.....
Mr. Lu-a few questions...
1) What type(name brand) of spray paint is available for graffiti artists in the DR?
2) Aside from spray paint cans, do you use other mediums like small paint rollers and stencils?
3) I know in many countries graffiti art is a sub-culture with their own underground magazines and communities of artists that branch out into other forms like gallery work-what is the scene like in the DR?
Hey,
For this painting, I used a generic, off the shelf spray, called "Touch -n- Tone." Nothing special about it. It comes in regular and "matted" versions. If you use it to paint metallic surfaces, you can tell the difference. There really isn't much choice when it comes to cans. Each one cost about RD$90 at the local hardware. It's what they had, so you know, go with it.
I tried searching for Krylons and other brands, but this is what I had. It's what I have used on other painting projects here.
Usually, there are shops in the states where you can get a wider variety of cans and colors. There are also places where you can buy the can's tips. Using the proper tips can allow for better handle, and detail on a painting. If you know what you are doing with the tips they can help you add different dimensions to your project.
In general, I use a lot of different materials and techniques to create. This one was just a day to paint. Hadn't done it in a while and felt the need to just go out and paint. I didn't plan much, other than having a sketch in my head of what I wanted to do. But when I go out and paint something I bring a "design map", which points out exactly what I want to paint etc. If I have time and space I can use a stencils or acrylic paints, rollers, brushes etc. I guess what I am saying is that in the "artistic" sense you never limit yourself.
As far as I know, the jump from street art to the gallery art will never be made, in the DR. Partly, because there is no "sub-culture" to support it's development. Why? Looking at hip-hop "culture" through an analytical eye, you see that the culture and its varied parts were created in New York City in a very organic way. I mean hip-hop, it's 5 elements (rap music, grafitti, break dancing, DJing, MCing) and the B-Boy, goes back to the mid 1970's and even farther back, if you trace the origins.
In the DR, you don't have this organic development. What you do have is a replicate of a culture. It is a transplanted culture. It is imitated. Why does this matter? Well, organic cultures, developed through social "backlash," as a response to "something," grow within themselves and mature. They are based on something and are a response to a greater social phenomenon.
Organic cultures allow for innovation, subtle progression and a quality of self expression. That ability to express through art, no matter the medium, is greatly tied to an ability to think beyond the normal bounds and push the limits, beyond just artistic ability. It is a matter of innovative thinking.
An ability for these "sub-cultures" to grow, also greatly depends on an ability by the "housing" culture to accept this new culture or art form as something legitimate. If you go to Amsterdam, Marseilles, Berlin, New York, Cape Town this sub-culture has been accepted, to a certain degree, as a legitimate art form, and has allowed the artistry to move beyond a the walls on a street level.
I mean in New York City, even though there is always an argument of the usage of "public space," graffiti art has become part of the city's identity and has been accepted as a viable form of expression.
But the DR is far beyond that. Why? Maybe we can use this forum to have that conversation.
Don't get it wrong. There are some talented artists here, in the DR. Some fantastic artists, aerosol, or otherwise, that do some incredible stuff. I know some cats who work in a variety of mediums, who are, in my opinion, world class. Yet, that "cultural" aspect is missing. There aren't "Crews," "techniques," or magazines. There isn't a language or that underground vibe to it. I mean this conversation, can lead me to discuss my problems with Dominican hip hop and how I'd rather listen to cats squeal, than listen to that garbage. But I only have so much time.
On a final note, I will use this space to differentiate between graffiti painting and "tagging." Tagging is just a general reference to writing your name using aerosol or anything other paint. It's foolish, unless done with a real purpose. It is often confused with the actual artistry of graffiti art. Anytime you see some kid's name on a city wall, don't confuse it with the actual artistic quality of graffiti.
Mr. Lu