Art in the Streets

A couple of weeks ago, my brother-in-law Key told us about the Art in the Streets exhibit at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (April 17-August 8, 2011). Frank and I LOVE graffiti art, and Frank is especially intrigued by Bansky. Key said that courtesy of Bansky, admission to the exhibit on Mondays is FREE. We were planning on checking it out on a weekend, as Frank has to work weekdays. However, this past Monday July 25, Frank came home early! So I texted my dear friend Jenny and she met us there for an afternoon of art, ice cream, and inspiration in Little Tokyo.

It was incredible to see art that literally developed in the streets of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Sao Paulo. Graffiti art proves that creative people will find a way to express their vision and their message. These artists create canvasses out of any and every surface available, and their images are accessible to everyone. So defacing public property isn't necessarily a good thing. However, when it's done with skill and passion, I can certainly appreciate the results. Some of my favorite installations were by Lee Quinones, Retna, Saber, Risk, and Mode 2.

Frank & Jenny checking out the anti-graffiti installation.

Lee Quinones

Frank in front of a Lee Quinones piece.

Invader and Retna piece.

Los Angeles Wall

Saber

Freight Train exhibit

Henry Chalfant

Mode 2

Frank & I next to Banksy's Yogi Bear

Risk's Bus