ART & THE CHARACTER OF NEIGHBORHOODS

STEVE ROTMAN

Urban blight or neighborhood character? Graffiti and street art still elicit bipolar reactions. We think the incredible color, detail, passion, and visual narratives can transform urban areas, lifting them to higher planes, adding character and offering hope.

Photographer Steve Rotman has been obsessed with capturing the images created by some of the most talented and inspiring graffiti artists around. He began his focus in the San Francisco Bay area, with its spectacular underground art scene, and has since expanded to colorful spots around the world.

From dark back alleys to crumbling public works, from rusted rail yards to battered delivery trucks, from dismal housing project walls to grimy tunnels, the bright paint splashes of humanity, seeking something more, gives them new grace.

Rotman’s books, San Francisco Street Art and Bay Area Graffiti, are fabulous references. We are hoping he produces a new volume, a compilation of the latest and the best neighborhood character pieces he has found since.

It is more of a challenge today, as local governments have moved to eliminate graffiti, considering it to be vandalism vs embellishment. Just a few years ago, you could find masterpiece throw-ups blazing glory all over town, turning drab into delight.

But lots have been buffed away, despite the fact that, over the past few decades, some graffiti artists have moved from the streets to the galleries and museums.

Rotman defines graffiti as more of a gang mission to spread its name, in tags, all over, to mark territory. He considers street art as a medium of expression and narrative.

Graffiti and street art can both be beautiful. The fanciful lettering in tags is a form of urban calligraphy, while the throw-ups are murals that might have been painted by Da Vinci if he were from the ‘hood.

Each work is rather personal, oozing with clues about the character of the artist. While most artists are local, San Francisco, attract artists from around the world, like the Brazilian duo Os Gemeos, London-based D*Face, and Germany’s Dome, who lend their character to the mix.

Rotman is a fascinating character in his own right. Beyond his passionate photography, he works as a radio announcer for 2 San Francisco jazz stations and as a history teacher at several local high schools.

Be sure to check out the beauty of Character on Character Day, tomorrow 09.18.15.

Read more about Beautiful Character, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including The Beauty of Character Now, Character Could be Our Most Beautiful Element Yet… .and The Beautiful Character of Gin Now And be sure to check out Character Day on 09.18.15. #CharacterDay.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Steve Rotman. Keb.
2. Image: by Steve Rotman.
3. Image: by Steve Rotman. Hicup, Deko, Kady.
4. Image: by Steve Rotman Bay Area Graffiti.
5. Image: by Steve Rotman. Mural by Mike “Bam” Tyau & Estria. Koi Fish & Samurai Girl.
6. Image: by Steve Rotman. Graffuturism - “Chez, Natrl, Mes, Nero73, Poesia, Rome.”
7. Image: by Steve Rotman. Spank, Gaunt.
8. Image: by Steve Rotman. Steel.
9. Image: by Steve Rotman. Reyes, Steel.
10. Image: by Steve Rotman. Sand.
11. Image: by Steve Rotman. Rome "Fire Squad" - East Bay
12. Image: by Steve Rotman. Rock, Paper, Scissors - By Caratoes, Lauren YS and Tatiana Suarez.
13. Image: by BN App - Download now!
14. Image: by Steve Rotman. Gory, King157, Joker.