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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Here we go again., April 28, 2009
This review is from: Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition (Hardcover)
There is no debating that the original printing of Subway Art , globalized the graffiti movement , giving our friends across the pond a detailed blueprint for letter forms, fresh from NYC's subway lines. In 2009 , there are a plethora of European spray paint companies catering to graffiti with an array of colors named after prominent artists in the culture. The period chronicled in this book (early 80's) is the most well-documented and some of the pieces are breath-takingly beautiful. The photography of Cooper, a pro and Chalfant , an amateur indistinguishable from a pro, show that two distinct styles can indeed co-exist with one another, despite Cap's words to the contrary. (Inside joke!)
The portraits of people are perhaps the strongest of the added material not included in the original version. Full page photos of Kase 2 with a menacing stare, a young Duster and Lizzie and a bat-wielding Dezzy Dez patrolling the 3 yard capture the era magnificently.
Several artists got added play in this new version of the old book and for the most it was the usual suspects (people who were down with Henry and Martha), giving a few of them a disproportionate amount of exposure versus their impact on this culture- a minor flaw, an oblivious public won't care about.
The book is physically huge and there are fold-outs of whole cars . Mitch 77 gets some long overdue love, as does one of the unsung heroes of the peace-loving , Central park bandshell- based version of RTW--RASTA.
Martha Cooper once ventured into the Esplanade Tunnel lay-up with Cap, Seen and myself to shoot action shots of a whole car in 1982. Damn! A quarter century went by fast.
She had huge stones to venture into the tunnel during that time period and although I don't endorse her Hip-Hop version of graff, I give her a lot of respect for that. Henry Chalfant has always been a class act and friend to the movement. If the old version of this book is considered "The Graff Bible", then this is definitely The New Testament.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ridiculous 25th Go & Get, June 23, 2009
This review is from: Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition (Hardcover)
Aiight, if anyone thinks that this isn't a GREAT "2nd Coming" of Subway Art, they're either Jaded or Jealous.
1st of all this book is no -8 1/2 by 11 toss it in yr backpack, bite it and wish you was that dope-type of experience. This FoMo is a genuine coffee table banger, with Clear Large Photos, some old/some new, but even the old ones are new: "Playing on a Wrecked Train" has a Blade Tag that I never seent before, and MIN One is in that Flick!!!WTF!!!I NEVER comprehended him there. That was ill-E to me, cuz like many I have scoured Subway Art for Everything it has. Now I look back and sho'nuff there he is.
Anyways for all the things I wanted to see(a couple more of the classic "Names" pages[there's one] or for instance a dedicated page for the apologies and mistakes like too cold and got chased[there's none])...well for all of my Wants and Wishes, the whole of this book Makes Up For It Like a Mountain Climber. In fact I've ordered another copy just to put in a plastic bag, cause this book Should be on the coffee table, and it Should be Kept with the spine unbroken, just for collectors sake.
The Only other issue is it seems the colors have been tweeked a lil bit to make the pics pop; no hate tho it's just a observation
5 Stars
easy
and Order it here now cuz this book is worth All of the $40 it's priced at. I'd actually say at least $50 for real.
What it Done is What it Do, FSwift been suggested this book for you. PLUS The Man-JSon's and Richie's Happy Holidays car is in full effect and looking mad spec-tacular..Crisp....=](nice review Brother, and Plus Props For Days
Bless
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic. Historic. Thank God for Martha Cooper!, April 18, 2009
This review is from: Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition (Hardcover)
What would we have done without
the great Martha Cooper archiving this history?
It would've been LOST - that's it. Period.
We wouldn't have had this greatness preserved for posterity.
Her archival work - Her journalistic work - Her work as a historian -
are all invaluable. and this book - already a classic - to see it in
this deluxe, large format...was truly wonderful.
The pictures are breathtaking. and considering they can't be found
anywhere else - priceless.
This was a major part of urban & american history that would have been
whitewashed away if not for the valiant effors of Ms. Cooper and I thank
her for it. The book is truly 5 stars.
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