SUPPORTING ARTISTS WHO INSPIRE SOCIAL CHANGE

This print commemorates the film Style Wars which was done in 1983. The film honored and documented the entire Hip Hop culture and it included a large slice of urban graffiti art which was presented in a very positive light, much to the distress of the political establishment.  Young artists such as MC’s, DJ’s and B-Boys, Case/Kase 2, Skeme, Kondi and Shy 147 were highlighted and their music/art was taken seriously.  At the same time, the then mayor of New York, Ed Koch was adamantly against what he saw as public  vandalism sprayed on public buildings, buses and subway cars. This work shows all of the players in this arena and it portrays both sides of the controversy in minute detail. The Film recounts the early history of NYC subway outlaws!  It was truly a hit as can be seen from the fact that it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for a Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. The actual artwork was executed by Skeme, who was also a major character in the film, and he signed each of the 100 prints in the run along with Henry Chalfant, the producer.   This is an iconic work of which there are only 100 in existence.   

 

"Anybody who wants to understand what hip hop is all about needs to see a movie called Style Wars." -KRS-One  - When director Tony Silver and co-producer Henry Chalfant delivered the broadcast version of their prize-winning film to PBS in 1983, the world received its first full immersion in the phenomenon that had taken over New York City.  The urban landscape was physically transformed by graffiti artists who invented a new visual language to express both their individuality, and the voice of their community.  In STYLE WARS, New York's ramshackle subway system is their public playground, battleground, and spectacular artistic canvas.  As MC's, DJ's and B-boys rock the city with new sounds and new moves, we see street corner breakdance battles turn into performance art. 

 

“When director Tony Silver & co-producer Henry Chalfant delivered the broadcast version of their prize-winning film to PBS in 1983, the world received its first full immersion in the phenomenon that had taken over New York City. The urban landscape was physically transformed by graffiti artists who invented a new visual language to express both their individuality, and the voice of their community”. From Amazon.com(1)

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This commemorative print is located  in New York City and it can be viewed in person, by appointment. Please don’t hesitate to send us an email to: contact@urbanartrevolution.com

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https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1242898

http://www.stylewars.com/site/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReyiYUPsEs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_Wars

https://youtu.be/sR9qdaMKl6c

(1)https://www.amazon.com/Style-Wars-Henry-Chalfant/dp/B07FFG517L

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