The Art of Getting Over by Stephen Powers
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Book Reviews of The Art of Getting Over
Book Review: Getting Over Before You Are Gone Over
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a piece of history. It is important. There are some nice anecdotes. There are also some great pictures, and that's important because a lot of this art is temporary. Which is part of its beauty. So it is important that people know some history. The history of graffiti is too vast to cover it all in such a short book, but the personal feel (and viewpoint) that Powers employs make this history come alive. The fact that New York City's Mayor Rudy sent his graffiti task force into Mr. Powers' residence to confiscate computer hard disks and other info related to this book because he didn't like the activities of Mr. Powers is a further indication that it is important that this information be preserved. Acts of nonconformity often become co-opted and defused. Therefore it is essential that people remember the past so that it can't be used against them and sold back to them in the form of a Sprite commercial or as a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. Consumption isn't rebellion. The act of purchasing this book isn't rebellious. To "get over" on a society that wants to erase dissent, you need to read this book and preserve history in your memory so that it can't be sold back to you in altered versions.
"The Art of Getting Over": Read it. Learn it. Love it. Live it.
Book Review: Finally, this subject matter is competently handled!
Summary: 5 Stars
St. Martin's Press delivers once again. With the same level of expertise afforded to punk and other marginal cultures, the publisher has set out to unleash an atomic bomb blast on the graffiti universe. There has always been three planets which orbit the literary world of Modern Graffiti. In chronological order: The Faith of Graffiti, text by Norman Mailer; Getting Up by Craig Castleman; and Subway Art by Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper. Add to this list Powers' The Art of Getting Over.
Whereas other offerings have been outsiders looking in (and in most cases piss poor proceedings follow with the aforementioned exceptions), TAGO is as real as it gets. Give Powers' credit for deleting the gratuitous 'glossary' which creeps its way in the amateur ranks and the insertion of style, both graphically and literary, which sets standards not soon to be superceded.
Book Review: ESPO Drives Luxury Cars
Summary: 5 Stars
Steve Powers is one of the greatest modern day artists. His first foray into the world of autordom is a smashing success and a great sign of what is to come from this street hero. His local political activism and work with underpriveliged children is an example we should all follow. How many legendary grafitti artists do you know who will pull up in their Cadillac El Dorado, put in 6-8 hours of volounteer work at an orphanage, campaign against the tyrannic Mayor Guilliani and still have the energy/focus to create a prolific art masterpiece all while alluding the NYC Grafitti Task Force? The answer is none and that is why Steve Powers can forever charge it to the game while mainaining a zero balance. I'm not sure what that means but it sounds pretty good. ESPO is the Best, Yo.Book Review: broadway elegant
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far the best graff book i have ever laid my hands on...Espo is a legend and knows exactly what to present about the culture and how to present it...this is the Subway Art/Spraycan Art for the new millennium...there are so many roots in the book it easily and honestly serves both veterans and/or those just learning about graff...the flicks inside provide a wonderful visuals that brilliantly compliment the textual history which has been masterfully laid down...well worth every penny...
p.s. if you are from philly or new york (especially philly) this book provides a very personalized representation of the effect both these cities had on graff over the years...if i were a bit more emotional it may have brought a tear to my eye...
Book Review: broadway elegant
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far the best graff book i have ever laid my hands on...Espo is a legend and knows exactly what to present about the culture and how to present it...this is the Subway Art/Spraycan Art for the new millennium...there are so many roots in the book it easily and honestly serves both veterans and/or those just learning about graff...the flicks inside provide wonderful visuals that brilliantly compliment the textual history (which has been masterfully laid down)...well worth every penny...
p.s. if you are from philly or new york (especially philly), this book provides a very personalized representation of the effect both these cities had on graff over the years...if i were a bit more emotional it may have brought a tear to my eye...