History of a Graffiti Wall in Paris – rue Jean Poulmarch

Over the last year I have been walking down the Jean Poulmarch street near the Canal St Martin. And I noted that there is a huge canvass in that street for graffiti artists. Every time I noticed something different I took a shot of it and recently thought I would post them all here.

Realize that all these changes happened within one year. I also linked to the Google map for anyone who is going to be passing by at the bottom of the post.

Here’s how it looked like when I first saw it back in 2008. I blogged about it then in a post entitled Graffiti: Art or Vandalism in fact the photo I had on that post shows two guys doing something I can’t quite figure out… well, back to the post – here is a better version of that photo.

Poulmarch Graffiti Wall Paris, summer 2008

Then later on it got tagged on and postered on and eventually it was all painted white. And someone did a photo expo on the wall. That lasted a few days and looked like this (not my photo – credit goes to Fondarmental)

Poulmarch Graffiti Wall Paris, winter 2008

Later in early 2009 I walked by and saw someone what totally redone the wall, by that time the photo expo had been gone for a while and taggers had returned to mark their territory once again. But someone came and made a massive poster with great lettering, for a sentence I had a hard time deciphering it reads “I am everywhere” I think the artist is called The Atlas.

Poulmarch Graffiti Wall Paris, early 2009 - I AM EVERYWHERE by ATLAS

But that didn’t last very long either, for reasons I don’t know. And more recently an association called Fondarmental (see their blog here: http://grafflapointepoulmarch.over-blog.com/) redid the wall entirely. I spoke to two of the artists that were doing the wall and they were telling me they get authorization from the Paris City administration to do these paintings. The reason Mr Indy is still in the picture all the time is that he is over the 5 meters limit, above which the City isn’t allowed to paint over.

So here is what it looked like more recently when the artists were working on it:

Poulmarch Graffiti Wall Paris, summer 2009

And how it is complete:

Poulmarch Graffiti Wall Paris, summer 2009 completed

If you are in Paris, here it is on a map click on the image below:

Click on the link to see this on Google Maps

Seeing the T.A.G. Expo – Paris, Grand Palais

Check out that roofing

The contrast between the classic beauty of the Grand Palais and the tags and throw-ups on the poster

The beauty of the Grand Palais stairs up

There were two long walls like this with sprayed canvas pieces down both lines.

Liked the one in the middle that could almost have been a stencil

Like the simple strokes of the couple kissing simple but clear.

Nice lettering – probably not sprayed

Ok so I went to visit the expo and I can say it was not what I expected, but hey that doesn’t mean it was all crap.

When you come to the place the setting is amazing. It is THE Grand Palais in Paris, off the between Alexandre III Bridge and the Champs Elysees. Some of the most amazing architecture in France is in that area. I could ramble about it but the picture will explain better.

I thought it would be pictures of great pieces and a wide variety of graffiti types. Actually I thought this would be a sort of overview on graffiti. As the name T.A.G means Tag and Graffiti, however that isn’t what it is. It is a collection of graffiti by a variety of artists that Alain-Dominique Gallizia has managed to collect. There are some big names in there such as PhaseII and others. Gallizia basically contacted the artists and had them do a standard size piece for him on a theme.

My objection to this is that as it is done on a canvas in a workshop the quality should be 100%, the point is that it’s got to communicate. That’s probably why I like stencils so much (and to my disappointment there wasn’t a single stencil in the whole expo).

[addition]

I re-read my post and thought I would ad this (after the amazing comment from gmozz22) and want to make sure my post is somewhat objective.
1. If you like spray pieces then this is the expo for you. It has many many different styles – of the spray variety.
2. I would have preferred the pieces to be bigger as I felt they didn’t convey what a full graffiti piece is, but I understand it makes it difficult to transport.
3. What I didn’t know when looking up the expo on the net is that it is litterally two large wall panels of same-sized graffiti canvas’ – the entrance fee is 5 EUR which is about half the price of a normal expo.

Voila, now that was my view and up to you to make your own.

[;-]

Added: Lisa Forman (lisaforman.com) sent me a link to the photos she took when seeing the expo which I am publishing here (they are a lot better than mine) enjoy them http://lisaforman.zenfolio.com/p761974343

Human Rights can also be well designed and communicate

We are celebrating the 60 years of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights this year. Which is great, actually that document means more to humanity than most people realize. Probably because the general understanding of what Human Rights are is just not understood well enough. 

Well I guess you live in a place where the majority of these rights are still somewhat respected, but scratch just a bit below the surface and you’ll probably notice one violation after the next.

Now I wont get on a roll about that, rather I wanted to show a few videos that I saw on Human Rights which I think apply the concept of practical design. You may wonder how that applies to graphic design – well the design is usefull if it is aesthetic enough to be admired while delivering the message. 

For example a well designed chair isn’t just comfortable (of course it is that too) but it is pleasing to the eye and does it’s purpose. Well a book cover should not just be pleasing to the eye (it must be that) but it should also communicate to the viewer enough so he picks it up and wants to get it, because it tells him enough about the story to make him want to read it. OK I dont’ want to bore you with these details. Let’s get to the point. 

I saw this video on Human Rights by www.humanrightsactioncenter.org and I really think it is just great. The design attracted me, the way the text merges into the message, into the illustrations, into the animations etc. is just great. And the essential point is that the communication comes across. (Btw, sign their petition to include the declaration of Human Rights into all passports) 

The only problem with the video is that it needs to be redone for every language, and it only works to those that can read. 

The Youth for Human Rights group (www.youthforhumanrights.org) have an amazing series of videos which overcome that (you can download the videos from their site or watch them on YouTube they are in short series and communicate well, the design in this case is the script which is great as it is short and to the point with a minimum amount of words. 

This one is on the Right to Play – the music is particularly good. It sounds like Beck but am not sure and can’t find any reference stating it is or isn’t him. In any case – I love it. 

So in summary, DESIGN TO COMMUNICATE.

Cheers,

[:-]

Almost Stencil Graffiti from Paris

 

As I mentioned in my last post, in walking around in the 10th district in Paris and looking at some of the graffiti culture they have I saw this pasted graffiti. It’s not stencil, it’s not spray – it’s a poster.

It’s by a Paris based street artist called Ludo, and is part of a series called Nature’s Revenge – I had never heard of him before but noticed afterwards that he was done quite some work in Paris.

Check out this link http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/18/view/3573/natures-revenge-by-ludo.html

It’s pretty cool and a different way, pretty environmentally friendly.

What about bio-graffiti?

Enjoy…

 

PS: I was offered a room at a pretty neat hotel in the 10th called Taylor Hotel, it’s a sort of design hotel, the reception area is all decorated with images of posters from early 20th century. Almost stencils… [;-]

Line Art graffiti

I noticed this line art graffiti the other day and thought it is pretty cool. I am probably the only one that thinks a line like this can be cool but I thought I would share my views on it. Of course this does not compare to Dolk, Banksy, Blek le Rat and the other great stencil artists – especially that this isn’t a stencil.

The photo is lowres, it had to snap it while driving  by.

What is neat about this is the way the line changes width and direction, it could be an incomplete piece but I don’t think so as none of the lines form any letters or words.

But if you love lettering like I do then you will appreciate these lines.

Feel free to comment…

[:-]

About Design

A few weeks ago the Church of Scientology launched a new line of books and recorded lectures on CD. There are 19 new books and 11 modules of CDs.

They are released under an overall banner called the Golden Age of Knowledge and Basics which you can learn more about on the web site.

Now I am writing this post from the viewpoint of design and lettering. The book covers, the color, the design and the interior design of these books is spectacular, I cropped a couple of parts from the covers and included them here.

The rules of color harmony have been adhered to exactly, the lettering is real smart - keep in mind that these books and lectures were released in 15 languages. So instead of doing custom lettering for every title in 15 languages what they did was select fonts and combine them into neat lettering.

The book quality is great, all digitally printed hardback books, even have thumb-indexes.

Then comes the CD modules. They’re sort of aerodynamic plastic modules that hold smaller modules within them and transcripts and glossary of same size.

The image above is a front shot of one of the books and one of the CD modules. It’s not really a descriptive shot – mainly artistic but gives some idea.

And check out the web site. It’s got a better shot of each of these books and modules plus a description of each. And enjoy the Flash graphics.

The images here are (in sequence) from, Advanced Procedures & Axioms book and the Thought, Emotion and Effort lectures. Then it is the cover art from the brochure (which you can see on-line) and the image on the bottom is from the Dianetics 55! book and the Unification Congress Lectures.

Enjoy.

[:-]

note: These books are read in a specific sequence, the presentation here is not per that sequence.

Environmentally Friendly Graffiti (masking tape graffiti)

I saw an interesting piece of graffiti the other day. For the lettering boys like myself this is a pretty cool type (for others it’s probably the most boring stuff they’ve seen).

This photo doesn’t really show the piece well though so let me explain. The text LEDEUX that you see here is actually written with masking tape. Yes the type which painters use to cover windows etc.

The serifs on the fonts are really well done with perfectly cut rounded corners and all.

It’s a nice piece of lettering. And it’s even nicer when you look up close and see it’s actually masking tape.

Truly, environmentally friendly graffiti. The funny thing is it could be removed by anyone since it is just tape, yet nobody takes it off.

 

Enjoy.

[;-]

Hilarious signage – read in sequence…

I got these pictures on an email of British signs. I thought they are just too funny to be kept only on email.

And probably someone else has posted them on their blogs too, but it’s just too cool. Who has the got the humor to make a sign like that and the guts to put it up.

And despite the otherwise serious facade of the British, stuff like this is just so unexpected.

Ah how I love these Brits.

Humor is a great thing – how much farther it goes to deliver an otherwise boring message. It’s like those Dolk stencils. One can deliver a message in a placid tone and probably nobody sees it or give it with a touch of humor and it goes a long way and gets remembered.

It’s like what FraudWasteAbuse does with his blog. They’re banal subjects delivered with with a touch of humor and I remember them better than the news of the day.

Cheers all of you.

At the Train Station:
KEEP BACK FROM PLATFORM EDGE
or you may get sucked off

At the Zoo:
PLEASE BE SAFE
Do not stant, sit, climb or lean on zoo fences.
If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick.
Thank you.

In the bathroom:
OUT AIM IS TO KEEP THIS BATHROOM CLEAN
GENTLEMEN: Your aim will help. Stand closer it’s shorter than you think.
LADIES: Please remain seated for the entire performance.

On the High Tension machine:
CAUTION
This machine has no brain
Use your own

On the Air Conditioning Service Van:
Stiff Nipples Air Conditioning Service

On the Nitelink bus:
Ladies, the poles are fitted for your safety.
No dancing.

By the lake:
ATTENTION DOG GUARDIANS  Pick up after your dogs. Thank you.
ATTENTION DOGS  Grrrrr, bark, woof. Good dog.

Outside the Mr. Toskana lather goods store:
MR. TOSKANA has had an expensive divorce
and now needs the money, so SALE NOW ON!!

Somewhere else:
PLEASE
Don’t throw your cigarette ends on the floor
The cockroaches are getting cancer

The Yellow Graffiti Van

I spotted this van the other night while going home and tried to take some night shots of it but they sucked. So was lucky to see that it was back again when I came in in the morning.

I managed to capturesome shots of this Yellow Graffiti covered van. There are hundreds if not thousands of vans with all sorts of graffiti on them. Some good some bad. I particularly like this one for the graffiti not for the van.

If you have some experience with graffiti you will appreciate the quality of these two pieces. The back piece is’t too impressive but the two sides are pretty good.

Well this doesn’t beat the Graffiti Covered building nor the Dolk Stencil Graffiti but the quality of the piece amazed me and somehow it’s better than the Vegetable graffiti’s I saw on other vans.

The yellow house in the back are the series of houses called Nyboder located on Store Kongensgade in Copenhagen. Quite funny actually as they are a historic piece of Copenhagen flanked by a yellow graffiti van – high contrast stuff.

But Seriously Dude… Where’s my Bike? (Some basics on color usage)

I took this shot of a bike in the snow the other day. Following my earlier post (Dude where’s my bike – a lesson in 3D font usage) I thought I would bring this sequel.

Just like the bikes can’t be found in the snow, so will your message if you don’t use your color harmony well. I found the following would be a good basic to start from.

What is color?

Technically we could explain color like some do in encyclopedias. Something like “physical phenomenon of light or vision associated with the various wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagneticspectrum. As a sensation experienced by human beings and some animals, perception of colour is a complex neurophysiological process.” Per the Encarta Encyclopedia.

While this may serve a technical defition it doesn’t give us a better understanding of what color is and how to use it.

Color could be simply said to be a visible characteristic used to distinguish similarities and differences in an object, painting, picture etc.

Arguably more than half of the beauty in an object, painting, picture comes from the color. Think about a bouquet in black and white. It would be nice but it would just not quite be as nice as it could be.

But color can also turn a nice painting or object into something so repellent you just want to get rid of it fast. Imagine a room with beige walls with fine gold ornaments and a Bordeaux carpet and in the middle of that place the most expensive renaissance chair, a true piece of art, painted in bright green. Had your vision been in black and white you would still consider that a gorgeous room.

Almost everyone can somewhat figure out what fits and what doesn’t. But how can you be sure. And what do you do when you are told your Powerpoint presentation needs to feature the company logo which is bright green and simply doesn’t fit with any of the charts you made. Or after you found out at a recent seminar that the color that would best represent your company is red yet all your point of sale materials you have are green.

How can you know what other colors you can use or rather you must use to make the presentation attractive (and thus sell)?

Here is where the laws of color harmony come in. To understand color harmony you first need to understand the word harmony. Harmony is defined as a pleasing effect produced by an arrangement of things. It comes from the Greek word harmonia ‘agreement, concord’ which came from the word harmozein ‘to fit together’.

This is the secret of color using color; harmony. There are laws to color harmony, there are limits and boundaries and exceptions to these which are explained with the color wheel.

Let your bosses have at you, tell you that your presentation needs contain their favorite colors, let the marketing analysts present you their color surveys, no matter what color you are asked to include. With the color wheel you are never lost.

Just like any other field, there are laws to this game and knowing them and having the tools to use them replaces your rickety string ladder with granite steps of certainty.

There is no way around it. The color wheel is a basic to creation like a paint brush is to a painter. You can paint with your fingers but you won’t get a Monalisa.

The color wheel existed long before computers, but recently a company did a pretty neat little software called color-wheel-pro. You’ll find a link to it in my tools section on the right. Try it out – it works well the new version (2.0) fixed some points missng in prior edition. It’s soon perfect.