Hopefully you have enjoyed your simulated experience as a street artist of the 21st century. While it is important to acknowledge the contributions of outsiders to collective visual language, I do not condone any engagement in illegal activity such as vandalism. However, I do hope that this experience has generated new questions in your minds about the boundaries of art. Here are some other ideas to consider:
-Has this lesson changed the way you think about the art world, or the urban environment?
-Does popular imagery have a place in the pantheon of artistic themes and subject matter? Why or why not?
-How does the use of mass-production techniques affect the meaning of the artwork itself?
-Do you think that the internet revolution has democratized the sharing of creative work with an audience?
-Does this enhance or invalidate the work in any way?
I encourage you to take to the streets (during the daytime, of course), armed with a digital camera, and explore the art in your own surroundings. Think about how street art compares to public art that has been formally commissioned. How do the materials, subjects, and form differ? This type of exploration teaches a lot about the constituents of the environment itself. In conclusion, what questions have arisen in your mind? Feel free to bring them up in class, or send them directly to my email address.
