Customer Reviews

Spraycan Art (Street Graphics / Street Art)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have just replaced my tattered copy of the seminal five star "Spraycan Art" book. This was the first and only book to follow graffiti art out of the NYC subways and around the world. Not only did the book name the art form, but the authors obviously knew and found the key writers of their time. Witness the visionary choice of Mode 2, age 15, on the cover. ....Thirteen years after being first printed, this book is still a vital reference for all of us who are interested in the graffiti aspect of Hip-Hop. I, for one, am grateful that Chalfant and Prigoff were willing to spend the enormous time and effort that was obviously necessary to capture this historic period on film, give voice to the writers through the interview process, and to make available important historic information.

As a public art historian, I recently revisited Spraycan Art. I am told that the sales on this book are approaching 200,000 copies. In 1987 it was the first look at the art form as it traveled out of the NYC subways and around the world and although writers today are more sophisticated with their mastery of the spray can and the imagery they create, the book is still very current in its look at the graffiti world and its place in the Hip Hop scene. It is remarkable to me how Chalfant and Prigoff came to know the key writers of those years, both nationally and internationally. Their contribution to the graf world as professional documentary photographers, authors and resource people has withstood the test of time. It is a must read for current writers, historians or just anyone interested in a unique art form created by youth. Interesting that the book named the art for all time.

On this books you'll see a summary of USA kings writer and a quick summary of european first writers....someone like Delta,Mode2,Bando and so on...all photos are snapped before 1987. This summer i've been in Amsterdam and it was nice to see a throw-up made by Delta in 1985.... it means that the Autors described what really happened in that years.I suggest this book for anyone who wants to know somethig more about reasons and origins of Graffiti and HIPHOP! need2 PEACE!

The book was well written and is a must for any Graffiti artist. The history of Graffiti is fascinating. Great book.

18 years ago when I used to write, this book was a staple in my collection. I learned soooo much from it, it could've been my 'bible' of sorts on the topic of graffiti. Since then, I've redirected my talents into the area of website design and graphic arts.... all I can say to the person wondering if they should get this is YES.

Get this book. read it, study the styles therein. Learn from it. It's more than worth the money, IMO. Speaking of which, Imma probably have to buy a new copy.....

Spraycan Art is a book for any collection! This book shows the artistic side of graffiti art through the lens of a camera...rare graf photos from all over! a great book.

THIS BOOK HAS SO MANY PHAT PIECES. SO MUCH COLOR AND TALENT. WORTH THE MONEY FOR SURE! HAS OLD SCHOOL PIECES FROM ALL OVER THE US AND SOME INTERNATIONAL. IF YOU LOVE ART AND ANYTHING URBAN RELATED THIS IS FOR YOU!

This book is one of the best documentations of world wide graffiti in its early years (mid 80's). Essential reading for any aspiring graffiti artist or art enthusiast in general. This book has served as inspiration to many artist alike.

I gave this a x-mas gift to my 15 yr old son. He loved it

This book did more unifying and legitimizing for graffiti than any other. The vision, depth, and fairness all point to honest journalism. This is an excellent springboard for potential artists to understand the history of the art; I used it to that effect. Back before the Internet and digital photography, it was pretty much the definitive compilation. [So what if they missed the totality of hip hop culture and some local writers--how could one book possibly capture that?]