Street art and graffiti get museum exhibition in LA

(photo by Martha Cooper)

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles is presenting Art in the Streets, a major exhibition that follows the history of graffiti and street art, from April 17 to August 8, featuring the work of 50 seminal artists from around the world, including Fab 5 Freddy (New York), Shepard Fairey (Los Angeles), Os Gerneos (Sao Paulo) and JR (Paris).

The show offers a record of this distinctive public art, and of the influential artists and styles that have developed over the last half-century, from tagging to elaborate designs on subway trains.

Other New York graffiti artists in the exhibition include Futura, Swoon and the Fun Gallery's renowned artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who connected with the street art community.

Los Angeles street artists will also be emphasized, such as Mister Cartoon, RETNA, SABER, RISK, and Craig R. Stecyk III, as well as cholo graffiti and Dogtown skateboard culture. The show will open with a skate ramp designed by pro-skater Lance Mountain and artist George McFetridge.

Other highlights include an urban street with overturned trucks re-created by Todd James, Marry McGee and Steve Powers, work by the legendary RAMMELLZEE, and items from the Museum of the City of New York collection.

A section about the film Wild Style will focus on global graffiti art and hip-hop culture. Filmmakers including Spike Jonze and photographers such as Martha Cooper who have documented street art will be emphasized within the timeline to illustrate the evolution of this art movement.

" Art in the Streets will be the first exhibition to position the work of the most influential artists to emerge from street culture in the context of contemporary art history," MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch stated in a press release.

The exhibition is a partnership with the Brooklyn Museum, where the show will travel, March 30-July 8, 2012.
In conjunction with the MOCA's exhibit, boutique galleries such as Street Art Pop Up! are opening around LA.

http://www.streetartpopup.com

http://www.MOCA.org