2008 Woodie Awards
Graffiti gains recognition in First Friday street art exhibition
Anthony Troester
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Features
Editor's Note: The following story is about graffiti as street art and the way certain citizens see it as a legitimate art form. The Daily Nebraskan does not condone vandalism.
While some see graffiti as an eyesore on downtown buildings, others see true art on an urban canvas. Street art, or graffiti as it's commonly known, isn't widely considered a legitimate contribution to the art world - but there are people that would like to change that.
Two64, a streetwear boutique on 13th and P streets, is hosting Lincoln's first street art exhibition compiling work from Omaha and Lincoln artists for First Friday. The show is being presented by NE State of Mind, a blog dedicated to the documentation of Midwest street life.
John Pinning, assisting in the promotion of the show, said that they're providing an outlet for street art in a focused environment. "We're showing that there's a entire lifestyle for Lincoln and Midwest street life. Here they can get into the alternative street art scene. Lincoln is small but very productive," he said.
This won't be your typical art show. Among the featured art will be graffiti on multiple media such as canvas, signs and metal scraps. Pinning said that there's a big interest in the Midwest for alternative art. "There's a lot of galleries around here that show paintings, birds and landscapes, which can be boring and bland," Pinning said. "This show is for artists that aren't trying to fit a mold, and just wanting to express their abilities."
The theme of this art gallery is that of urban lifestyle, including photography, sketches and music that involve Lincoln and Omaha artists. "This is for the people who are into the street life of the Midwest," Pinning said. "Whether that be skateboarding, basement shows, bicycling ... there's a whole different scene out there. There's more to Lincoln than the college party crowd."
The gallery at Two64 is an outlet for street art, and Pinning's goal is to show that there's a scene for alternative street art and bring it in from the street. "We're simply documenting a subculture of street art, not condoning illegal activities."
Anonymity is the crux of street art; the process isn't exactly legal. Street artists' works are recognized by their unique style and moniker and aren't accredited to their real-life identity.
Under his moniker "gnOme", a street artist who is going to be featured at Two64's gallery tonight has done distinctive work around the Lincoln and Omaha area. gnOme's work includes a couple trademark signatures - Mayan-style characters, symbols resembling hieroglyphics and chameleons. There's a lot of inspiration that goes into gnOme's paintings, a few of those being Latin American literature and music that he DJs and produces.
gnOme said that he enjoys native street art but also likes to do pieces for galleries. "I guess it's like two sides to a coin," gnOme said. "With the street art, you get that adrenaline rush, and the satisfaction that people will see it the next morning on the way to work. But when you do the art show thing, you get recognition for what was illegal the night before."
Street art as a trend has been growing, as highlighted by Red Bull contracting gnOme to do specific walls in Omaha. Some street artists are now being hired, and even supplied the paint, to take their talents to certain areas where people want the unique style.
"I guess it's kind of looked at in an ugly way at times and seen as just a part of a city, like smog," gnOme said. "It's cool that it's finally getting exposed as a culture. There's a lot of artists doing this."
As well as being featured at tonight's art show at Two64, gnOme and his partner News recently painted a wall inside Two64. People that go will get a chance to see their commercial and contracted art as well as other personal pieces brought in.
anthonytroester@dailynebraskan.com
While some see graffiti as an eyesore on downtown buildings, others see true art on an urban canvas. Street art, or graffiti as it's commonly known, isn't widely considered a legitimate contribution to the art world - but there are people that would like to change that.
Two64, a streetwear boutique on 13th and P streets, is hosting Lincoln's first street art exhibition compiling work from Omaha and Lincoln artists for First Friday. The show is being presented by NE State of Mind, a blog dedicated to the documentation of Midwest street life.
John Pinning, assisting in the promotion of the show, said that they're providing an outlet for street art in a focused environment. "We're showing that there's a entire lifestyle for Lincoln and Midwest street life. Here they can get into the alternative street art scene. Lincoln is small but very productive," he said.
This won't be your typical art show. Among the featured art will be graffiti on multiple media such as canvas, signs and metal scraps. Pinning said that there's a big interest in the Midwest for alternative art. "There's a lot of galleries around here that show paintings, birds and landscapes, which can be boring and bland," Pinning said. "This show is for artists that aren't trying to fit a mold, and just wanting to express their abilities."
The theme of this art gallery is that of urban lifestyle, including photography, sketches and music that involve Lincoln and Omaha artists. "This is for the people who are into the street life of the Midwest," Pinning said. "Whether that be skateboarding, basement shows, bicycling ... there's a whole different scene out there. There's more to Lincoln than the college party crowd."
The gallery at Two64 is an outlet for street art, and Pinning's goal is to show that there's a scene for alternative street art and bring it in from the street. "We're simply documenting a subculture of street art, not condoning illegal activities."
Anonymity is the crux of street art; the process isn't exactly legal. Street artists' works are recognized by their unique style and moniker and aren't accredited to their real-life identity.
Under his moniker "gnOme", a street artist who is going to be featured at Two64's gallery tonight has done distinctive work around the Lincoln and Omaha area. gnOme's work includes a couple trademark signatures - Mayan-style characters, symbols resembling hieroglyphics and chameleons. There's a lot of inspiration that goes into gnOme's paintings, a few of those being Latin American literature and music that he DJs and produces.
gnOme said that he enjoys native street art but also likes to do pieces for galleries. "I guess it's like two sides to a coin," gnOme said. "With the street art, you get that adrenaline rush, and the satisfaction that people will see it the next morning on the way to work. But when you do the art show thing, you get recognition for what was illegal the night before."
Street art as a trend has been growing, as highlighted by Red Bull contracting gnOme to do specific walls in Omaha. Some street artists are now being hired, and even supplied the paint, to take their talents to certain areas where people want the unique style.
"I guess it's kind of looked at in an ugly way at times and seen as just a part of a city, like smog," gnOme said. "It's cool that it's finally getting exposed as a culture. There's a lot of artists doing this."
As well as being featured at tonight's art show at Two64, gnOme and his partner News recently painted a wall inside Two64. People that go will get a chance to see their commercial and contracted art as well as other personal pieces brought in.
anthonytroester@dailynebraskan.com
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