Ciao Roma!

Tonight is my last night in Rome. I am a little sad to leave but I will be in Europe until early July so I can't really complain. Since my agriturismo I have done a lot of things. I went to some more churches, historical sites, bars, and restaurants... but I am just going to recap the highlights.

Early in the week, a friend from USC visited me. I took him to some of the big important sites that everyone has to visit, but we also enjoyed a good dinner and a fun night out.

Later in the week, while walking around randomly, I found the street with the hotel I stayed at 9 years ago! I was so excited. Also, oddly enough, one of the girls I was with had stayed there 5 years ago. So we stopped and reflected and took a cute photo.


Another day, I went with a few friends to have an aperitivo above the Spanish Steps. An aperitivo is like a pre-dinner drink with snacks intended to “open the palate" and give you a chance to socialize. It was nice and relaxing, especially with the view of the Spanish Steps! Ahhhh I love you Italy and your lovely food related traditions.


Too much happened this week, and I can not even begin to recap it. Given that this was my last week in Rome, I did everything and lost a lot of sleep. It was an incredible week. Family and friends, I will be home soon enough and then we can talk about all the fine details of my Roman holiday.

When in the US, I am a computer addict. My addiction manifests itself in three ways - through technology (the form and function), graphic design, and the internet. With this internet addiction I am usually up to date on most current events ranging from pop culture to politics. However, being in Europe I am usually a day or two behind. It kind of pains me but at least I still manage to get my news. Honestly, I have better priorities here. I have learned a lot of about restraint leaving my iPhone at home... but I still have my laptop, my child.

So here are my recent but probably not current internet discoveries. I love movies and I am excited for many upcoming films, but these promotional photos sold me. Get ready for Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland! These photos are striking, but what also got me is the similar composition. Many current films are showcasing the actors in simple but beautiful posters. I like the cleanliness of many of them, but then some do fail like the poster for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Well, it may also help that these two movies have some cred and the other... well, not so much. Did I just write cred?



Another great thing I found on the internet is this new Jib Jab Obama video. It follows along the theme of Jon Stewart's "Hope-and-Change-O-Meter," where he placed Obama between Gandalf and Wizard FDR. This video has Obama saving the day with super powers. He can do more than kill flies...



One more thing, family, if you feel inclined to buy me a welcome home gift. This would do the trick. I love the Onion store! (This is not necessary, because clearly I am living a gift).


Ciao! Soon I am off to Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, and Stockholm!

far from an instant replay

So far off that this is pretty much a week recap. I have failed miserably at updating my blog. Rome is just too fun.

Ok, so last weekend...

I stated earlier that I had plans to go to Pompeii, but unfortunately (not really actually) things changed. Here is the story - So, one of my best personality traits is actually my biggest flaw. I love to do everything, making the most of life. As a result I am a very accomplished person, but then sometimes I am too busy. See the pros and cons? Well, being in Rome I want to "carpe diem" of course... Last summer I was diagnosed with celiac, a serious gluten allergy, and since then I don't eat wheat flour products. This is an unfortunate allergy to have in Rome, but I am still eating loads of wonderful food - caprese, prosciutto and melon, gelato, and more!

However, I know how great the pasta is here and I have been wondering for most of the trip - can I eat wheat for a little bit and still have an incredible time? At the start of my developing allergy, the pain and discomfort was not that terrible. I figured, I haven't had wheat in about a year so maybe a little wheat won't be that bad. So, last week I ate wheat. And guess what, I was horribly wrong. I felt sick the night after and then the morning I was suppose to leave for Pompeii I felt absolutely miserable. I will spare the details.

I'm an idiot. That morning I texted my friends and slept off the pain. I woke up a little before noon feeling better, but I was still depressed I missed the trip even though I have been to Pompeii and I remember it pretty vividly. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to be active and of course, carpe diem!!

So I went to the Vatican again, yes for a third time this trip. There is just too much to see there!

After the Vatican I got back on the metro and noticed that one of the stops went to Appia Antica, the ancient Appian Way! I decided to stay on and get off at the stop, which is way off my map. I had no idea where to go so I stopped in a bar and asked a waiter where to go. He drew me a small map and it appeared that the Appian Way was just around the corner. Wrong again. I ended up hiking, forever! However, it was a nice gorgeous walk. See below.


After about an hour I finally reached the Appian Way, and one of the houses had this tile on the wall (below). So, I made it to Pompeii after all! For those of you that don't know, that cave canem mosaic is a very famous image from Pompeii. On the Appian Way there were many ruins and churches. I visited most of them. Including one with the first catacombs ever. The catacombs of San Sebatian is where the name catacombs originated from. It was very cool to see, but it was also incredibly creepy with tons of small caves. I had to bend down in many of them. A church was built over these catacombs, and in the church is the last statue made by Bernini. It was discovered in the monastery there in 2001. Or something like that. I honestly don't know how you can have a statue that beautiful and be satisfied without knowing the artist and having it tucked away. Plus, by looking at the details I think it is clearly Bernini, but whatever. Thanks tour guide!


After the Appian way I went to several other places around Rome. Like - Circo Massimo, La Bocca della Verità, Museo Castel Sant'Angelo, San Nicola in Carcere, and La Scala Sancta.

Scala Sancta, aka the Holy Stairs, are apparently the steps "that led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus Christ stood on during his Passion on his way to trial." Pilgrims walk up the steps on theirs knees and pray at each step. 9 years ago I visited these steps with my dad and for some reason I got very eager and wanted to do this. I kneeled on the first step and immediately lost my religious fervor. It hurt! They are wooden stairs. I prayed on the first step and left. I promised my dad I would do the second step on this trip. So, I did. And it still hurt. Not worth the pain. Sorry Jesus.


San Nicola in Carcere was just a random church that I decided to walk into. It looked interesting and it had some ruins around it. When I entered the church, a woman was singing Ave Maria with the organ. It was amazing. I just sat and listened to the music for about 15 minutes. I love days where you just wander around and discover new things.

I finished my Saturday by walking home. It ended up being a great day. Even better than the trip to Pompeii, according to my friends.

Sunday, I met up with some friends and decided to have a touristy day. We started by going to the very top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. It was an awesome view even though the day was a little cloudy.


After, we took a bus tour of Rome. We sat on the top of a double decker bus and drank Chianti. It was very fun. We got off the bus in Piazza Navona and got something to eat. While there we were intrigued by the henna tattoo artist. Somehow we decided that it would be worthwhile to get a temporary tattoo in Rome. Two of my friends got tattoos with stars and I decided to get a tattoo related to Rome. So, I picked SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus. Yeah, kinda nerdy. My friends were confused because they didn't know the meaning (keep in mind we are studying Italian not history), but every local Roman I talk to either enjoys the tattoo or laughs at me.


Monday after class I went to the Vatican for the 4th time, but this time to climb the Vatican. It was a total of 1,102 steps. And some corridors were tight and angled. It was quite the adventure but totally worth it. I don't exercise and I am normally very lazy, but I would climb those steps any time for the view of the dome or the entire city.


Half way up you have a beautiful view of inside the dome. Up there you can tell that the "frescoes" are actually mosaics. They were replaced years ago in order to maintain the detail. Also, while we were in the dome, a small service was going on so we enjoyed some beautiful music while looking at the fine details of that amazing Basilica. The interior was incredible, but once we made it outside on the top, the view was spectacular. Hello Roma!


A few posts back I noted that I walk to school every day from the Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps. In between those two sites is All Saints Church of Rome. I go to All Saints Church in Pasadena so it always makes me happy to see something familiar. Last week I noticed that the church holds Opera nights twice a week with the singers of the Filamonica d'Opera di Roma. I got really excited about this discovery, so I went Tuesday night. This was the incredible program:

Haendel - "Lascia ch'io pianga"
Puccini - "Ch'ella mi creda"
Mozart - "Voi che sapete"
Mozart - "Madamina il catalogo e' questo"
Puccini - "Quando me'n vo'"
Rossini - "Una voce poco fa"
Verdi - "La donna e' mobile"
Rossini - "La calunnia e' un venticello"
Hoffenback - "Barcarola"
Verdi - "Va, pensiero"
Bizet - "Seguidilla"
Puccini - "Si', mi chiamano Mimi'"
Verdi - "Eri tu"
Donizetti - "O mio fernando"
Puccini - "Nessun dorma"
Bizet - "Toreador"
Gounod - "Ah, je veux vivre"
Verdi - "Brindisi"

Below is a video of the "Nessun dorma" performance. It is my favorite song out of the selection. Being a graphic designer I think heavily about composition. I do the same with photography. And with those mediums you aren't usually limited by orrientation. I filmed the video vertically to get more of the beautiful background, but clearly a vertical orrientation does not work for a video format. So, unfortunatly you have to tilt your head to watch the video. The singer was a little tired from his previous songs and made a few mistakes, but overall it was a great performance of "Nessun dorma."

Yesterday, we went to an art show put on by the students of the Rhode Island School of Design. They have an independent study program in Rome that lasts 5 months. It was great to see their work and eat free food.

On top of those things, I am still speaking lots of Italian, visiting fun bars and restaurants, and getting to know more of the people on the trip. I can't believe it is almost over!

some great déjà vu

I am still revisiting all the big tourist attractions that I have seen before. Some people find the spent time and money a waste, but my previous trip to Rome was 9 years ago! I am sorry if I can't remember everything, but also I find that I appreciate everything more given my art and history education and my age. Yesterday I stood across from The School of Athens for about 20 minutes and I also strained my neck admiring the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Even considering these déjà vu experiences, I would still revisit the David (when in Florence), the Sistine Chapel, the Forum... Each time it is a new experience and it is always fantastic. It is like rewatching a great movie; clearly a trip to Rome is more expensive but also more precious.

Monday I saw Angels and Demons again... the movie is ok, the book is better, BUT the movie is better when you see it in the Piazza del Popolo. For those of you that have not seen the movie, that spot is kind of important. (It's the first altar of science!!)

Tuesday was a national Italian holiday, so we didn't have class. Instead I planned a trip to the catacombs of San Callisto. Apparently 5 Roman catacombs are open to the public and I happened to pick the same one that I visited with my father 9 years ago. That place is so cool! Just go. After the catacombs we stopped by the Basilica of St. John Lateran.



And yesterday, I went with my class to the Vatican Museum. Drool.

So, this week has been great. However, I have a test tomorrow. That always brings down the fun. I am convinced that studying while in Rome is a sin. I should be out exploring, but I am doing that tomorrow, after my cooking class.

Ciao!

Barça, Barça, Barça!

That is the response I got as I walked down the street in my Barcelona jersey yesterday. It is part of the Cant del Barca. Well, clearly I only got that response from Barca fans, I won't even mention the screams I got from Manchester United fans. I happen to live near the Man. United meeting spot. Not so good. 

When I planned my trip to Rome I only considered two things: my desire to visit Rome again/study abroad and my desire to really learn Italian. I didn't even consider such crazy events like the Champions League final! I met some guys from Canada and Virginia that flew to Rome just for the final, and they didn't even have tickets!!! Yeah, I lucked out. 

When I went to class on Friday, I saw this on the Spanish steps!

My class was interrupted by random cheers in the streets. Despite my inability to focus and learn, it was fantastic. I have an exam tomorrow so I am not going to write much, but things are still incredible. I have explored more of the city and have met more locals. 

I watched the game yesterday in Campo dei Fiori with a bunch of Barcelona fans. Unfortunately, there was no viewing at the Coliseum. Roman authorities really cracked down on security... most bars were shut down and all locations were prevented from selling liquor 2 hours before the game. I was afraid of being stabbed so the security was good, in fact it kept things quite tame so it was almost disappointing. But it wasn't!!! The game was great. Everyone was in good spirits. And after we walked to the Spanish steps to continue the celebration. It was an incredible night. 

Tomorrow I have an exam in the morning and wine tasting in the evening. Saturday and Sunday I will be in the Florence area. 

Ciao! 

carpe diem

Before coming to Rome, I planned to write daily blog posts recapping my trip for friends and family because it is interesting but also because I left my iPhone at home to avoid ridiculous fees. But during the last two days, I have done so much that what little free time I have is used for sleeping and homework. Yes, it is unfortunate I have homework but that is the reason I went on this trip - to learn Italian.

Here is what I did during my first weekend in Roma!

Went to the Coliseum. 

Had a wonderful lunch overlooking the Coliseum and the forum.

Visited some events for the UEFA Champions League. 

Went to the Forum. 

Went to the center of Rome. 

Went to the Pantheon. 

Ate a sunset dinner with four courses at the Pantheon while listening to live opera.

Went to the Vatican.

Listened to music and the Pope at the Vatican.

Walked through the Borghese gardens.

Had coffee near the lake in the gardens.

Visited the Borghese gallery.

Saw my favorite statue of all time, Bernini's Daphne and Apollo.

Weekend complete!

finalmente, buon giorno Roma!

I finally made it to Rome. On my way to Rome I experienced the worst flight of my life (I was delayed for a total of 25 hours, I sat next to a  crying baby for my longest flight, and my connecting flight lost my luggage - actually no, they put one of my bags on a different flight arriving in another terminal so I confused Italian security when I tried to get through without a boarding pass and with a large bag...) but despite those problems, the little time I have spent here has already made up for it and then some. 

For this trip, I signed up for an apartment and that is all I knew about my residence. I told the taxi driver my address and from there on it was a mystery. When I arrived at my residence, I saw this...

So beautiful! I buzzed the name that matched my assignment and this student came down to help me carry my luggage up the 6 flights of stairs (I will be getting lots of exercise on this trip!). She gave me a tour of the apartment and I was thrilled. My living arrangement is perfetto! I live with a mom, her daughter, and this young teacher. I signed up for an apartment, but technically it is a home stay but with less restrictions. I have my own room, my own bathroom, and I am allowed to eat anything in the kitchen. Feels like home already.

Here is the living room.

Here is my bedroom.

And here is the view from outside my bedroom. Yes, a Hitchcock poster! They knew I was coming. 

It is surreal walking around Rome knowing I will be here for 5 weeks learning Italian. I love history, so seeing the incredible sites of Rome every day is fantastic. One girl in my class got lost yesterday near the Pantheon. My response was, "Oh so sad, the Pantheon..." incredible! When in Rome! 

Here is a photographic tour of my path to class every day.

I take a bus from my apartment to the Piazza del Popolo. 

Then I walk down a beautiful street to the Piazza di Spagnolo. 

Then one block past the Spanish steps is my school!!!

After the first day of class we visited the Trevi fountain and ate gelato. Last night we went to the Campo dei Fiori for dinner and experienced the Italian night life. Strangely enough though, I didn't talk to many Italians... I found a group of Irish people from Belfast! 

So, I love Rome. I could stay here forever. And yes, I am learning a lot of Italian. My friend forgot his address last night and he is in Italian 1, so translating directions for our poor taxi driver was certainly a fun experience for me.

Ciao! Off to the Coliseum. 

ciao times due

I love traveling, but I hate planes. I have long legs and knee problems, so cramming into seats made comfortable for those averaging 5 feet or those skilled in contorting is not an enjoyable experience for me, no matter the destination or the mediocre quality of the in flight movie. However, right now, I wish my legs were cramping and I wish I was being fed rehydrated astronaut food. Instead I am in the airport waiting for the end of my 20 hour flight delay. What a great start of a soon to be wonderful trip. However, if I was in the mood to be a glass half full kind of person, my response would be - I am so glad they took 20 hours to fix the plane instead of sending us into the air in an unstable steel can.

So here begins my study abroad program in Rome, two goodbyes later.

Despite the road bump, I am thrilled to be returning to Rome 9 years after I awkwardly threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. (Leah knows how awkward). I am enrolled in a 5 week Italian program in Rome, but I am staying in Europe for an extra week in order to visit some friends in other countries.

Until next time, hopefully I will be in Rome by then.

--

Things of interest>

The American Stonehenge! I never wanted to visit the bible belt, but I will for this mysterious New World Order stone thing. I may be a rational university student, but I am fascinated by the paranormal and the mysterious. I did a physics project in high school on the Bermuda Triangle, I own the complete X-Files box set, I have taken a class about espionage and intelligence... so, when I picked up this Wired issue about the unexplainable I was thrilled. Road trip anyone? PS this current issue of Wired is guest edited by J. J. Abrams. Another shout out to Star Trek? Yes!!

What's better than Storm Trooper breakfast cereal? Anything. (Actually this is amazing, I just don't want to eat it).

Trek me out

Wow, Star Trek was incredible!! I would provide a detailed review, but right now finals are taking over. Just go see it.


Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

I'm a nerd

Some of my recent discoveries that are quite nerdy>

I love the comics on Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal. They are always pretty clever, but they are usually improved if you read the caption below. Apparently one of the benefits of math is solving irrational proofs that can boost your self esteem. Wait that's wrong... :)


Another hit at Twitter! Awesome. Thank you Middlebrow. Bring the beast down! However, the Middlebrow comics have a Twitter account... hmmm. I get why it is appealing, really I do, but so many other networking sites have more depth. If you are going to keep in touch with friends through a virtual environment at least allow for more points of connection or conversation, otherwise our society is doomed. Most people are already losing their social skills. I fear a future Wall-E world where we all communicate via computer and nothing else. Ok, resisting a rant... ahhhhhh it's difficult. One more thing - I want Twitter to start charging for accounts. Then everyone would quit the site. Well, I would hope.


So, I just discovered Ian Pool. He is a great photographer that captures moments that seem ordinary but with a closer look they either present an interesting narrative on society or something completely ridiculous and comical. I love all the photos, but I particularly love the series of superheroes (and villains) doing everyday activities. Like Doc Oct, from Spider-man, on the phone in his girly man room; the incredible Hulk walking a tiny little dog; or the one below with Vader. Genius! I guess superheroes don't have aliases.


Speaking of Vader, how did I miss this on Gizmodo?! The Vader Project gave 100 notable artists a scale Vader helmet to decorate. Their tag line is - "Pop culture meets evil dad." Where can I get one?!!!! This is like a mass produced DIY vinyl toy event.


I am a techno geek, and I am particularly infatuated with Macs. When I found this tutorial it made me so happy! Given my finals, I haven't looked into the specs of the process, but just the idea of making the Apple logo on a laptop into an LCD screen is awesome! And so purrrttyyyy.


Ok so before I show any more of my nerdy discoveries let me clear up some stereotypes. Nerds are not just geeks with glasses that play video games and have no sex life. Nerds are people who are intelligent and are usually focused on a particular hobby. Don't get me wrong, it can be the stereotypical video game hobby, but there are also technology nerds, design nerds, movies nerds, etc. In my case I am a little of all of those. That is one reason why I was even more amused by the Vader Project.

Given my design nerd side, I am entertained by average things that are improved by some sort of altering design element. Like the combs below that are shaped like knives. How cool is that?! A knife comb, hahahaha!

Here is another example of being a design nerd - the graphic design heroes t-shirt collection. If you don't know who Paul Rand or Milton Glaser is, then you are definitely not a design nerd, or even remotely clued into design history.


Considering all the crazy designed things out there, this has to be the craziest - designer axes. Almost everything I own is somewhat designed - I have a Lego shaped external hard drive, I have pillow shaped like a log... even my dish scrubber is designed (it looks like a porcupine!). But why would anyone ever need a designer axe? The only people that use axes are foresty-woodsy people, farmers, firefighters, murderers... who else? I don't know, but I am pretty sure people who need axes don't really care if the handle is pink or green. I would categorize this as a failed design job.


I think I should go study. Bye.

the incoherent tales of ODJ

ODJ stands for Old Deaf Jimmy. Jimmy is not a friend, in fact I have never met him. I just hear stories about him... amazing stories.



So Jimmy works with my friend Andrew. Here is Andrew's description of the man,

"ODJ is a 75 year old Chinese immigrant who has been working as a translator with the same company for 35 years. He isn't particularly overweight, but he does have heart problems. I met him just after he had quadruple bypass surgery. He is the nicest guy in the world with good intentions, but he is literally IMPOSSIBLE to understand sometimes."

I am not sure why his heart problems are relevant because our focus is on Jimmy's inability to understand or be understood in conversation. Hopefully he only translates documents.

So when ODJ is lost in translation, Andrew recaps the funny conversation, or really lack of conversation due to confusion. The stories I hear are fantastic, and because of that I convinced Andrew to write a blog about our friend ODJ. Andrew created the blog, but he only has two posts so far. Both written in early March. And the first post isn't even an ODJ story, it is a description of the blog and apparently my state of being possessed by the blogosphere. Lame!

Because of Andrew's epic failure to maintain his blog, I am typing up the some of the ODJ stories he has shared through text messaging while at work.

Enjoy.

--

ODJ: you ever use the scoopie?
ODJ: you know the call you can make with your computer
Andrew: Oh Jimmy you mean skype?
ODJ: Oh so the E is sirent

--

ODJ: where you on Tuesday?
Andrew: some friends from out of town wanted to go to Disneyland.
ODJ: you are the Disneyland.... UH, uh, uh, uh, uh, the ddisneyland uh... Guy!

--

ODJ: you ever go to sex frags?

--

Twice ODJ has asked who the lady is on Andrew's mug.
The lady isn't a lady. He is Garth from Wayne's World

--

Jimmy thanked Andrew for helping him with an excel problem by showing him a video on his iPod. An inappropriate video for work.

--

ODJ: I like going to West Covina office because they have genital services
Andrew: uuuummmm what?
ODJ: you know genital services. They clean everything.
Andrew: Ohhhh janitorial services.
ODJ: Oh yeah...

--

ODJ: I'm wondering you is a fan of simons and garfunkel

--

ODJ: do you watch person escape?
Andrew: what?
ODJ: that TV show with the prison
Andrew: you mean Prison Break

--

If you enjoyed reading these ODJ conversation recaps you may also like Engrish.com.

If you didn't enjoy the short ODJ anecdotes, too bad. They are hilarious, especially when recapped by Andrew. Unfortunately, he fails to see the fun of blogging.

working for the weekend

One more final until I am a senior! That explains why I have been absent from my blog. Technically, I have been a senior for a while (according to units), but I won't consider myself a senior until I am in my fourth year of school. Some people graduate early, some become super seniors, some sign up for the progressive degree program, and some even pull a Van Wilder, but for me, four years is perfect. You see the natural progression of college life through those four years, and I enjoy carpe diem-ing ever minute.

Speaking of Van Wilder, this guy Johnny Lechner has been a college student since 1994. Wow. At least he has multiple degrees, but why not continue your education at a different level? How about a masters degree Johnny? His logic makes no sense and he has by far the most poorly designed website I have ever seen. Actually no, this website may be the worst. Speaking of bad design, check out USC's newest sculpture...


I needed to know what this thing is, so I searched the USC website and found this description in the news section - "A stunning bronze fountain, "Generations," sculpted by Aris Demetrios, is up and running northwest of Leavey Library, across from Stoops Education Library."

It is far from stunning. It is awkward not only in appearance but also in location. It has no relation to the environment. It is a huge bronze block next to the library. It looks like cheap brushed metal and how it represents "Generations" is beyond me. You could argue that the different sections of the fountain and the flowing curves symbolize generations, but I think it's a stretch. It's just ugly. USC has one of the worst public sculpture/fountain collections I have ever seen. Like my other favorite ugly fountain near the Engineering School. I hope I don't look that emaciated when I graduate. Clearly, money doesn't buy taste.

More posts to come. Maybe. GGAAHhhhhh finals.

Banksy’s Anonymous Call for Action

Here is a research paper I wrote for my Writ 340 class... enjoy? (I am usually uncomfortable sharing my writing, so I am impressed that I actually posted this.)



I found this video after I wrote my paper. It is an interesting companion to my paper.

As a result of globalization, consumerism has defined a new economic model that thrives on the specificity of supply and demand. This public consumption has challenged many products including art, which has far departed from traditional subjects and presentation spaces in order to offer accessibility to the general public. This departure has established new artistic narratives rooted in the method of display paired with the subject. Due to the increased access and production of art there is an excess of artwork. This mass production creates a constant visual spectacle for the masses. This is seen through most products like shirts or magazines, and also public spaces like billboards and public transportation vehicles. This visual spectacle has been acknowledged by theorists and artists alike, and now creates the new dilemma of how to wade through the mass production for an established meaning often clouded by advertisements. Guy Debord, a Marxist theorist, acknowledges how consumerism is defined by the spectacle, and how with the rise of this consumerist culture, the social experience is defined less by production and more by marketing and mass consumption (Debord 12). Art is abused for the purpose of this spectacle and when paired with institutional “relations of power,” recognized by French philosopher Michel Foucault, the public suffers from exploitation in order to serve economic and social interests (Clifford 139). But this exploitation remains primarily because of the masses’ inaction and indifference to the established systems.

Banksy, an anonymous British graffiti artist, has found a successful solution to this dilemma of power relations and visual spectacle that has resulted from mass production and the established structural systems. He uses graffiti art that is controversial both in subject matter and application to express his criticism of this current system. Banksy boldly calls attention to this spectacle and the political establishments of modern society through the practical use of graphic silhouettes and iconographic imagery in public spaces in order to address the frequent exploitation and inaction in society.

Banksy’s work is well known but he remains anonymous in order to focus on the narrative of his work and not its author. Consumerism runs on branding, by-lines, and labels in order to sell an object through public identification. There is a huge emphasis on the value of a name so Banksy’s anonymity not only brings intrigue to his work but also emphasizes his purpose of recognizing the spectacle that results from mass consumption. There is little the public knows about Banksy’s personal life, but his political and social opinions are clearly expressed through his artwork like in his Happy Chopper piece, Fig. 1, where he adorned a war time helicopter with a bow and a cheerful phrase in order to create a satirical image that allows for public shock or recognition of the negative subject (Banksy, Wall and Piece 38).

Fig. 1. Banksy, Happy Chopper. 2003. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy has created other, similar images that target political institutions, human crimes, and mass consumed products. Though anonymous, he maintains an active website (see <http://www.banksy.co.uk>) and he has published a book in order to make these critical images even more public than they already are.

Banksy began his graffiti art at young age, and with his experience and he learned how to perfect his techniques, like silhouetting, allowing for his current success in conveying his ideas. In his book, Wall and Piece, Banksy recalls a time when he was eighteen and almost got caught trying to paint “LATE AGAIN” on a passenger train (Banksy, Wall and Piece 13). While hiding from the cops he saw some stenciled text and realized that stencils would improve his graffiti time and allow him to make large bold work that would easily express his ideas. From that point, Banksy perfected his method of graffiti through the development of silhouette-like art. In 2001, Banksy began receiving international attention because of his public stencil work that revolved around “creating art that interacts with its environment - and usually with a satirical, often political, bent” that “exists somewhere between Marcel Duchamp and Houdini” (Fahy 4). James Fahy is accurate in his characterization of Banksy. Banksy is defined by his unconventional methods and critiques of production like Duchamp, and with his Houdini like skills he covers public canvases with his political satires. This description is mildly obscure, but then considerably specific considering the anonymity of Banksy.

These characteristics along with his anonymity provide a unique dimension for establishing a public narrative filled with questions and irony. Banksy states that “it takes a lot of guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy and call for things no-one else believes in – like peace and justice and freedom” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 35). Though a hyperbolic statement, it is part of his manifesto to call attention to abuses in culture whether it is exploitation or inaction. There are other people in the world who preach similar ideas, but few have successfully expressed this through art in a way that is absorbed by the public as something more than artistic spectacle. Graffiti art is risky because of its illegal nature, but the risk allows for a public image that will gain many spectators.

Banksy’s art criticizes injustices in society and his covert actions reinforce his messages. Michel Foucault recognized that through the disciplinary training of a political system subjects will act in accordance with the norms to serve economic and social interests (Foucault). It is an established society that exploits the individual and allows for institutions to grow, like the fear created in the panopticon, an architectural figure developed by Jeremy Bentham (Foucault). The panopticon is a prison-like structure and within the structure there is an area where it is possible to survey every prisoner, but the prisoners cannot see the guards making it impossible to identify when one is being watched (Foucault). This fear and uncertainty is the reasoning behind why the general public does not violate governmental laws. This same government fuels monopolies and subordination, eventually leading to public inaction and numbness. Banksy sees the injustice in this fear and as a result creates images like Fig. 2 where a British Royal Guard, the Queen’s guard, is peeing on a wall in order to question and ridicule the system and it’s power.

Fig. 2. Banksy, 2002. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy challenges the state’s exploitation and the public’s inaction through his work’s humor and irony to identify injustices. These are large claims, but the general “relations of power” that Foucault calls attention to is present in multiple scenarios and Banksy addresses this relationship by displaying his art in multiple locations in order to publicly encourage action more broadly. Banksy cites the following Emo Philips quote as his personal manifesto:

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized God doesn’t work that way,
so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. (Banksy)

The quote is both simple and direct, like his art, and it is precisely what Banksy emulates in his work, movement for change rather than inaction so wrongs can be identified. Banksy recognizes that “A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to,” so Banksy has become a guerilla street artist in order to be a driving force to encourage action or at least recognition of certain conditions (Banksy, Wall and Piece 21).

Banksy presents his political messages through a variety of artistic mediums, but his most well known work is his graphic silhouette-like graffiti. The use of silhouettes in Banksy’s work is essential considering the risk of graffiti art. With experience, Banksy has found that stenciling silhouettes expedites his work and provides him with more opportunities and locations to adequately display his satirical work given the risk. Silhouettes have a diverse history; some historians dating the technique back to Egyptian and Greek artistic styles, but despite the complicated history, silhouettes generally remain associated with simple European portraiture and not graffiti (Knipe 206). The name “silhouette” was derived from Etienne de Silhouette, King Louis XV’s finance minister. The minister was highly conservative and his stringent monetary tactics established his public reputation as cheap, and as a result cheaply made things were labeled a la Silhouette (Knipe 204). The value of silhouette portraiture was lost with the invention of the camera, but the technique has remained in art and is now being modified in application as seen in Banksy’s graffiti strategy.

Silhouettes are valuable because of their simplicity and “cheapness”, but they are also important for a spectator’s quick recognition and interpretation of the art. In art, there is often the assumption that more detail is better because it clarifies the subject with specifics. However, minimalist art is reduced to fundamental features, identifying the core of the subject for identification. The clarity of the work is up to interpretation, but with a silhouette, similar to minimalism, “nothing is obscured by irrelevant lines… no figure-ground organization is necessary, nor is any special set required by the observer” (Crowley 303). The “cheapness” of silhouetting, identified with its history, is not only practical financially but it ties back to Banksy’s critique of consumerism and “relations of power” (Clifford 139). This “cheap” graffiti art becomes part of the spectacle and with its content, but eventually rises above and actually ridicules its means. Banksy uses public spaces to display his art, so simplicity allows for quick identification of objects in a fast paced environment. Though easily recognizable, silhouettes can also mask certain elements, creating an evolution of meaning through increased observation. Due to the simple form of a silhouette, people assume what the image is but with a closer look finer details can be realized.

Kara Walker is a studio artist, but she utilizes silhouettes for this very purpose of evolving meaning in a simple image. At first glance, Walker’s work seems romantic and poetic with childlike silhouettes channeling historical caricatures. Her trees set a stage for “stock” characters involved in a fairy tale, but when observed more closely disturbing elements become apparent causing discomfort in the spectator through sad realizations of cliché stereotypes and harmful race and gender realities (Pinder). For example in Kara Walker’s Cut, Fig. 3, the black silhouette appears to be a graphic image of a girl dancing, but then once realizing the finer details the spectator is aware of the suicidal action of the subject cutting her wrist.

Fig. 3. Kara Walker, Cut. 9 April 2009 .

The silhouettes allow for the stereotypical historical associations, but when paired with sexual and grotesque imagery additional narratives evolve. Walker uses recognizable antebellum clothing for quick reads of her silhouettes. Banksy utilizes public icons like Mickey Mouse, children, The Mona Lisa and other similar images for quick recognition like Walker, but also to put emphasis on his unique social commentary.

Banksy uses silhouettes because of the ability for additional concepts to evolve and with his use of contradicting elements he calls attention to current societal conditions. Upon first glance of Banksy’s Bomb Hugger piece, Fig. 4, a cute girl is easily recognized, but with an extended look it is realized that a bomb is in her arms.

Fig. 4. Banksy, Bomb Hugger. 2003. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Similar Banksy works include: a tank with a megaphone on top, a religious icon with a halo circling a gun, a British Royal Guard spray painting the anarchy sign, and the iconic Che Guevara image repeated but slowly melting away. These images are always bold and eye catching, appealing graphic art for the masses, but the combination of conflicting elements establish critical narratives that identify current conditions. Bomb Hugger critiques current events of war and how war is perceived through the media, affecting children. The Che Guevara piece, Fig. 5, calls attention to mass media and how many people purchase this iconic image on products, but the meaning is lost through the excess of production.

Fig. 5. Banksy. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Banksy put the collection of images on a bridge above an area in London that sold Che products

These satirical images challenge the viewer to consider the connotations not only of the image but its location, which adds meaning when recognizing nearby landmarks or local historical events. Banksy has artwork in the south that relates to racial issues as well as social problems that were addressed with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Banksy). The images are eye-opening and make a strong statement about human establishments. By making these images public they are unavoidable and often shocking considering the circumstances, whether it be the location or the subject. Like Banksy’s particularly controversial piece where he painted a KKK member hanging in a noose on the side of a Chevron station in Alabama (Fahy 4). This strategy is similar to how Debord aimed to redefine conditions in order to show reality. Debord presented a concept called the dérive, which is an example of seeking truth and transforming social order. Acknowledging that spectacles are a denial of life, the dérive aim to wander in order to study a terrain or create “emotional disorientation” to construct “real” situations (Theory of the Dérive 52). They simply do unconventional things to confuse and awaken people to “reality.” Banksy does not believe that people are disillusioned like Debord, but Banksy does believe that his public graffiti can help construct change in action and reaction by awakening people to harsh realities.

Graffiti allows Banksy to criticize and challenge society through his subject and application. Banksy recognizes the controversy of graffiti but believes that “despite what they say, graffiti is not the lowest form of art… it’s actually one of the most honest art forms available. There is no elitism or hype, it exhibits on the best wall a town has to offer and nobody is put off by the price of admission” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 8). Knowing the possible power of graffiti when used appropriately, Banksy even encourages others to participate. For a series, Banksy stenciled traditional type on public walls “legalizing” graffiti like in Fig. 6 (Banksy, Wall and Piece 60).

in order to clearly articulate his statement about “the endless recycling of an icon” and how people wear and absorb revolutionary products but never take any actions themselves (Banksy, Wall and Piece 47).

Fig. 6. Banksy. Wall and Piece. Banksy. New York: Random House UK, 2007

Soon after he stenciled these signs, the walls were covered with graffiti showing the true structural power of public institutions as discussed by Foucault. This series identifies how the masses are aware of guidelines and yearn for extended self-expression but remain idol unless cued to act. Often Banksy displays satirical images to critique wrongs in society hoping to encourage action, but give the existing numbness sometimes Banksy takes the extra step to call for it like Fig. 6 or in similar work where he stenciled text stating, “Designated Riot Area” (Banksy, Wall and Piece 67).

Banksy is widely appreciated, but even those that do not respect his work are unable to ignore his messages because of the techniques he uses that incorporate graphic imagery and public spaces. Banksy has identified his own manifesto but his ideology is more appropriately defined by a quote from the Indian Mystic Osho, “Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence.” Banksy sees the injustices in society, formed through consumerism and governmental control that spawns a public numbness. Banksy uses his creativity and unique graffiti method to rebel and to encourage rebellion. He adds to the visual spectacle present in society in order to criticize it through his satirical images. His method and his imagery are both ironic in nature to call attention to societies wrongs. Though anonymous he is able to make a call to action or at least awaken the public.

Works Cited

Banksy. 20 March 2009 .

Banksy. Wall and Piece. New York: Random House UK, 2007.

Buzzell, Colby. "I Am Banksy." Esquire Dec. 2005: 198-204.

Clifford, Michae. Political Genealogy After Foucault Savage Identities. New York: Routledge, 2001.

Crowley, Miriam E. "A Puzzle-Picture in Silhouette." The American Journal of Psychology 65 (1952): 302-04. Jstor. University of Southern California. 23 March 2009 .

Fahy, James P. "Breaking the Banksy." Birmingham Weekly 11 Sept. 2008, 12th ed., sec. 2: 4-6.

Guy Debord. “Theory of the Derive.” The Situationist International Anthology. Ed. And trans.
Ken Knabb. Berkeley: The Bureau of Public Secrets, 1981 (no copyright). 50-54, 372.

Guy Debord. The Society of the Spectacle. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. New York: Zone Books, 1994. 11-24

Kara Walker. 9 April 2009

Knipe, Penley. "Paper Profiles: American Portrait Silhouettes." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 41 (2002): 203. Jstor. University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 23 March 2009 .

"PART THREE: DISCIPLINE 3. Panopticism." Michel Foucault: Panopticism. 22 Aug. 2001. Cartome. 2 Apr. 2009 .

Pinder, Kymberly N. "Missus Kara E. Walker: Emancipated, and On Tour." The Art Bulletin 90 (2008): 640-49. ProQuest. University of Southern California. 23 March 2009 .