Customer Reviews

Graffito

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I painted graffiti from the age of thirteen 'till the age of twentytwo, I know some of the most prominent people in this field and I have made a name for my crew. I'm settled down now and make a living as a Graphic Designer, so I consider myself a valid critic for this book, I am not a writer(book) so please bare with my sloppy writing. These are MY opinions so don't sweat me The book is a wonderful attempt of trying to make graffiti more understood but there seems to be certain things that annoyed me about the book. The writing consisted mostly of quotes from graffiti painters in the "Northern California" part of the U.S. Eventhough the quotes were pretty explosive they did not stand by themselves, and came across as fashionable or "cutting edge",they had a type of MTV commercial feel to them. I felt like someone was trying to sell me on the whole graffiti thing. The book was only skin deep as far as research goes, with this I mean, that if you are not a graffiti painter you are left with very little content after reading this book. Most of the pictures were of poor quality murals and it seemed like the author made small efforts to expand his horizon, reaching out to different types of painters and law enforcement agencies. It seems to me like the author knew some graffiti painter and said one day -"Hey lets make a book". So he started making his book and only talked to his one graffiti friend, including that graffiti friends circle of friends. I said that the murals in this book were of poor quality. I know of several great graffiti painters in the U.S that are easy to get in touch with that create awsome "burners" (murals), frankly, I think most of the artists that were represented with some exeptions are horrible graffiti artists. I was also dissapointed with the comments of most artists, but that is besides the point. As a graphic Designer I have to speak out on the lay-out and general design of this book. It is horrible, sometimes text is layed over textured backgrounds that make it nearly impossible for the reader to understand. It is very hard to read some parts of the book. Thumbs up to whoever took the photos. The photographer captured the sensations of going out at night and painting, I feel that the photographer did more real explaining and commenting about the art of graffiti than the author and angry painters put together.

GRAFFITO is not to be taken lightly. It paints graffiti artists and the hip-hop subculture in an informative raw light. Looking at both sides of the graffiti phenomenon, Walsh shows how the heroes/criminals of graffiti feel about their misunderstood art and how the public interprets it . I was very happy with the myriad of quotes from interviews with actual established writers who live, breath, and sleep graffiti. Although a little profane at times, this book does not cut any corners or leave any of the truthfulness surrounding graffiti out. Graffiti has and always will be revered by its participants and despised by it's enemies. I'm glad that Michael Walsh took the time to hear and voice the thoughts of those so immersed in it. A definite for any graffiti enthusiast. Good pictures too.

This is one helluva book. Big on graphics...great black and white photographs...an excellent show of San Francisco Bay graffiti by someone on the outside who takes the objective viewpoint. It's the only graffiti book I'm aware of that includes quotes from the abatement side of the issue...this makes it more accessible and interesting than other graffiti books that show mostly color photos with little content. I also like the way the author approaches the graffit issue as a cultural phenomenom that is widely misunderstood. The author is most intererested in why this phenomenon keeps growing and why these kids are compelled to put their art in public places...it's also refreshing that Walsh in his introduction explores the idea that both sides of the issue(the graffiti writers vs. the abatement organizations)actually need each other and fuel each others causes. The graphics are powerful and fresh. The rough, chaotic style that Walsh used to design the book really mirrors its subject...and the black and whites really give the book an added dimension. If you appreciate art and want an objective view on this very interesting and misunderstood subject buy this book.

For the record, this is one terrific book. It showcases much graf talent from the perspective of someone who is not a graf artist but appreciates the merit of graffiti-as-art. This is also one of the best showcases of (West Coast) DREAM, who was murdered last week, and whose life was one singlular contribution to graf. DREAM helped to plant the hip-hop art seed in the WC. Forget the politics, and ignore any hater-isms disguised as hip-hop victimization, if you are an artist and can afford $22 bones, get this book.

GRAFFITO is the name Michael Walsh chose for his survey of an art form that has been around for centuries but now has taken on a whole new magnitude. Some may wonder why the title is Graffito and not Graffiti - and therein is the beginning of why this book is superior to many others about this form of artistic expression. According to the dictionary 'Graffito is a two-color drawing technique which creates the difference of color by simulating the scratching of the painted surface whereas Graffiti is a type of deliberate application of a media made by humans on any surface.' Taking it from both aspects of the medium, Walsh's commentary is almost as powerful as his photographic images.

Concentrating on West Coast 'canvases' between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Walsh carefully leads the reader through the lifestyles and execution techniques of the artists whose works are shown. Heavier on imagery than written word is a wise decision for this book: graffiti is a visual statement, images are meant to stimulate a response form the viewer - and that response is as individual as the mental baggage the viewer brings to the experience. In all the layout and design and content is excellent - a book that deserves a place in the libraries of art schools, and homes of art collectors and socially minded people. Grady Harp, April 11

Get this book to check out the real low down on what's going on in the Bay Area scene. Walsh goes deep and interviews graf writers and the establishment. The interview quotes are revealing and direct. Great book design and photographs! The black and white photographs especially capture the mood and isolation of the graf artist. I hope Walsh continues his work with portraying the graf scene.

Wow! This book is a graphic and photographic bonanza. It gets down to what the writers think and feel and there's also comments and quotes from the law. Even though the text is difficult to read in a few places it fits in with the rawness of the subject matter. The interview quotes are great. Walsh takes this subject and puts his take on it from both an artistic and journalistic point of view. His dynamic interpretation with great black and whites and graphics make this book sing and a real collector's item for anyone who appreciates experimental book design. Walsh is definitely on to something with his new exciting brand of photojournalism. Reliable sources tell me that he's been working in Taiwan for a few years and now putting together a documentary photography book on Taiwanese culture. I'll be waiting for it.

I bought this book on the recomendation of a friend, who like me knew nothing about the graffiti subculture or the people who do it. I see graffiti everyday in San Francisco and wanted to know what motivated these people. Some of it I can appreciate but much of it appears to be childish vandalism. Through quotes and pictures from both sides of this issue Walsh does an excellent job by bringing this very closed subculture to normal everyday people like me who see it all the time and want some kind of understanding. I find the black and white photographs especially compelling in their starkness. What he gives is a little view or insight of a much larger picture that no one understands except the people who do it. Buy this book if you want an objective view from someone outside the subculture. Finally, I've browsed through the other reviews presented here and find most of the ones by graffiti writers themselves hilarious in their arrogance and their lack of understanding on how their actions effect people in their community. Give me a break. These kids are starving for attention and causing millions of dollars of damage to public and private property and they can't handle it when an 'outsider' such as Walsh does a piece on them. When art is brought out into the public domain it's fair game. These kids have been screaming for attention by putting their art and tags in public and now they get some attention and moan about it. Wake up.

This book is still powerful and fresh after it's release 10 years ago. Awesome photography! Cool layouts. For me the best part is all the quotes and interviews from the graffiti artists and cops, etc. Buy this book if you want to see some fine SF graffiti.

Great book on the SF graffiti scene. Excellent photography in color and black and white. There are also many interviews from graffiti writers and abatement people. These interviews really help understand what's beyond the writing on the wall. Walsh did a great job with the book design. A must for anyone's art book collection or anyone interested on the deeper issues of the graffiti scene.