INDEX
Tools that Reveal Pride in Creation
In the next area, tools and items used for creating street art are displayed along with examples of how they are used. You can really feel the artists’ dedication to their creativity, so be sure to take your time and carefully observe them!
In the display cases, there are brushes and rollers showing the raw traces of creation, which were reportedly borrowed from the exhibiting artists. Additionally, numerous spray nozzle types are showcased. For street artists, nozzles are essential tools. The way colors spread is crucial to the final result, so many artists have a preferred manufacturer or even modify their nozzles themselves, demonstrating a craftsmanship-like attention to detail. This is a far cry from impulsively scribbled graffiti, revealing a true pride in their creations.
It’s incredibly rare to see a “blackbook,” a sketchbook where artists compile their drafts and ideas, displayed at an exhibition. Next to it is an album documenting the works an artist has painted on subway cars. Since it was borrowed under the condition of anonymity, the album’s creator is listed as “unknown”—naturally, because creating on subway cars is an illegal act. While I understand this, I can’t help but feel a strong sense of irony, as street art, which has gained such civic recognition that it can be showcased in an exhibition, could easily be deemed an illegal act. And here I am, standing before glass cases, viewing photographs of those illegal acts as valuable works.
When it comes to street art, the stencil technique, which allows for quick work before getting caught, is essential. The stencils of Tokyo-born artist JIKKENRAT are displayed alongside their silhouettes for viewers to appreciate. In his studio, used stencils with paint scraped off and stuck to masking tape were once applied to windows, filling the room with stenciled images under the light. To recreate this fascinating scene, the exhibition’s organizers have put in great effort. Additionally, the finely cut stencils from Nevercrew are also a highlight and definitely worth paying attention to.
