Shepard Fairey, Creator of Iconic Obama Image, Speaks About His Art

Source: Shepard Fairey, Creator of Iconic Obama Image 2009, Speaks About His Art, viewed 19 July, 2011,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awKJQ-HfEHc


This video originates from USA Network.

About: USA Network's Character Approved Awards honor the real characters who are changing the face of American Culture. Character Approved honorees are innovators in their field who influence our opinions, our style, and our view of the world. They surprise us and inspire us with fresh ideas. They are celebrated by their peers and they have an authentic style that's all their own.

USA Network, Character Approved, viewed 2011,
http://www.usanetwork.com/characterapproved/about.html

I find it interesting because it is a great overall account of the Shepard Fairey story and the beginnings of his OBEY empire. Its interesting to watch and listen to a character like Fairey because he is now a really big personality in America after the iconic Obama image. He is one of the artists that has his roots in the streets but has risen to the level of gallery artist and businessman, company owner and personality. He still makes art in a similar way to his practice 20 years ago but his success means he is reaching a wider audience and his ork has become desireable rather than an eyesore on the urban landscape.

The video is directed at people who are interested in art but not neccessarily street art. The music is upbeat and the style of presentation, overall is very clean. I don' think this represents my project at all. I think it has taken someone out of the element of artmaking and put them in an environment that will get the best repose from the viewers of the USA Network's "Character Approved." Artists that inspire people. It needs to look clean and inspiring rather than dirty and from the streets.

My ideos will not be this polished. I have artists in the studio who I think would have been considered street artists in the past but are now exhibiting in galleries. I think the essence of what they do and what they are still true to i this grungy subversive approach to artmaking. I want to capture that. Rather than have them sitting in a polished environment I want them to be in their natural element. In the studio amongst the paint and scrawlings on the wall.
While the content of this video is relevent the presentation is not what I am looking for.