When art historians gather, they discourse on old schools and new schools, critics and canons, originality and plagiarism, purity and commercialism. Such academic concerns are usually out of place at an alternative space like the Randolph Street Gallery. But the recent assembly there of historians, artists, and apprentices was not typical.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
One rapper and tagger in a white painter’s cap repeatedly announced his readiness to sign a new recording deal while denouncing CTA ploys to domesticate graffiti writers with art-school scholarships and legal spray zones. “Sounds like the CTA and graffiti writers chilling together,” he said, shaking his head. “What is this? I’m not going to kick back with a conductor–‘How do ya like my piece.’”
Rapper Ang 13, one of the panelists, was obsessed with who did what first and best, and did it for real and not for cash or fashion. And who got credit for it. “When Ronald McDonald starts rapping, I want to quit,” she said.
“Obviously my experience is in the 60s,” she said, mentioning antiwar marches and looking for a link between her experiences and theirs. Ang 13, who could find no tie between hippies and hip hop, mocked Mortell about “burning your bra and putting flowers in your hair.”
One woman in the audience found graffiti “fascinating” but couldn’t figure it out, admitting she was “a middle-class person.” Another audience member asked her if she understood abstract art. She said she did, adding, “I’ve taken art history courses.”
One youth mouthed a line of liberal sociology, claiming he’s no vandal–he’s a victim of depersonalizing social forces. “That’s just the way we’re brought up in our society,” he said. Scratching his name on bus windows and marking up el cars is how he achieves “fame” in his circle. “Fame is a form of respect, instead of respect being respect.”
“Property causes the problem that causes graffitti.” Kids who own nothing stake a claim by signing windows and walls, seats and stations. These “resistance writers” don’t subscribe to the go-to-jail school of civil disobedience; their petty crimes are anonymous.
