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Documentary filmmaker Jon Reiss spent three years traveling around the world to film graffiti art in from New York to Tokyo, from Paris to Rio, from Los Angeles to Capetown, and to interview the artists who risk public censure, arrest and jail time, and even death, to make it.
Using interviews with art historians and critics, Reiss informs us that humans have been writing on walls ever since prehistoric times, and that tourists have been carving their names on landmarks of one sort or another since ancient times.
The Contemporary Graffiti Scene
The artists featured in the film are those who began 'tagging' (writing their names) during the 1970s, spurred on by the hip hop movement. In the US, the urban graffiti craze began in Philadelphia, but quickly spread to New York and other world capitals.
We see how the art form and style of writing have evolved from small and simply drawn name tags on subway platform pillars to the sides of subway cars to larger than life murals that cover entire sides of buildings with elaborate calligraphy and iconic images. Or, they hijack billboards and paint over standard advertising.
The artists -- including Cope 2, Kid Acne, Arofish, Augor, Bel-Kia, Chaz Bojorquez and Shepard Fairey, among others -- speak frankly about their purpose and philosophy. Because of the controversial nature of their work and activities, many of them hide their identities by covering their faces with bandannas or retreating into the shadows provided by hoodies.
Many of the artists have channeled their urban anger to what they consider to be a public service.
They see themselves as urban guerrillas who are rebelling against the private appropriation and control of public space and they 'bomb' public space with their art. They consider the straight lines of architecture to be urban blight, and see the preponderance of billboards with objectionable advertising images as a way of brainwashing the public to consume. Their art is a rebellion against all that.
On the other hand, public officials and property owners consider them to be gangsters whose antisocial behavior and vandalism should be punished by law.
The Use of Public Space
With the artist interviews, and with extensive footage of the graffiti art and of the artists at work, and comments by officials and local residents, Reiss sets up a fascinating debate about the use of public space. Is graffiti art an appropriate use of public space, or is it vandalism?
Bomb It also shows how graffiti art has been brought from the streets into the galleries and museums and has, despite its controversial beginnings, become highly collectible. It's interesting to see how the artists vary in their responses to the commercialization of their work. Some completely eschew commercialization, while others have developed products that capitalize on their skills and style.
All in all, Bomb It is an entertaining and penetrating look at contemporary culture.
Documentary filmmaker Jon Reiss spent three years traveling around the world to film graffiti art in from New York to Tokyo, from Paris to Rio, from Los Angeles to Capetown, and to interview the artists who risk public censure, arrest and jail time, and even death, to make it.
Using interviews with art historians and critics, Reiss informs us that humans have been writing on walls ever since prehistoric times, and that tourists have been carving their names on landmarks of one sort or another since ancient times.
The Contemporary Graffiti Scene
The artists featured in the film are those who began 'tagging' (writing their names) during the 1970s, spurred on by the hip hop movement. In the US, the urban graffiti craze began in Philadelphia, but quickly spread to New York and other world capitals.
We see how the art form and style of writing have evolved from small and simply drawn name tags on subway platform pillars to the sides of subway cars to larger than life murals that cover entire sides of buildings with elaborate calligraphy and iconic images. Or, they hijack billboards and paint over standard advertising.
The artists -- including Cope 2, Kid Acne, Arofish, Augor, Bel-Kia, Chaz Bojorquez and Shepard Fairey, among others -- speak frankly about their purpose and philosophy. Because of the controversial nature of their work and activities, many of them hide their identities by covering their faces with bandannas or retreating into the shadows provided by hoodies.
Many of the artists have channeled their urban anger to what they consider to be a public service.
They see themselves as urban guerrillas who are rebelling against the private appropriation and control of public space and they 'bomb' public space with their art. They consider the straight lines of architecture to be urban blight, and see the preponderance of billboards with objectionable advertising images as a way of brainwashing the public to consume. Their art is a rebellion against all that.
On the other hand, public officials and property owners consider them to be gangsters whose antisocial behavior and vandalism should be punished by law.
The Use of Public Space
With the artist interviews, and with extensive footage of the graffiti art and of the artists at work, and comments by officials and local residents, Reiss sets up a fascinating debate about the use of public space. Is graffiti art an appropriate use of public space, or is it vandalism?
Bomb It also shows how graffiti art has been brought from the streets into the galleries and museums and has, despite its controversial beginnings, become highly collectible. It's interesting to see how the artists vary in their responses to the commercialization of their work. Some completely eschew commercialization, while others have developed products that capitalize on their skills and style.
All in all, Bomb It is an entertaining and penetrating look at contemporary culture.
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Film Details:
- Title: Bomb It
- Director: Jon Reiss
- Release Date: April 25, 2008
- Running Time: 93 mins.
- Parental Advisory: Content advisory for parents
- Country: USA
- Locations: New York, Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo, Rio de Janiero, Los Angeles and other cities around the world
- Language: English and French, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, German, with subtitles.
- Production Company: Antidote Films
- Distribution Company: Gravitas Ventures
- Official Website
- Trailer