Street Artists are creating a new benchmark of modernism through the history of their pranks.
Street artists are having a heavy impact on the art world as they convey critiques of political and socioeconomic issues. These modern-day Picasso’s and Da Vinci’s of graffiti have a unique ability to create awareness through cryptic and colorful campaigns. Finally, the scholars are standing up and taking notice.
According to (Landi 2011) “During a panel called “The Art of Pranks” at the College Art Association (CAA) conference in New York last February, a participant identified as Clark Stoeckley, “artivist,” got up to speak on the topic of New York City pranksters, and identified himself as a member of the NYPD Vandal Squad Task Force. He explained that he was a former undercover detective in the East Village who became a “street-art archivist” and was eventually promoted to the rank of lieutenant for his insider knowledge of graffiti crews and activist groups”.
Street artists from Banksy and Shepard Fairey to the Guerrilla Girls and the artist known as Mat Benote (Make Art That Benefits Everyone Not Only the Elite) were mentioned in Stoeckleys’ accounts. In retrospect Stoecklys’ encounters with these elusive messengers of paint created a new found appreciation stating, “This is the stuff that really brightens our day,” he remarked about the graffiti, “and in many cases teaches cops like me a lesson about the Constitution.”
To that we here at WHOA say “Its about Time”!
