EL PASO GRAFFITI ART SHOW

Break Yo Self
Silos Graffiti Art Exhibition 2010
By D. Arredondo & R. Mendiola

EL PASO - Graffiti artists from around the nation were called to the Sun City by fellow muralist Dave "Grave" Herrera to participate in a can food round-up for the homeless.
Herrera, who is no stranger to graffiti art chose the Silos, a massive vacant concrete shell now known as “The Silos Aerosol Art Space”, as a hub for local and out of state graffiti artists to display their artistic talent. Image the Silos as an old abandoned industrial building one may think resembles something in the movie 'Death Wish", minus the violence and anarchy.

The tall cylinder-like structures are festooned with colorful graffiti art, and form a unique and unconventional spectacle for anyone unfamiliar with the underground. To the average spectator, graffiti may as well be an odd script from Mars.

After speaking to graffiti artists at the event, we learned that graffiti is actually it's own language and a rare form of art. In fact many of the graffiti artists we spoke to alleged that they knew each other, not from actual face to face encounters, but from symbols painted on trains.
"Graffiti artists here in El Paso know me as Fuego", said one California graffiti artist we spoke to at the Silos. "Graffiti art is much more than a hobby, it's an obsession", said Fuego, who traveled to El Paso from Long Beach California. "Knowing that my artwork will be exhibited from city to city drives me to do this." he said.

There's much more to true graffiti art than using a cheap marker or spray paint can to scribble on a wall. Professional graffiti art requires the ability to create a sleek visual design and use correct color coordination.

True graffiti art is time consuming, tiring and costly. For one, proper tools such as good paint, a ladder and sometimes even a scaffold is needed.

As for those who may view graffiti art on trains as a negative eye sore?

"Colorful art looks much better than ugly rust." said Fuego.

Quotes

“Website photography is the mural painting of modern times.”