Podd: Svenska Graffare Podcast

Episod 57. ArtStreetHbg 2021 (Minisode)

3 augusti 2021 | 15 min

In memoriam: James "Jim" Prigoff. 1927 - 2021

23 april 2021 | 3 min

I did not know Jim Prigoff well but was
delighted to be able to ask him a few
questions during the Urban Creativity
Conference in 2020, when he participated in
an on-line Q&A session together with Henry
Chalfant and Susan Farell.

Jim answered candidly and made quite a lively
impression in spite of his respectable age.
We stayed in touch after the conference via
e-mail, discussing the origins and
trajectory of style writing and were
plannning an audio interview for my podcast.

That was, sadly, never to be recorded but
he did humbly devote the time and effort to
type down some lenghty and super interesting
answers to some of the many questions I had.

I was planning to try and get it published
as an article sometime down the line but
learning of Jims recent passing, it feels
more appropriate to make it available here,
for free and as a tribute to his work.

This interview was conducted on the 20:th July 2020.

I am very happy that I got the chance to
thank the man for producing works as
Spraycan Art. A book that left an immense imprint
on me, and so many other kids in the 80´ies with over 250 000
sold (racked?) units.
It was tremendously inspiring to discuss various
graffiti-related topics with a man of such
insights and passion for art and culture

As a graffiti writer and chronicler:
I salute you Mr Prigoff!

SGP: To graffiti-aficionados, I would claim
you became a household name in conjunction
with the release of the book Spraycan Art.
By then, in 1987, you were 60 years of age.
I would like to know what you did before
this.
What was your childhood like and what was
your relation to art and expressions in the
public space before graffiti came along?

Jim: My life history was that of a middle-
class child growing up in suburban NY. There
was every expectation that I would go to
college, get a good job, and have a
successful business career. My mother took
me to Museums and in general I was a
visually oriented person. At age 40, I
became interested in tracking and
documenting murals and community art
particularly as it had political reference.
I began to see tags appearing and
photographed some. As the art form developed
and became more sophisticated, I
incorporated it into my mural search wanting
to give dignity and respect to this new
burgeoning form of art expression.

SGP: What are your earliest meetings with, or
memories of (style writing)graffiti and what
did you make of it?

Jim: I remember seeing BIO, BRIM, MED, T-KID
TAGS in the Bronx and then some of Keith
Haring’s characters in the early 80’s. A
Samo here and a Sane there. Going to
Freedom’s tunnel on the west side. Tracking
Lee, Vulcan, Daze, Crash, Blast, Phase 2,
Tracy and so many others.

SGP: How did you go about approaching it and
learning more about it?

Jim: In the early eighties I began to meet
some of the writers, particularly on the
west coast when I moved in 1981. The TMF
crew, TDK crew and TWS, writers that I am
still in touch with to this day. Also, many
of the writers in LA like Slick, Hex, Chaz,
Risk etc.

As the writing moved from tags to pieces, I
recognized the skill involved and became
interested in following its development as
well as to give respect and dignity to those
creating the art.

I watched the writers creating their pieces,
talked to them about the culture to
understand their motivation,
creativity, and how it was becoming such an
important part of their lives. I remember
inviting the TMF crew to my home in SF. to
do an in-depth interview with them.

SGP: When did you first cross paths with
Henry Chalfant and how did you come to work
on the book together?

Jim: Tony Silver came to see me when he was
working on Style Wars, hoping I would have
some ideas for fund raising to help finance
the film. He mentioned his film partner,
Henry Chalfant and suggested I should meet
him when I was next in NYC. When I decided
to do a book of how the art came above
ground from the NY City subway system, began
to appear on walls and handball courts and
then move across the country, I wrote and
invited Henry to join me. His reply was “My
brain is Graffitied out. But let’s do it”.

SGP: We recently spoke about the process of
selecting what works and cities that were
featured in the final product (Listen to the
snippet published in this post)
Could you speak a bit about the response and
critique the book received and any tangible
proof of its impact on subsequent
travels/interactions the coming years?
The first trip to Sweden for example.

Jim:The book received an instant positive
response world-wide. It was voted one of the
50 best books for layout and design in
Britain in 1987. There were many newspaper
reviews and received commendation in a NY.
Public Library list. Henry was already
recognized internationally and with the
publishing of Spraycan Art, I became very
visible and invited to speak in venues
around the world.

SGP: Did you at any point feel a
responsibility in regards to the amount of criminal
damage/defacement that the book inspired?
And, without rehashing the old "Art or
Crime" debate; how big a part of graffiti do
you think the illicit nature of it is/contra
the artistic aspect?
This could be expanded into a discussion of what
happens when graffiti is brought on to
canvas and the transition into the field of
fine art and museums, certainly.

Jim: My chosen role in the movement was that
of a photo documenter to preserve the images
which often disappeared rapidly, to present
the art form to as large an audience as was
possible and to be its advocate. Also, to
help understand its social context within a
capitalist society. There is no question I
played a contributing part in the larger
picture/puzzle. People are welcome to
ascribe whatever they want as to my
influence because almost all of the feedback
has been very positive. Kids I didn’t even
know have told me I saved their lives as
they left the gang culture and moved to
Graff. Many of their friends left behind
were R.I.P. Graffiti moving to Museums and
fine art is partially a result of writers
getting older, gaining attention, needing to
support families etc. But that is just one
of the many facets in an ever far reaching
development.

SGP: With the spreading of style writing now
having reached most corners of the world.
What are your impressions on how it has
evolved in respective geographical areas.
I.e I see tendencies of simply imitating
classic NY Subway Graffiti, with western
letters/words and the same old styles and
aesthetics in all parts of the world.
It has its charm I suppose but can
also feel shallow and bleak somehow.
Are there any scenes where you think an
exciting adaption and furthering of the
artform has taken place?

Jim: This question is complex and better
answered by the artists themselves. There
were so many ways that writers chose to
develop style. First, many just copied from
the books or had mentors who taught them
style. But as time went on, writer explored
new imagery and style often became regional.

SGP: Having dedicated such a large part of
your life to chronicling and collecting
graffiti. Why has this movement been so
important to you, and perhaps any guesses on
the attraction and meaning it has had to so
many? In short; what is so great about
graffiti?

Jim: Graffiti documentation has been part of
a much larger interest in tracking painted
murals, particularly as they related to
community issues, political attitudes and
their influence in public visual life. For
me it was a way to combine an interest in
photography with my political values and
then to share my point of view with a larger
audience. In addition, it was an adventure,
a treasure hunt, as well as a challenge and
an opportunity to learn about different
cultures as well as interacting with youth.

SGP: Our paths crossed recently at an
international conference on graffiti and
other expressions in the public space. What
started as kids scribbling has now not only
spawned a worldwide art movement (or is it
an extreme sport or something else?) but a
whole community of scholars, chroniclers and
researchers who analyze and try to
understand and explain graffiti.
I often times, as an amateur researcher get
lost in talking and thinking more about
graffiti than actually painting, forgetting
why I love it so much until I get to a wall
and apply aerosol paint on it.
What do you think are the pros and cons of
the theoretical, philosophical and academic
movement around this phenomenon?
As one of the debates at the conference were
about; Is it even possible and fruitful at
all trying to frame and explain graffiti
without ever having practised it?
...and on the other side of that coin. Are
the many ex-practitioners in the academic
word inclined to be biased when indulging in
and publishing research on it?
Does graffiti need to be confined and
understood by outsiders?

Jim: Over the many centuries, art took many
forms, shapes and context. Scholars studied
each period from ever conceivable point of
view. So why not Graffiti which is clearly
the most important art form developed in the
last 40 years? I presume most of the
scholarly work over the years was done by
people who never painted themselves. Surely,
interview the artists to get some clarity,
but the answers will be wide ranged based on
the individual, yet often have a similar
thread.

SGP:What are your hopes or expectations on
the future of graffiti? In a society with an
inclination leaning more towards a fully
draconian and surveilled society. Is
graffiti doomed to disappear or could it
rather a productive factor such as combating
graffiti has been historically? Graffiti on
trains saw a style renaissance of sorts when
the possible times to stand in a yard shrunk
remarkably. Giving birth to new styles.

Jim: I don’t really have “hopes or
expectations” The art form will continue to
develop in many different directions. It is
like a tree with branches emerging in many
directions. Graffiti in one form or another
has been a part of society since the
beginning of human life. Probably, it will
continue in some form in perpetuity.

Paz,

Jim

Photo taken from the book Spraycan Art.
Audio taken from the https://www.urbancreativity.org/ 2020 conference.

Julkalender 2020. Bonuslucka

30 december 2020 | 23 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka24.

23 december 2020 | 64 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka23.

22 december 2020 | 50 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka22.

21 december 2020 | 22 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka21.

20 december 2020 | 16 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 20.

19 december 2020 | 21 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 19.

18 december 2020 | 26 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 18.

18 december 2020 | 19 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 17.

16 december 2020 | 33 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 16.

16 december 2020 | 17 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 15.

14 december 2020 | 24 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 14.

13 december 2020 | 23 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka13.

12 december 2020 | 12 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka12.

12 december 2020 | 15 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 11.

11 december 2020 | 9 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 10.

10 december 2020 | 19 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 9.

9 december 2020 | 21 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 8.

7 december 2020 | 13 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 7.

7 december 2020 | 17 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 6.

6 december 2020 | 20 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 5.

5 december 2020 | 26 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 4.

4 december 2020 | 19 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 3.

3 december 2020 | 16 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka2.

2 december 2020 | 16 min

Julkalender 2020. Lucka 1.

1 december 2020 | 19 min

Episod 56. Filmen om Psykos med Johan Ribe (Minisode)

3 september 2020 | 25 min

Episod 55. Jonathan "Ollio" Josefsson

2 september 2020 | 146 min

Episod 54. Graffitins Dag 2020

28 juli 2020 | 93 min

Episod 53. In Memoriam: Lars-Ola Arhusius 1944-2020 (Minisode)

9 juli 2020 | 21 min

Episod 52. Graffiti som kulturarv. Del 1

26 maj 2020 | 92 min

Episod 51. Ape (FAME Crew)

16 maj 2020 | 176 min

Episod 50. Ance (DOA TP TPX)

27 april 2020 | 107 min

Episod 49. Festivalsäsongen 2020

25 april 2020 | 45 min

SGP tar tempen på fyra av landets stora graffiti/street art events inför sommaren 2020.
Detta år är givetvis speciellt med tanke på Corona epidemin. Med detta avsnitt hoppas vi att du som lyssnar kan orientera dig bättre gällande vart de olika evenemangen ligger i planeringen och hur de påverkas av krisen.

Medverkande:
ArtStreetHbg
#ArtStreetHbg grundar sig i, att tillsammans med de boende i stadsdelen Söder, ta avstamp i lokalhistorian och tillsammans forma dess framtid. En stadsdel har alltid sin historia som är viktig att lyfta och komma ihåg. Men den är också i ständig förändring beroende på vilka som bor där nu. Ett verktyg för att få till en intressant miljö och en identitet kopplat till de boende tror vi är via street art. Vi tror att via oväntade element, stora som små i stadsmiljön, lockar vi till nya möten och att man som boende på Söder upptäcker nya platser. Vi hoppas även att detta ska vara en byggsten i det pågående arbetet med att forma stadsdelen Söder till något som de boende vill.
Invånarna är viktiga för oss
Att ha en lokal förankring är också en viktig del i vår urvalsprocess av artister. För vi tror att det lokala tillsammans med vissa externa artister ger en mix som leder till stolthet. Och stolthet över var man bor leder till goda ambassadörer och att man månar mer om var man befinner sig. Är man stolt över sin stad och sitt kvarter så pratar man om det. Det finns inga bättre ambassadörer för vår stad än invånarna.
Ska inspirera till kreativitet
Med detta projekt tar vi ett modigt steg in i framtiden och vi testar nya sätt. Vi vill att denna lärandeprocess är något som vi gör tillsammans. Vi erbjuder invånare och de boende i områdena att testa en workshop för att få kunskap om de olika tekniker man kan använda för street art. Och ger möjlighet att få prata med konstnärerna på de respektive adresserna. Vi hoppas att detta inspirerar till skapande och kreativitet bland invånarna. Vår ambition är att skapa dynamiska och intressanta miljöer i en stadsdel som är under förändring.

https://artstreethbg.helsingborg.se/

ArtScape / No Limit Borås
No Limit är en street art festival i Borås där staden bjuder in konstnärer från hela världen att delta i förvandlingen av det offentliga rummet och skapa ett gigantiskt utomhusgalleri. Festivalen innehåller alla typer av gatukonst, från muralmålningar till skulpturer och installationer. No Limit såg dagens ljus första gången i september 2014. 2020 gör vi det igen för fjärde gången. Med nya väggar, installationer och konstformer runt om i staden utökar No Limit det utomhusgalleri som skapats i Borås under festivalerna 2014, 2015 och 2017.
Den 17-20 September är det dags för No Limit – Artscape edition som blir ett samarbetsprojekt mellan Borås Stad och Artscape. Båda har arrangerat storskaliga street art-festivaler sedan 2014 och gjort avtryck på den globala urbankonstscenen. I samarbetsorganisationen samlas unika kunskaper och erfarenheter, såväl kring det konstnärliga urvalet som med det mer praktiska genomförandet.
Med samma grund som tidigare festivaler vill vi erbjuda boråsare och besökare en extraordinär konstupplevelse, som är tillgänglig för alla dygnet runt, året om mitt i stadsrummet. Borås Stad och Artscape har liknande erfarenheter, men också olika infallsvinklar, styrkor och kompetenser vilket vi tror gör att vi kompletterar varandra på ett väldigt bra sätt. Tillsammans har vi en unik erfarenhet och möjlighet att utveckla No Limit: Artscape Edition och locka ännu fler att ta del av konsten och upplevelsen av att se verken växa fram,

https://www.artscape.se/
https://www.nolimitboras.com/?lang=sv

Gåsebäck GraffitiPark / Gåsebäcksfesten

https://helsingborg.se/resan/brandstationen-som-fick-ett-liv-till/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/G%C3%A5seb%C3%A4ck-Graff-Park/837793143277268
https://www.facebook.com/gasebackbrandstation/?rf=155064637877942

Spring Beast
https://www.springbeast.se/

Tenstajammet kunde ej närvara i ljudformat denna gång men låter hälsa nedanstående:
Tjena alla svenska graffare! Sommaren och datumet årets Tensta jam skulle ha ägt rum på närmar sig med stormsteg. Som ni säkert förstår har vi med tanke på de rådande omständigheterna blivit tvungna att lägga jammet på is för tillfället men förhoppningen är att det ska bli ett jam när situationen lättar och vi får klartecken från myndigheter. Tills dess får ni ha det så fett och hålla er friska, så ses vi förhoppningsvis snart! Håll utkik på vår instagram och facebook @tenstafamet för uppdates! Bästa hälsningar, Tensta Jam Crewet

Episod 48. Coronaknas. Del 4

20 april 2020 | 61 min

Episod 47. (IN ENGLISH) New Dictators - Archaelogy of Hellsinki Graffiti

13 april 2020 | 39 min

Episod 46. Coronaknas. Del 3

11 april 2020 | 63 min

Episod 45. Coronaknas. Del 2

8 april 2020 | 64 min

Episod 44. Coronaknas. Del 1

7 april 2020 | 65 min

Episod 43. Bonus (OBS)

27 mars 2020 | 71 min

Episod 42. Graffiti Brilliant

9 mars 2020 | 88 min

Episod 41. Toys. Del 1

26 februari 2020 | 87 min

Episod 40. Code26 featuring Punta

11 februari 2020 | 117 min

Episod 39. Malcolm Jacobson

29 januari 2020 | 133 min

Episod 38. Cheat

9 december 2019 | 111 min

Episod 37. En Gång Var Vi Kungar

29 november 2019 | 49 min

Episod 36. Max Gustafson, Skize (CAS) feat. Peter Bengtsen.

22 november 2019 | 75 min

Episod 35. Abab & Shen. Feat. Tobias Barenthin Lindblad

12 november 2019 | 101 min

Episod 34. Live från Stockholm - panelsamtal.

7 november 2019 | 38 min

Episod 33. Graffitiböcker (Splitisode med Graffcast)

27 september 2019 | 77 min

Episod 32. Star (AOD)

9 september 2019 | 75 min

Episod 31. Detch (B2C) feat. Per Andersson

30 augusti 2019 | 103 min

Episod 30. Spad (HP TUM)

21 augusti 2019 | 67 min

Specialinsatt Minisode. #riphighway

13 augusti 2019 | 7 min

Episod 29. 1-årsjubileum. Bits & Doodads

9 augusti 2019 | 100 min

Episod 28. Tags and Throws - Panelsamtal

4 augusti 2019 | 48 min

Episod 27. (IN ENGLISH) Banksy and street art. Panel discussion with Peter Bengtsen, Moa Sundberg and Kicki Eldh (Minisode)

28 juli 2019 | 36 min

Episod 26. Style Wars med Graffiti Brilliant och Tobias Barenthin Lindblad (Minisode)

21 juli 2019 | 31 min

Episod 25. Graffiti Tombola med DCS Crew och Termit

8 juli 2019 | 80 min

Episod 24. Svensk Old School Graffiti med Core och Dept (Minisode)

30 juni 2019 | 47 min

Episod 23. ArtStreet Hbg (Minisode)

24 juni 2019 | 40 min

Episod 22. Mander (NSV MPF) feat. Track

17 juni 2019 | 122 min

Episod 21. Tenstafamet (Minisode)

30 maj 2019 | 39 min

Episod 20. Fuksh (STUDS Crew)

24 april 2019 | 122 min

Episod 19. Fonzi & Doc B (TOY CO) feat. Moral

29 mars 2019 | 101 min

Episod 18. Spring Beast (Minisode)

21 mars 2019 | 23 min

Episod 17. Sven-Arne "Höken" Hökenström

8 mars 2019 | 90 min

Episod 16. Ribe (NG AOD)

21 januari 2019 | 143 min

Episod 15. Gorilla (KCN)

27 december 2018 | 71 min

Episod 14. Apher (HBA)

14 december 2018 | 106 min

Episod 13. Wong (JSA)

2 december 2018 | 60 min

Episod 12. Moral

23 november 2018 | 87 min

Episod 11. Brain (NSL)

9 november 2018 | 115 min

Episod 10. Circle (AIO)

27 oktober 2018 | 89 min

Episod 9. RUSKIG ÅNGEST

21 oktober 2018 | 103 min

Episod 8. Core (NSA FFÖ)

15 oktober 2018 | 84 min

Episod 6. News (VIM)

17 september 2018 | 88 min

Episod 5. Terme

8 september 2018 | 80 min

Episod 4. Zack (DOA, TCP)

31 augusti 2018 | 67 min

Episod 3. Polar (CNR, KCN)

23 augusti 2018 | 112 min

Episod 2. Cleye (BK)

16 augusti 2018 | 73 min

Episod 1. Jeks (CAS, SUK, THY)

10 augusti 2018 | 100 min

Prequel: Presentation

9 augusti 2018 | 6 min

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