From subvertising to mosaics, stencil murals to sculptures and life-sized instalments – the techniques of street artists are as varied as the motivations which drive them. Yet they all have one thing in common; they utilise a platform by which the work of artists outside of the mainstream or without wealthy patrons can reach the public – the street. But to what end? Allow us to venture that art is political. Being outside of the mainstream, and all the confines that includes, allows for a stronger sense of social commentary to resonate in the works of street artists in particular. And in this rebellious world, it is perhaps paradoxically fitting that the faceless Banksy has become the face of street art. Oooh, we do love a bit of irony.
Over the years, Banksy has maintained his anonymity and continually raised the stakes for the art stunts he’s pulled. In 2006 he sabotaged Paris Hilton’s musical debut by replacing 500 copies of her album across 48 different UK stores with his own version featuring satirical cover art and alternative track titles such as ‘Why am I famous’ and ‘What have I done?’ He’s installed an inflatable doll dressed as a Guantanamo detainee near the Big Thunder Mountain ride at Disneyland California. He’s left his mark on the West Bank Barrier, infiltrated museums and put a live, painted elephant in a room for his first exhibition in the US.
‘We don’t need any more heroes; we just need someone to take out the recycling,’ is Banksy’s comment on personal fame. It sums up, pretty much, the spirit of street art and the street artist’s persona, created over the years by legends like Banksy, Bleck Le Rat and Shepard Fairey (aka Obey) to name just a few.
But street art has rapidly become mainstream. Pieces have become collectors items and the novelty has been rained on by senseless copycats like Mr. Brainwash – that hapless hero of Banksy’s street art disaster movie Exit Through the Gift Shop. So how do the original mavericks and up and coming street artists now tackle the pitfalls of this new milieu? How do they re-sensitise the public to the once jarring meaning of their work?
Seeing as it’s nearly impossible to extract a response from the likes of Banksy, we’ll just let that question hang. And perhaps we’ll allow it to hang rhetorically, so it can resonate in our minds while we view the exclusive artworks on display at the Yas Viceroy’s street art exhibition this week. Described as an effort to make art accessible to everyone who walks into a public place, Crossroads has now brought street art to Abu Dhabi for the first time.
The sixth exhibition in the Crossroads series, ‘The Legends of Street Art’ is organised by Swiss Art Gate and hosted at the Yas Viceroy’s Light Box Gallery. It features pieces by Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Gwenael Salaun, Evil Dr Revolt, Mr Brainwash and our very own UAE based Saif B. Chilmiran – and yes! He’s the very one also under the spotlight for our Style Files feature this week).
Open daily from 10am-10pm ‘Crossroads VI – Legends of Street Art’ runs from May 9-June 10 2012 at the Light Box Gallery, Marina Wing Lobby, Yas Viceory, Yas Island (02 656 0000).
A word with Saif Chilmiran
How long have you been active as a street artist?
Even when I was five years old I used to paint on my house walls with crayons. But my first ever piece on a public wall was when I was 13-14.
Have you featured alongside Banksy at an exhibition before?
Yep yep, ProArt Gallery really did have a strong focus on street arts. Because of them I was able to feature along with Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Faile, Blek Le Rat.
Who’s your street art hero?
I really don’t have a hero. I don’t idolize either, because I like to keep my art work purely coming from me and 100 percent original. However I do have artists that I admire and respect. Banksy is one of them – as cliché as that might sound. But to me his art work is really strong and jaw dropping, but most of all he never censors his art work. Like the Guantanamo prisoner manikin at Disneyland… come on, you can’t not admire and love such art work.
And how about your artwork? What’s the underlying message behind it?
I let the audience answer that question.
What’s your pseudonym or logo?
I can’t say I have one at the moment. I’m only 21, and sticking to one pseudonym or logo is just way too boring. I do use Mickey Mouse a lot but I always put him in very awkward and contradicting situations, like in mug shots or beaten up. I’m trying to create a hybrid between street art and pop arts. So far Mickey’s my best candidate.
Graffiti is illegal in the UAE and carries a fine and possible jail term. Saif Chilmiran creates legal installations with permission.
