Experimenting with a new form of canvas

Graffiti evolves: styles evelve, letter forms evolve, backgrouunds evolve and the canvas evolves. I had the oppertunity to try something different from a wall, and it was great fun i must say. It was..adapting the letters to a different form. Bloody marvelous.

Does the compomise hinder the project

Having to put up boards isn't really what i wanted to do..there's something about it that doesnt feel permanent. I've always considered that this could be the way to get around it all, considering the classifiaction and architecture of the whole site. Graffiti as we know it started on trains, it then was pushed onto the streets, onto walls, now boards are used in competitions, shows, and even walls around the UK, for example the walls in Southbank are actually boards.
After contacting the writers who have agrred to b involved (those who have so far replied) haven't got a problem with painting on boards which is quite a relief because i want them to feel like they're painting for a purpose and a cause. Not just for the sake of painting on any old wall.
My stand is that i want something permanent, i want future students to think that other avenues of art are being given the attention needed. So i suppose it comes down to the question of how long Chelsea are willing to kep the boards up for. All i can do now is to put as much into it as possible to give the impression that this is a worthy asset for the encouragement of art and design in different disciplines.

we found a wall..well a compromise

OK so this is what i was afraid of but i understand and it all makes sense. So the only ideal place for this wall was to be on that lovely white wall with the arches where the letters can harmoniously cuve around bends and so forth, HOWEVER it turns out that the particular building in question was a World War2 Hospital Chapel. For thse who didnt know this site we reside in here at Chelsea was a World War Hospital. So what we have devised is to put up boards along the wall infront as briefly discussed.

Some of the writers

here are some of the writers that are interested in coming down to paint.

SICK


ELUSE


TEK1


HESER


MIGHTY MONKEY(/LONDON FRONTLINE)


SHOK1


RT CREW


I am tryin to capture a vairety of styles that are included in graffiti, some writers such as tek1 and mighty monkey are exceptionally credited for their characters, however approach them differently. shok1 is also known for his characters, however has also has a huge repitation for his organic forms of lettering.
Each writer has explained to me they will probably bring a few more people down with them so other writers that will be there can't b confirmed until sketching starts.

in search of a wall

I walked around the Chelsea campus looking for an appropriate wall to turn into a wall of fame. What i am looking for from a wall is enough space to hold 3-4 writers at a time with anough height. I would also like it to be rather close to the Triangle Space where the Final Show will be and I would like it to also be in a good postion to be seen by the public..ther's no point in having a wall if no one can see it now is there?
I haven't actually found anywhere that is perfect, however there have been a couple possibilities.

This is the most obvious wall which leads to the workshops from the triangle space. It would be beautiful however the wall is too low, not much can be done.


These two walls are behind the triangle space. These walls fit a much more desired scale and there is enough space to record the paintings. however the problems with these are that a) they lead to and are within the garden(right now there is a No Entry sign up) so this maybe area that the college may not want to be trampled all over. And b) its position is hidden from the triangle space so can easily be missed.



NOW this particular wall(the white one alongside the wall behind the arches) made me dribble!! i close my eyes and saw scenes of beautiful letters curving and bendin around such smooth surfaces..caressing the architecture, letterforms gliding from behind the pillars to the huge open space like doves!! the only problem i have with this wall is that people may get in the way of the recording(the college may have other concerns).


These have been the only walls i've seen that would somehow fit the requirements needed for space. Im not too sure where to go from here... another solution would be to put boards up for the following 14 weeks. Places I have considered to be reaonable places have been along the recycling bins, along the wall infront of the beautiful bright white 'un, or the greatest,
most satisfying ppostion along the actual triangle space( dribble some more)!!


The only problem I have with resorting to boards it that it may make the project feel temporary. The whole idea of a wall of fame is that it is permanent and indelible, boards can be taken away.

Talking to a few writers about my project a few responses have been "IM THERE..", "OHHHH HELL YEAH", and "IM SALIVATING"