After recently completing a Rothko knock-off (installed in a mid-80s hotel room) for a film my roommate and resident Found DJ, the CRZA, wrote/directed and also gathering some photographic detritis near my studio for another commission, I wanted to make sure you’ve all seen this short about graffiti removal.

WATCH ‘THE SUBCONSCIOUS ART OF GRAFFITI REMOVAL’

Miranda July (Me, You & Everyone We Know, Learning to Love You More) narrates this short by Matt McCormick. The gut reaction is ‘haha, that’s not the same as Rothko,’ but it’s only because they are not intentionally doing so. In fact, people attempting to paint over graffiti (I think it’s a misnomer to call it ‘removal’ because it’s not about effacing tags but, in fact, about covering them up) are trying to match colors of the original wall (pre-tag), but, even if the paint applied is the same, because of age & wear, there will be a noticeacable shape unless the whole wall is painted. This is all obvious, of course.

Repainting entire walls is typically not cost effective for businesses/households that are regularly bombed.

The great part is that I think this video is valid and debunks theory over final product, but also, achieving this conclusion without pretension. I think tangible works, products, shapes, accidental art and their resonances in someone’s head trump anyone’s intentions. Especially (I hate to use this qualifier) in these days when images are constantly stolen, posted, reappropriated without any regard for the source, the final product (that weird photo someone posted on your site, that bizarre but intriguing stencil that grabs your attention because it’s somewhat familiar but doesn’t satisfy you with an obvious punchline or reference) and its association with the sender are the visceral elements. The intentions are only the bonus features if the work itself intrigues you for any reason.

Sorry to care so much about these things. Just wanted to make sure you saw this. Respond to the film.