice their trade on their property, then there is no problem. However, if graffiti artists use private property against the will of the owner, that is flat-out criminal and shows disrespect for the members of their community. I wouldn’t scratch up the paint on your Lexus and call it “art”, so don’t spray paint my building without my permission.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
IGNORANCE is VANDALIZING property. I can accept street art as a real genre. I do. But progress must be made in said genre. There is no reason why, there is nothing stopping you from making more efforts to do this legally and perhaps take it to another level.
Cursing, calling me and others names…definitely doesn’t help your general case. And if none of the artists cared what the general public thinks, the issue wouldn’t have been brought up on Glocally and countless other media outlets.
And SO WHAT I dream of AND WORK FOR a “a picture perfect green space neighborhood with your coffee shop and designer boutiques.” I’m proud of it. And it includes/will include LEGAL, BEAUTIFUL, street art.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
YES, art, YES ILLEGAL! I’m sorry, give the artists the PROPER venue! I’m ALL for art. Don’t DARE get me wrong, but the white siding on the abandoned building next to me is PRIVATE property. I enjoy my flowers NOT the blue scribble spray painted on it that I am FORCED to look out my windows and see! Graffiti is an illegal practice. The artists FORCE us to look at their art where it does NOT belong. Feel me? I’m just breakin’ it down, this is MY city too!!!
July 28th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I have no respect for artists who tag or paint on peoples’ private property. Public property is a different story. (BTW graffiti is not the only form of street art – check out woostercollective.com)
July 28th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I love wooster collective!
July 28th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Graffiti isn’t the only form of street art, yes. ¥ou are very correct. However, some of the artwork you see that you consider street art isn’t always ‘legal’ either. I’ve seen shitty street art…now is this person an ‘idiot’ with a paintbrush, marker, can, semen, or dog shit? Or is it totally acceptable because it isn’t a ‘scribble?’ Some of the funniest most meaningful artwork on the streetscape I’ve seen is a simple quote with a marker or a funny name or just a simple one line illustration. Beauty and art is totally up to the viewers interpretation. HOWEVER, you guys are giving your opinions on an art form that was around before you were probably born. You tear it down because you don’t understand it, and i understand anxiety and fear make for such hateful ignorant comments. You know…I’ve dreamed of a perfect world too. Did you know this perfect world exists? Leave the city and embrace the nature this beautiful mother earth offers. I love my city grungy, dirty, and with graffiti. That’s why it is Newark. If I want beauty ill fly my ass to New Zealand or something. The gritiness, scribbles, doog poop and all the other shit is what makes a city what it is. Where would alot of artists get their inspiration from? I think that’s why most artists-and I dont care what type of art, leave the suburbs and come into the city. Do you find a squeaky clean neighborhood inspiring? A gray whitewashed corridor lined with Penthouses and Glass boutiques? That’s beauty to you? Why don’t we worry about the skyrocketing murders, lack of jobs and other issues that are really destroying our community. If you’re so obsessive compulsive that your eye directly goes to the blue tag outside of window, you need some medication, or be the pro active citizen you claim to be and wash that shit off yourself. Do me a favor too and climb yourself up a billboard and tear those ads out because that crap isn’t art to me either. Excuse me now I have to get back to class.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
“Why don’t we worry about the skyrocketing murders, lack of jobs and other issues that are really destroying our community” – Newarka
LOL, there are lots of issues in Newark and all around the world for that matter, but we are focusing on this post: street art.
Lots of art began before any of us were born, so that’s an invalid point. I was also born and raised in Newark, and the fact that you have no respect for others’ opinions will forever brand you as the ignorant one.
Wanting a clean neighborhood with all kinds of art IS inspiring. You are hateful and bitter, and it’s really sad but I have to say that I’m not going to lose any sleep over your fits of rage.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I see both sides of the argument, but have to side with those who have so e respect for other people’s property. It’s seems rather easy for some people here to disregard an irrefutable fact: the feelings of the property owner. And it’s only easy because, apparently, these people don’t own a thing. A time will come when they see things differently. If not, may they enjoy their lives in ignorance.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
@ Newarka – Woah that’s a long ass comment!
1.I love my city grungy too but some douche spray painting my car, driveway, or house just because is total BS.
2.The irony in all this is that many of the “Newark Artist” aren’t even from Newark!
Painting or tagging someone’s personal property is completely disrespectful, however using public spaces to showcase art is mad dope and I’m all for it. Taxpayers maintain public spaces therefore – assuming that we all pay taxes – we all have ownership of those spaces.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
@ Blake most def WC is the hotness!
July 29th, 2009 at 11:13 am
i dont know what this city would be without a graffiti scene
July 30th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Cleaner….that’s for sure.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’m sorry but much of what I see in my neighborhood (the East Ironbound) is nothing more than tagging and marking up other people’s property. I am very proud of the work I have done in renovating the properties that I own and it hurts to watch those that neither own or pay property taxes destroy properties. I can appreciated art but I would have to argue if you paid to use a wall and put your art there and someone came in and sprayed their art over it because they felt they had the right, you would be quite angry too.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
ALRIGHT, I LOVE these kind of conversations!!! YEAH!!
August 10th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
ok..1st lets put things into perspective..the “street art” most are referring to was born from graffiti…2nd..to label a tag as just scribbling is a ridiculous argument..all graff stems fromt he tag..so to define one part of a movement as scribbling and nother part of the same movement as art doesnt make sense..most people down graff as not being art because of the medium used,the tools we utilize..this is yet another ignorant thing to argue..come on .if i used a brush its art..if i use aerosol its not art…hmmmm
at this point in my career i focus on large scale,legal graff murals and im currently talking to the city about getting us some of the walls in the city for us to start a mural arts program as other major cities have..anyone interested in helping us it would only speed things along and would be appreciated..to see my work in newark and all over the world just go to:myspace.com/demerock
also feel free to stop by my shop..i own the only graffiti/comic book store in the world..right outside of newark..
graffiti comix
400a washington ave
belleville nj 07109
973 759 1110
graffiticomix@gmail.com
August 31st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Although I see that this could be a positive for the City of Newark if it was being done in a positive manner with respect for others Property/belongings. Yes a lot of the Art that is seen on walls all over the City some is quite tasteful however some isn’t, if some Organization/Group would create an Out Let where these people could express there art in a more meaningful way it could bring in a lot of Our City’s Youth from the Streets with something on a Positive Note.
April 7th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
FYI, there are programs that push for public art in the city (ala the murals found between market and raymond or next to garden spires. I know the YES program out of Rutgers and Youth build do work with this.