Sumoe Rules!! (Houston Graffiti)

[MarcoFromHouston]

*****DISCLAIMER*******
MarcoFromHouston is NOT a graffiti artist and does not promote illegal activities. Please refrain from turning this thread into a "Graffiti: Art or Menace" Discussion.
/*****DISCLAIMER*******

I thought for sure that I posted this earlier. Anyway, this is/was the talk of the graffiti scene here in Houston this past month.

Houston Graffiti artist SUMOE hit up this train bridge that is located on I-10 between the 610 Loop & Washington/Westcott.

Several barriers are strategically placed around the bridge to KEEP PEOPLE OFF. But this guy SOMEHOW managed not only to get on the train bridge, but also ended up dropping one of the greatest pieces of graffiti to ever be displayed in Houston.

Well, it has already been (poorly) buffed. But not before hundreds of thousands of people saw the piece. They actually had to shut traffic on I-10 down to only 1 lane on a Saturday morning/afternoon to buff this stuff.

Quite frankly....... Its Legendary!

Just want to know if you saw this and what were your reactions/thoughts.

[Z_Malloc]

I saw that. He even tagged it the day after the temp bridge in front of it had been demo'ed. It was impressive from a labor point of view, but I wondered how long he had to stand up there and spray it. I was surprised he got the whole thing done uninterrpted.

As far as access, I figured he just walked out the remaining portion of the temp bridge to the left and hopped onto the bridge thus defeating the countermeasures.

[MarcoFromHouston]

it does look like he got spooked and didn't get to finish the exclamation marks.......

[prncfarquad]

It is unbelievable where these guys can get to. They kinda remind me of the mouse that can squeeze through a 1/4 in. hole in the wall when they are 2 in. around...almost unstopable

[kwhite]

Originally Posted by MarcoFromHouston

*****DISCLAIMER*******
MarcoFromHouston is NOT a graffiti artist and does not promote illegal activities. Please refrain from turning this thread into a "Graffiti: Art or Menace" Discussion.
/*****DISCLAIMER*******

Nice shot. Sorry to hear that you are getting heat for documenting street art. As far as I can tell it's just one of the more vibrant parts of the urban environment.

[MarcoFromHouston]

well, i put up the disclaimer "just in case". Mostly because of the size of the "damage" in this particular instance.

Everyone here on TPF & on Flickr seems to enjoy my graffiti pics & is very supportive of this "art".

[Hanky]

You know it goe's back to the cave man time so there is not chance it will ever go away.
I wish I had some kind of talent.
Thanks for showing.

[srwatters]

As a daring stunt, it's an amazing feat, but as art I fail to see the significance in the words, meaning, or message. I am not anti-graffiti, but this work seems to pale in comparison to other works you have posted. I guess I'm just an old geezer that doesn't see the impact of the 'tag'... YMMV

[MarcoFromHouston]

yep. calling this "art" is a stretch.

the significance of this throw-up is elevated by the "daring stunt" and "its amazing feat". Its good work by itself, but given the location, degree of difficulty, and exposure/visability - it becomes great.

The tag is SWS/DTS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti_terminology

tag (scribble)
A stylized signature, normally done in one color. The simplest and most prevalent type of graffiti, a tag is often done in a color that contrasts sharply with its background. Tag can also be used as a verb meaning "to sign". Writers often tag on or beside their pieces, following the practice of traditional artists who sign their artwork.

"Tagging" is often the example given when opponents of graffiti refer to vandalism, as they use it to label all acts of graffiti writing (it is by far the most common form of graffiti).

throw-up
A throw-up or "throwie" (also known as a fill-in) sits between a tag and a piece in terms of complexity and time investment. It generally consists of a one-color outline and one layer of fill-color. Easy-to-paint bubble shapes often form the letters. A throw-up is designed for quick execution, to avoid attracting attention to the writer.

blockbuster or roller
A large piece done simply to cover a large area solidly with two contrasting colours, sometimes with the whole purpose of blocking or covering other "writers" on the same wall.

piece (short form of masterpiece)
A large and labor-intensive graffiti painting. Pieces often incorporate 3-D effects, arrows, and many colors and color-transitions, as well as various other effects. Considered the full and most beautiful work of graffiti. A piece requires more time to paint than a throw-up.