FREE GIRAFA!

This piece is the most reasonable article about a social issue that’s been published in The New York Times in years.  It’s always a shame when ignorant people fail to respect and enjoy great art.  The KUSH Collection supports the artists.

Here’s the article:

Graffiti. It’s Good for Blight. Or Is It Bad?

On Tuesday, one of the Bay Area’s most prolific graffiti taggers is scheduled to be arraigned in San Jose. This could be interpreted as a welcome crackdown on a likely vandal, or another sign that art and the state don’t ever get along.

“Girafa,” otherwise known as Steven Free, 30, of San Francisco, is charged with 10 felony counts involving $40,000 in property damage. Milpitas police had also sought Mr. Free for “Giraffe” vandalism. Mr. Free is currently out of jail, after posting $100,000 bail.

His arrest has prompted calls by some Bay Area bloggers to “Free Free” and has revived the old graffiti debate.

Critics say that Mr. Free and his ilk damage property and should face the consequences.

Supporters say his art dresses up abandoned buildings and already blighted areas. There is a Flickr group “Girafa Hunters” dedicated to documenting his work. His most famous themes involve takes on the Toys R’ Us giraffe and the ice cream sandwich It’s It. They can be found on walls, rooftops and evenvehicles throughout the Bay Area.

The Bay Area’s culture of graffiti and street art was recently documented by the photographer Steve Rotman in his book San Francisco Street Art. In an interview on the Internet site Laughing Squid, he says San Francisco has never been more graffiti-free.

Just a few years ago, graffiti was ubiquitous: there were big colorful rooftop pieces in almost every neighborhood, parking lots were layered with years of history, business roll-down gates featured a steady rotation of throw-ups, there were doors crushed with tags citywide, and several Muni tunnels were painted end to end. Almost none of that exists anymore.

Perhaps budding graffiti artists have found safer outlets. A graffiti arts classwill be taught this Saturday at the 1AM Gallery in San Francisco.

At the end of the class, there will be a live demonstration of Nate1 spray painting letters and characters. This is a great opportunity to learn from a local legend in a fun, safe, and creative environment.

Or if you’re afraid of breaking the law, budding graffiti artists are welcomed to try tagging online.

Enjoy the images below taken by Troy Holden!

http://calibersf.com/