The Art of Getting Over [Hardcover]

Stephen Powers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

What started as simple street movement, a way to assert individuality and pride, has blossomed into much more: Graffiti is everywhere. From Sprite commercials to The Source magazine to Soho art galleries, the elements and vernacular of the graffiti aesthetic are apparent in today's society. This book examines graffiti's influence from its earliest days to its undeniable ubiquity now. Written by an insider, it includes a general history, in-depth interviews with both the progenitors of the form and current artists, and full-color illustrations of the most important works over the last 30 years. Unlike other subcultures that have been corrupted by the media and the mainstream, graffiti has maintained its sense of the underground and its clandestine feel. The purity and integrity that have defined the graffiti writer's mission have never faltered. The Art of Getting Over offers an unprecedented glimpse into this deeply affecting urban art form.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"More fun than a can of silver with a Jif-Foam cap, The Art of Getting Over is a brilliantly smart and funny look at today's writing movement. A must-read for nozzle-necks and non-inkheads alike."--Anonymous

About the Author

The 5th youngest in a family of 6, Stephen Powers was born with a healthy appetite for attention. Acting up in class never quite satisfied, and learning to ride a unicycle was too hard, so he gorged himself on graffiti. Once filled, he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and began to push his work in the medium towards a continuous dialogue with the masses, first with painting, then publishing On the Go magazine. He lives and paints in New York City. This is his first book, although not the first time he's been booked.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312206305
• ISBN-13: 978-0312206307
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.7 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Over Before You Are Gone Over October 23, 2000

By Noname

Format:Hardcover

This book is a piece of history. It is important. There are some nice anecdotes. There are also some great pictures, and that's important because a lot of this art is temporary. Which is part of its beauty. So it is important that people know some history.

The history of graffiti is too vast to cover it all in such a short book, but the personal feel (and viewpoint) that Powers employs make this history come alive. The fact that New York City's Mayor Rudy sent his graffiti task force into Mr. Powers' residence to confiscate computer hard disks and other info related to this book because he didn't like the activities of Mr. Powers is a further indication that it is important that this information be preserved. Acts of nonconformity often become co-opted and defused. Therefore it is essential that people remember the past so that it can't be used against them and sold back to them in the form of a Sprite commercial or as a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. Consumption isn't rebellion. The act of purchasing this book isn't rebellious. To "get over" on a society that wants to erase dissent, you need to read this book and preserve history in your memory so that it can't be sold back to you in altered versions.

"The Art of Getting Over": Read it. Learn it. Love it. Live it.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ESPO Drives Luxury Cars December 13, 1999

By Matt Bananas

Format:Hardcover

Steve Powers is one of the greatest modern day artists. His first foray into the world of autordom is a smashing success and a great sign of what is to come from this street hero. His local political activism and work with underpriveliged children is an example we should all follow. How many legendary grafitti artists do you know who will pull up in their Cadillac El Dorado, put in 6-8 hours of volounteer work at an orphanage, campaign against the tyrannic Mayor Guilliani and still have the energy/focus to create a prolific art masterpiece all while alluding the NYC Grafitti Task Force? The answer is none and that is why Steve Powers can forever charge it to the game while mainaining a zero balance. I'm not sure what that means but it sounds pretty good. ESPO is the Best, Yo.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars finally a graffiti book by someone from the inside. November 9, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I for one would just like to say that I am thrilled to see Steve's book doing as well as it has. I grew up in New York, writing graffiti and I am happy to see the story of contemorary graff told from the inside by someone who knows. "The Art od Getting Over" is the best graff book of the last decade, if you don't know, now you know, buy it. Oh, and if you live in New York and want to see the billboard for the book, look above the Whitney Museum billboard on Layffayte and Great Jones. That's what I'm talkin about.