Houston Street Art Tour with Scott M. Haskins, Art Conservator

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Houston Street Art Tour with Scott M. Haskins, Art Conservator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Aw8ejkcAsY
Recently I was working in Houston on the mural conservation of an important, even
iconic, historical mural by one of - if not by THE most important African American
mural artists in US history, Dr. John Biggers. But while in Houston, we took the time
to scout around and found in the same area where we were working, the 3rd Ward,
something “worth writing home about.” I want to post about an art district of murals
with some very nice images though nothing really blew me away like I saw in Porto,
Portugal (see link below) or that I’m used to seeing in Los Angeles
(http://www.SaveFreewaayMurals.com).
The art in this video comes and goes. One girl lamented that they come by often to
take pictures and see the evolution of the art because most of the artwork gets
covered over, though a few images had been up for years.
It seems that there is a trend for street artists to put their work up, then focus on the

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challenge of getting their image to go viral. A lot of times, the fact that the artwork is
someplace illegal adds to the vibe and appeals to this underground movement.
Banksy’s outlaw status makes him a legend and had developed into a hero status.
In theory, its kind of like the illustrators from 100 years ago who created the
artwork, got it published and threw the artwork away. Only Norman Rockwell really
broke big time into the legitimate art market. Otherwise, illustrations were never
considered real art. Today’s street artists, get the artwork up on the wall, then don’t
care about its long term visibility cause they have a virtual world-wide presence and
visibility that can help them sell prints, paintings, coffee cups or whatever.
Still though, the girls I talked to said they cry when they see the really good artwork
get tagged and covered up to be lost forever.
I love the type of emotional involvement, intellectual stimulation that I experience
when I am in front of contemporary street art and my connection with
contemporary artists of murals in public places I enjoy very much. Part of that
intellectual stimulation is seeing or understanding the difference between fast food
art, vandalism and true masterpieces in public places.
But, how do you protect street art – public murals from vandals/graffiti? Applying a
substantial sacrificial resin coating is one way. Here’s a quick video:
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/varnishing-a-mural-antigraffiti-
measures-protecting-public-art/
Is Street Art Worth Saving? A Conundrum! International mastermind group debates
mural and art conservation issues
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/travel/is-street-art-worth-saving-a-
conundrum-international-mastermind-group-debates-mural-and-art-conservation-
issues/

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Mural Conservation Masterclass Discusses Issues for Contemporary Art Murals in
Public Places http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/travel/masterclass-of-
conservation-issues-for-contemporary-art-murals-in-public-places/
Bibliography – Public Murals and Street Art Conservation
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/bibliography-public-murals-and-street-
art-conservation/
Questions? Call mural conservator Scott M. Haskins at 805
564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com