Graffiti
Picture analysis: Reverse Graffiti
Though graffiti is often pointed at as being illegal and mere vandalism, it can also be used as a powerful tool to address environmental, societal and political issues and, at the same time, to raise awareness.You will firstly learn about reverse graffiti and its goals. Then, you will watch a video and read an article to learn more about street artists’ strategies for denouncing the scourges of our modern world.
Despite its bad reputation, graffiti can have a strong, positive impact on people and on society. You will now discover what reverse graffiti is and understand its impact.
Here is an example of reverse graffiti
Reverse graffiti is also known as clean graffiti, green graffiti or even clean advertising. It is a creative method consisting in creating temporary images on walls by removing dirt from its surface using a piece of cloth or a high-power washer.Reverse graffiti has sometimes been used for advertising but it is also used by artists such as Moose to deliver specific messages.
With this graffiti of an electric car with no exhaust fumes, Moose acts as an activist. He protests against pollution and the way the planet is slowly being destroyed.
His aim is to attract passers-by’s attention. He is a clever actist since he ‘’cleans’’ words and visuals into dirty walls. Authorities aren’t quite sure what to make of this, as it is not vandalism in the traditional sense. He wants everybody to fight against climate change and global warming. It wants us to join his cause. Do want to get involved ?
‘Reverse graffiti’ highlights traffic pollution in cities
Graffiti artist creates mural from London pollution to highlight need for cleaner transport
By Sophie Yeo
It may come as a surprise to Londoners to learn that not all walls are actually black.
Air pollution is the problem that a “reverse graffiti” artist is seeking to highlight in a new London mural, created by washing away the dirt ingrained in the city’s walls.
London has the worst air pollution in the UK, causing around 3,000 people to die prematurely every year. Recently, the air on Oxford Street was found to have the highest recorded levels of pollutant NOx on the planet. The primary culprit is London traffic, which spews particulate matter over the city’s busiest streets, turning them black.
Today, street artist Moose unveiled a new 10-metre long mural in Waterloo, depicting London’s famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Shard, Battersea Power Station and the London Eye.
The work was commissioned by Nissan to highlight the benefit of electric cars like its LEAF model in creating cleaner cities. And the image was drawn with a pressure washer powered by the LEAF’s car battery.
“I’ve been using reverse graffiti for fifteen years now, in fact I named it,” said Moose.
“My whole ethos is about highlighting the amount of pollution we endure daily using a very positive harmless method that never fails to ask questions about what we accept and what we shouldn’t accept in our environment.”
Video: Graffiti : art or vandalism ?
CBS news report on the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
Right or wrong ? Correct when wrong
The report has been shot in San Fransisco R/W
Gary hates the graffiti plastered on the walls of his workshop ( =atelier) R/W
Fortunately, graffiti appear only on the walls. R/W
The town inhabitants are very positive regarding (= concerning) graffity. R/W
That is the reason why a museum has set up (= mettre en place) an exhibition to promote this art which appeared 30 years ago. R/W
It exhibits the works of the 15 most famous street artists like Retna and Banksi. R/W
The aim of this exhibition is that talented artists can make a living of their art. R/W
The efffect produced by this exhibition is a multiplication of graffiti around the country. R/W
The visitors of the exhibition are mostly graffiti artists. R/W
Laura used to think graffiti were vandalism and wished these vandals could not express themselves. R/W
Gary thinks that the people who like graffiti should have them at home . R/W
Very very few people believe that street art should be exhibited in museums . R/W
Brandalism
French street artist Zevs, known for « liquidating » famous logos by pouring paint over them, was arrested early yesterday after a Chanel logo on the façade of a Central building received the same treatment.
