Collabo Mode: Local Artists Go in on a Wall
The Collaboration
Collaboration defined as working together to achieve a goal. On a more intrinsic level, it’s shared passion, skills, pasts, presents and personal histories. “Reaching an identical objective” (the Wikipedia version) the theoretical definition of collaboration as demonstrated through graffiti is somewhat, if not all together a different animal. Mixed in with the traditional explanation, are passion, street code, the eminent feeling of lawlessness and protection of oneself and ones crew from being on the wrong side of the law.
The Crew
Before crew comes trust, comradery and respect; a friendship of sorts or at least something close to it.
For me, a friendship is defined as a cohesive pair or group of like-minded individuals, bound together by understanding and trust. Often this group of people can know more things about you and be more supportive about decisions than ones family. In some cases, this group of friends can be called a crew, which can often play a vital role in an artist’s life, especially a graffiti artist. Crews can challenge, teach and often are the catalyst for launching an artist’s career. Crews can serve as families apart from our biological ones.
Working Late into the Night
Friends can also be visual proof of your history, as it pertains to the impact an artist has on the people he or she runs with and paints
with.
The Collaborative Art
Collaboration and crews go hand-in-hand in the underground world of graffiti.
Often times we hear artists tell stories of artists being introduced into the graff life or a friend who put them on to a huge opportunity that catapulted them into doing art as a professional. Collaboration can inspire us to learn different styles, techniques and should also encourage us to push boundaries.
