UnCutt is a New York City-based street artist originally from Queens. His signature style involves stencils and screen prints of famous figures like Michael Jackson. While his message of "Protecting Yo Heart" aims to spread positivity, some criticize his work as repetitive or feel he compromises his street art roots by commercializing his brand. Opinions on UnCutt are mixed, though most agree his intention is to provoke positive reactions through accessible imagery.

1. Another example of stencils…

2. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
UnCutt (sometimes known as
UnCasso) is a New York City based
street artist, originally from
Queens. His work can now be found
in New Jersey, Miami, and beyond.

3. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
UnCutt gained massive notoriety
in 2014 at Art Basel (a large art-
fair in Miami) when he created a
massive mural of Steve Jobs at
Wynwood Walls, a location
similar to the Coney Island Art
Walls.

4. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
UnCutt gained massive notoriety
in 2014 at Art Basel (a large art-
fair in Miami) when he created a
massive mural of Steve Jobs at
Wynwood Walls

6. Protecting Yo Heart simply means to be careful what you put in your
Heart, from negative words, people, to negative feelings. You see, the
heart is a self-contained organ like the rest of our wonderful body. The
heart plays an important role in your physical & Spiritual (vibration) life.
Physically, by making sure that clean blood is distributed through out
the body and spiritually, allow you to freely give & accept love thru out
the Universe. Now, the key is making sure we don’t interfere with that
natural order. We don’t have to try to love because love is like air, it’s all
over, a reminder to be mindful of what we allow in. You see, I just want
everybody to realize that we share the same energy and that we are all
one race.

7. How do we decide what we allow in? Emotionally? Socially?
Sara: It’s kinda cheesy. He’s trying so hard to make things sound so poetic.
Jov: Your heart has to be broken in order to know how to let other emotions in.
Miles: I agree. You need experience to decide what to allow. If it feels good, allow
it. But you need to know WHAT feels good, what you’re interested in.
Breana: I disagree a BIT. You don’t need to have your heart broken….Like when an
11-year old gets their heart broken....and I’m like “please shut up.” It depends on
how “guarded” you are.
Mena: “x-out” all the negative things in your life.
Celly: It’s about building connections with people. We can’t say who is allowed to
have emotions here.
Eric: You gotta have “emotional padding” I got naggy parents…they do things I
don’t appreciate sometimes but it helps me build up a tolerance or understanding
for conflict.

8. How do we decide what we allow in? Emotionally? Socially?
.Elianny: Sometimes when your being told information you choose what is valid and what is not.
.Eli: Its different for everyone. What you feel is right. Mutual understanding.
.Dom: Based on what effects me and motivates me positively. Keep out the negativity. Stay positive. You
decide how you respond to the chaos in the world.
Question everything.
Imani: when someone shows you a nice gesture like paying for something. You question the motivation
behind it.
Dom: Sometimes they have other intentions behind it. I do nice things for those I care about.
Freddie: If I see someone on the train like a kid or elder I will get up for them.
Nate: You can be nice just to be nice. If I want something I’ll do something nice to flatter someone. Like my
mom if she’s mad I’ll do something nice. Your always going to be a little bit selfish. Your going to do
something for the satisfaction of doing it.

9. “My message is way bigger then a sidewalk that’s full of gum, cigarette
butts and those wack ass marks those construction dudes be leaving on
the ground in bright orange, red or black spray cans. I try to be very
respectable about this but everybody's gonna have something to say
when they don’t understand your moves. All I can say is, this is not for
them and they don’t deserve my time.”

10. “My message is way bigger then a sidewalk that’s full of gum, cigarette
butts and those wack ass marks those construction dudes be leaving on
the ground in bright orange, red or black spray cans. I try to be very
respectable about this but everybody's gonna have something to say
when they don’t understand your moves. All I can say is, this is not for
them and they don’t deserve my time.”

12. “[After years of using this quote,] one of my followers informed me to
look into Proverb 4:23. Come to find out, the quote says: Above all else,
Guard your heart for everything you do comes from it.
So I saw that as a sign that I came up with the new version for our
generation and I was convinced that the Universe is really speaking
through me and I must spread the word that we all already know but
seem to forget the importance because of our everyday lifestyle of
trying to keep up with this physical life.”

13. Interpretations???
.
.
.

14. Interpretations???
.
.
.

15. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart

16. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
The Love Board
waslocated on 9th
ave
between 14th
and 15th
streets. On the first
day, the board was
fully covered early
into the project.
UnCutt erased it six
more times as it filled
up, documenting the
results on instagram.
He continues to
maintain the piece at
various venues

17. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
With journalist Noor Tagouri
@ntagouri
The Love Board
waslocated on 9th
ave
between 14th
and 15th
streets. On the first
day, the board was
fully covered early
into the project.
UnCutt erased it six
more times as it filled
up, documenting the
results on instagram.
He continues to
maintain the piece at
various venues

18. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
UnCutt continues to use this
graphic style in his other work.
His image of Michael Jackson has
been almost as prolific as Protect
Yo Heart. He often chooses
‘people who inspire him’ as
subjects of his work.
Notorious BIG
2016
Coco Chanel
2016
YoungMJ
Date unknown

19. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
Much of UnCutt’s YoungMJ work
is screen printed and wheat-
pasted. This follows a long
tradition of street artists like
Swoon and Shepard Fairey…
“All these strange
pieces came
together to create
this beautiful
image…as humans,
so can we.”

20. UnCutt
@uncuttart
@protectyoheart
Also similar to other street
artists like OBEY, UnCutt has
begun to monetize his street art
into commercial products and
fashion. Most of these are
limited edition.

21. Does this impact the quality of UnCutt’s work? Final Thoughts?
Chris: He’s the graffiti version of Logic….He thinks he’s the best at his
craft but he’s actually mediocre.
Miles: He’s just trying to remind people to do what makes you happy.
But in his mind he was put on Earth to share this message...the wasy
he words it is a bit extreme.
Corina:
.
.

22. Does this impact the quality of UnCutt’s work? Final Thoughts?
Nate: I don’t really like when people draw on Tim’s.
Imani: He’s kinda corny. How are you gonna sell out like this??
Graffiti is all about the appreciation of art. He’s financially benefiting
from it?? You’re not “for the people” if you’re just selling your graffiti
art.
Rose: It’s kind of the same thing that happened with Banksy. Selling
your art goes against what you’re saying.
Eli:

23. Final Thoughts on UnCutt??
Miles: I like him because he provokes a positive
reaction in people. It’s all trying to make people feel
good! He’s NOT a sell-out
Breana: I’m OK with it. I don’t NOT like him.
Gaya: He’s trying too hard….I don’t find this cool or
anything.
Eric: I don’t like him. The stencils I’m cool with, but his
work seems a bit repetitive at times. Going beyond his
artwork, his character (personality) is a bit off for me?
The sunrise Jesus pictures….whu??
Lauren: Side-Thumb. He’s a bit full of it…but he’s doing
what he feels his purpose is. He’s not doing any harm...
Chris: Side-Thumb: It’s a good message, positive vibes,
but the work itself is mediocre.
Jov! The work is not that great to be selling for
thousands of dollars. Anybody can paint a picure of
Biggie.
LoveIsWall City to City
Tour
Detroit, Chi, Philly, DC, San
Fransisco, etc
May 11, 2023, 7:00 PM –
Jun 02, 2023, 11:00 PM
Detroit, Chi, Philly, DC, San
Fransisco,etc

24. Final Thoughts on UnCutt??
. Nate- His work is corny and tacky, I just don’t like his
work
. Domo – His work is easy to do but he is unique since
he is taking charge and pushing the idea forward
. Elianny- I like his message but I’m not a huge fan of
his work. There is nothing wrong with his work being
simple as long as his intention is being put through
Freddie- His work is cool but his message is unoriginal
and corky
.Rosandris- His message doesn’t really speak to me
Eli-I don’t like his work and since anybody can do it, I
don’t really see the purpose
..
.
.
LoveIsWall City to City
Tour
Detroit, Chi, Philly, DC, San
Fransisco, etc
May 11, 2023, 7:00 PM –
Jun 02, 2023, 11:00 PM
Detroit, Chi, Philly, DC, San
Fransisco,etc

25. Do now:
Describe the demographic(s) you
belong to.
Demographic: A particular categorization of consumers

26. Andre the Giant
(1946-1993)
Professional
wrestler
 Actor (The
Princess Bride)
 Suffered from
acromegaly, which is
a dysfunction of the
pituitary gland,
causing excessive
largeness.

27. Obey

28. Obey Demographics
• Jov! I have some clothes from
them….but I’m not a hype beast.
• Breana: Hype beast stuff!
• Eric: I DON’T have any Obey
clothing. The only people I’ve seen
where Obey clothing are…that one
Hispanic girl?
• Miles: I bought it! It was cheap.
• “Streetwear” clothing that is
conspicuous, OBVIOUS, and
marketed towards Teens.
– It USED to be hype beast clothing, but
now it’s more lowkey.

29. Obey Demographics
• .
• .
• Young folks—TEENS! Mischief
makers, skaters, graffiti writers,
• Nate when he was 14.

30. Obey is…
Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey is the man
behind OBEY GIANT, the
graphics that have changed the
way people see art and the
urban landscape. What started
with an absurd sticker he
created in 1989 while studying
at the Rhode Island School of
Design has since evolved into a
worldwide street art campaign,
as well as an acclaimed body of
fine art.

31. Shepard Fairey
Andre The Giant Has a Posse
1989
While at Rhode Island School of Design

32. What is wheat paste?
Water, flour and sugar (and copper sulphate to make it insect resistant)
Keeps for about a week

33. Shepard Fairey
Andre The Giant
Early 1990’s
Kent Ave,
Williamsburg,
Brooklyn

34. Shepard
Fairey
Andre The Giant
Early 1990’s
Kent Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn North 6th
and Berry street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn - 2013

35. The next iteration…

36. Similarities? Differences?

37. Similarities? Differences?
Dom: The newer one is closer, zoomed in on his face.
Freddie: The newer one is more stylistic, the 1989 one is more photo-based.
The newer one has a pop-art vibe.
Rose: The new one seems more simple.
Elly: There’s less detail in the new iteration, so more basic?but not in a bad
way. Aesthetically it looks simpler than the other one.

38. Similarities? Differences?
Brianna: The same facial features. The “new” iteration is
zoomed in (magnified)
Sara: The newer one is “cleaner” the lines are crisp. The old one
is more rough.
Miles: The new one is “richer” there’s no dots…the colors are
more solid.
Lauren: the newer one is a bit more abstract, with less details.
The person in the picture is less identifiable.
.

39. Shepard Fairey
OBEY GIANT “Icon face”
Circa 1992

40. Shepard Fairey
Miles: OH, this is like that
spice??
Eric: That’s…Old Bay.
To submit to someone’s control
and follow it
-Dogs obey*.
-People obey the government and
authority figures.
-Children obey parents.
-Religious authorities/texts
UNLESS they’re rebels.
*except huskies who work cooperatively like Bernie Sanders.
Breana: sometimes people say one
thing but mean another.
Alex: Like SARCASM.

41. Shepard Fairey
From THEY LIVE
1988

42. Elly: You see the “true” intentions behind
things in this video
Nate: The brand itself is just telling you to
“obey” from the jump.
Dom: The stuff we see has a secret meaning
behind it. And maybe this is like a Rorschach
test?
Elly: IT’s how what’s in front of you isn’t
what it truly is. I’m starting to agree with
Nate, how this might have a double
meaning, how it may talk about society in
general and how we “obey.” thinking about
who we look up to.
Freddie: the artist, Shepard Fairey is making
people who consume and buy his products
advertise for him.

43. Shepard Fairey
Breana: He was looking at a lot of
consumer items – billboards, magazines,
shops…and he realizes the real meaning
behind what’s really being said. And
how we fight to control money and
prodcuts.
Britt: I was confused at first, but this is
talking about the high demand we have
in society with stereotypes.
Sawicka: We as people want the most
for ourselves (excpt huskies) like on
Black Friday how we all want to buy as
much as we can for ourselves.
Lauren: This relates still to right now (30
years later). We are constantly being
“fed” new products and info.
Eric: Interesting how it was supposed to
“wake people up.”

44. Shepard Fairey
.
.
.
.
.

45. Engineering (Propaganda), 2008, 29 x 40 inches Silkscreen & Mixed Media Collage on Paper
Shepard
Fairey

46. Shepard Fairey
Burmese Monk, 2009, 44 x 60 inches, Stencil & Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

47. Shepard Fairey
Burmese Monk, 2009, 3 or 4 stories high, near 3rd
Ave / 4th
ave / Bowery intersection

48. Shepard Fairey
Guns and Roses, 2007, 30 x 44 inches, Retired Stencil & Mixed Media Collage on Paper

49. Shepard Fairey
Guns and Roses, 2011, Copenhagen Denmark

50. Shepard Fairey
On Mercer Street (near Grand and Broome) in SoHo

51. Shepard Fairey
“I can express myself…and I
feel that everybody should
have the ability to express
themselves…as long as what
they’re doing isn’t hurting
someone else.”
1970-Video!

52. Shepard Fairey
Dom: He seems open minded and educated.
Eli: I agree. Like he’s proved other people wrong by
taking something people doubted and making it
popular. He’s super dedicated, putting up his work
EVERYWHERE
Nate: I haven’t really seen his personality yet…he could
be a crazy conspiracy theorist, or just a regular guy who
is curious about the world.
Elly: He seems like an average guy. Just trying to get his
stuff out there. He seems kind of humble?
Nate: He doesn’t take himself too seriously. He’s
dedicated to his art. He’s not bougie or full of himself.
Sandris: He’s average as a person…but with his work he
takes it really seriously and is really resourceful.
Sums: Some of the repetition reminds me of Andy
Warhol.
1970-

53. Shepard Fairey
Wicka: He’s got kind of a basic message. We learned about this
in global I think?
like the :”golden rule? ”Treat others the way you wanna
be treated?”
Moh: Seems basic to me. It seems like common sense to me.
Daniel: I agree to some extent…but if you share things in
today’s world, you can get a lot of backlash. The internet is not
a forgiving place.....
Britt: …the quote shows his respectfulness. UNLIKE LADY PINK!
Miles: CHURRRRCH!!!!
Daneil: Really ambitious and a sense of humor, which we
haven’t seen in other artists so far.
Jov! Like the type of guy who has and will continue to run from
the cops.
Lauren: He doesn’t take himself too seriously, even though his
work is quite well known. He’s kind of amazing.
1970-

54. Shepard
Fairey
Commanda
2007
18x24 screen printed
Edition of 350

55. Shepard
Fairey

56. Shepard
Fairey

57. Shepard Fairey
Williamsburg Hall of Music (brooklyn)

58. Shepard Fairey
Williamsburg Hall of Music (brooklyn)

59. Shepard Fairey
Williamsburg Hall of Music (brooklyn)

60. Shepard Fairey:
On Our Hands
Jacob Lewis
Gallery
521 West 26th
Street, 4th FloorFine Art!

61. Shepard Fairey:
On Our Hands
Jacob Lewis
Gallery
521 West 26th
Street, 4th Floor
Fine Art!

62. Shepard Fairey:
On Our Hands
Jacob Lewis
Gallery
521 West 26th
Street, 4th Floor
Fine Art!

63. Shepard Fairey
Obama Poster
2008

64. Shepard Fairey
Sawicka: It’s the same bold art! The colors are a bit different. Fairey incorporated our flag
into it.
Sara: The words carry different intentions and connotations.
Lauren: OBEY is a commentary on how we’re told what to do...but he switched it up for
Obama.
Jov! Is it Obama being in the photo that makes this significant or the fact that Shep made
it? WHY does this catch your attention???
Miles: This is all about the art work (not the artist). It’s about moving in a better direction.
Eric:
.
.
.

65. Shepard Fairey
Elly: The difference is in WHO is being promoted.
Are these two different messages?
Sums: The Obama one is meant to be RECOGNIZED. But the Obey one has a more flexible
interpretation.
Eli: But I feel like the Obama one has a hidden meaning to it, like how the OBEY one is to
rebel against the system, the Obama one is to get you to move on…it’s about focusing on
the people around you.
Nate: The OBEY one is sarcastic, but the OBAMA one is more hopeful for change, so that
we don’t have to rebel anymore.
Dom: They’re just aesthetically similar.
Nate: And they have very BOLD faces….but the messages are different.

66. Shepard Fairey
Obama Poster
2008
.
.
.
Is this propaganda?
….

67. Shepard Fairey
Obama Poster
2008
.
.
.

68. vs. (Shepard Fairey)
On February 4, 2009, the Associated Press announced that it
determined "that the photograph used in the poster is an AP
photo and that its use required permission."
In January 2009 photographer and
blogger Tom Gralish discovered that
the poster was based on an Associated
Press photograph by freelance
photographer Mannie Garcia.

69. vs.
On October 16, 2009, Fairey admitted that he had based the
poster on the AP photograph and had fabricated and
destroyed evidence on an old hard drive to hide the fact that
he stole the image.
(Shepard Fairey)

70. Obama Poster
2008
vs. (Shepard Fairey)

71. “I said, ok, I’ll pay the licensing fee.
And [the AP] said, no, we want to
claim damages. I said damages?
Because of my poster the Mannie
Garcia picture is now worth more
than it ever would have been.”
-Shepard Fairey
vs.
The AP and Shepard Fairey settled out of court in January
2011. In a press release, the AP announced that the AP and
Fairey "agreed to work together going forward with the Hope
image and share the rights to make the posters and
merchandise bearing the Hope image and to collaborate on a
series of images that Fairey will create based on AP
photographs. The parties have agreed to additional financial
terms that will remain confidential."
(Shepard Fairey)

72. OBEY Clothing was formed in 2001 as an
extension of Shepard's range of work. Much of
the clothing was designed by fashion designers
Grace Lee and Mike Ternosky.
Sales rose steadily in the early 2000’s peaking
in the mid-to-late 2000’s, remaining
somewhat steady since.

73. Selling OBEY…
Selling out?

74. Fairey steeps his ideology and iconography in self-empowerment.
With biting sarcasm and reverse psychology, he goads viewers to
“OBEY” so that they can be more aware of propagandistic people
that will bend the world to their own agendas.

75. Do Now: 5 min. To share with class
Shepard Fairey has amassed a great variety of work
over the past 25 years. Of all his work, which
FORMAT speaks strongest to his ideas about
Empowerment, Rebellion, and Solving World
Problems?
Illegal Street Art?
Commissioned Murals/pieces
Fine Art?
Clothing Line?

76. • V for Vendetta combined with
“Hope”
• The face from “The Purge”
• The hacker group “Anonymous”
• Levy: Obama didn’t do anything
when the banks messed up the
economy. ONLY ONE GUY was
held accountable.
• Moh: He’s taking one negative
thing (the Guy Fawkes mask) and
mixing it with the economic crisis
to make….a larger negative thing?
• Jaylieen: Two wrongs don’t make
a right!!
• Delani: Isn’t Shep contradicting
himself??? He’s critizing obama
with the classic obama image...

77. Catholic dissident Guy Fawkes and 12 co-conspirators spent months
planning to blow up King James I of England during the opening of
Parliament on November 5, 1605. But their assassination attempt
was foiled the night before when Fawkes was discovered lurking in a
cellar below the House of Lords next to 36 barrels of gunpowder.
Londoners immediately began lighting bonfires in celebration that the
plot had failed, and a few months later Parliament declared
November 5 a public day of thanksgiving. Guy Fawkes Day, also
known as Bonfire Night, has been around in one form or another
ever since. Though originally anti-Catholic in tone, in recent times it
has served mainly as an excuse to watch fireworks, make bonfires,
drink mulled wine and burn Guy Fawkes effigies (along with the
effigies of current politicians and celebrities).

78. Final Thoughts??How have you seen Shepard Fairey’s
work change over the years?
• Adiba: He’s contradicting himself in his work. Maybe
his work is a bit threatening??
• Moh: Aside from the Obama piece, he’s a great
artist…..his work conveys a lot and makes his viewers
feel certain types of ways.
• Gyaban: I don’t think Art should be used as a
weapon…it should be used as a tool to promote
peace.
• Dakota: He’s ok. I’m not sure how much I support all
his types of art…but the street art is more raw. It
shows his beliefs in a more legitimate way.
• Levy: He’s a great artist, but I lost respect for him
when he sold his work at Zumiez. You can pretend to
be anti-corprorate and do that.
• Christian:Other than the Guy Fawkes piece, I think
he’s a great artist. He’s using his art to pose
solutions to social problems.

79. Final Thoughts??How have you seen Shepard Fairey’s
work change over the years?
• Cass: I like his designs…but he’s a bit too political
for me. I get the need for political work, but it’s
not for me.
• Theresa: Some of his work loses it’s value when
it’s commissioned. It’s not as personal as some of
his other work. Same as the clothing line
• Danisa: TOTES DISAGREE ½ way tho. The
commissioned work doesn’t lose value, it’s just as
strong. The clothing line though? It’s pretty bad. I
didn’t realize he was an artist.
• Ingrid: I don’t see connections between all his
art….it’s all over the place. But with Swoon or Lady
Pink...there’s a common thread with their work.
Not so much with OBEY.
• Adrianna: It’s like he’s just making things to make
them.

81. Anyone Recognize this artist?

82. Cope2

83. Cope2
Initial interpretations
Sarah: The letters are bubbly and curvy. Not “edgy”
Aiden: the meaning of “cope” doesn’t correlate with the bubbliness
of the letters.
Sarah: DISAGREE….Maybe seeing bubbly colorful letters could
help you cope???
Nita: The colors are great, they “pop out.”
Marco: Usually it’s just one color….but there’s happiness here.
Danisa: It’s just a tag….drawing it big and bubbly.
.
.

84. Cope2
Initial interpretations
Kellyah: This looks like my grandma.
Azalea: He’s EXTRA. Why so many times?
Kendell: This looks like a Williamsburg store. Like he’s paid to do
this.
Tenzin: Very colorful, it looks nice.
Moh; He obviously doesn’t keep his identity a secret.
.
.

85. Cope2
“I was born in the South Bronx.
The home, the motherland, the Mecca
of hip hop. I started writing graffiti
back in 78-79. Influenced by my
cousin Chris. He tagged Chico. He
wasn’t a huge writer, just a local. I
remember him always having a huge
marker called a Pilot. He always had
it in his drawer. At times I would take
it when he wasn’t home, go under the
stairs or the rooftop of my
grandmothers building and just tag
my nickname (Nano). Then in 1979-
80 my cousin took me on the
subways… “

86. The 4 train was in my neighborhood. I remember taking the
back car from Mosholou Parkway to the last stop (Woodlawn
Rd). As soon as the doors would close he would make sure
the last car was empty and just start tagging all over the
train. On the ceilings, the doors even the subway maps. I
remember seeing other tags on the insides. Writers like Ban2,
2Rape, Ojab, Die, Lie, Duro, Dondi, Duel, Base2, Zephyr, Fuzz
one, just to name a few…

87. Thanks, Abdul!

88. Cope2

89. Cope2
My mother and I traveled
quite a bit on the subways
and I was always looking
at the outsides, seeing
huge names really blew
my head. The writers I
remember were Fritos,
Mark198, Dr. Pepper,
Killer56, Comet, Blade,
Popeye, Tracy168,
Deli167 (who was Ban2),
Lee, Seen, Pjay,P-nut2,
Medisco92 and my idol
Mitch77. That’s what
really inspired me to get
deeper into graffiti

90. Cha-cha-cha-
cha-
changes!!

91. Cope2 installing his work
at El Museo del Barrio
The artist

93. Nita: It looks a bit messy.
Artan: He wants you to feel like you’re on the street. Like it’s on a real
wall.
Ingrid: The El Museo piece doesn’t let you appreciate the individual
parts, compared to his other work.
Destiny: The point of this is to express his ideas…it’s not for the viewers
to necessarily understand.
Michael: I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. It’s like a timeline of when he
started to where he’s ended up. How he’s grown as an artist.
Danisa: I don’t know where to look when seeing this. I’m trying to eat
my sandwich here…..not get a a seizure.

94. Moh: There’s several styles of graffiti on the wall. Throwups, wildstyle,
several motifs, and MORE
Azalea: It’s all mixed up together, similar to the multiple
(COPECOPECOPE) images we’ve seen
Kendell: It’s looks kind of like a memorial. With the picture of him as a
kid. It’s like the highlights of all his street art.
Marco: SUPER VIBRANT COLORS.
Benz: THOSE COLORS THO. The work is stacked and layered. Like
graffiti on top of graffiti
Herbert: Lots of collage, it seems personal.

95. More Installation shots…Cope and his
assistants

96. Why “Our
World?”
Moh: This doesn’t make sense. It’s just him tagging his name and eh. That’s
it.
Tenzin: Maybe this is saying that humans are messy? It’s “OUR” world.
Gyaban: Maybe it’s not the actual location, (museum) maybe it’s his
creation of his own world in his art.
Jenn: Maybe this is all the styles that you see on a daily basis.
Mattia: Maybe this is referring to graffiti artists in general?
Tenzin: Despite all the different countries and races, we all live in the same
world.
Christian: I think he’s referring to NYers, this is OUR world. This is what we
see when we’re being social.

97. Why “Our
World?”
Promia: He’s trying to show “our” city.
Prince: All the colors give me some positive and happy feelings. I
guess he’s trying to say we should be giving off positive energy?
Aiden: This could be people he connects with, his background, his
community, his neighborhood….
Marco: It’s relevant that he chose to write it in SPANISH and not
ENGLISH.
Sakin: Maybe he’s talking about Graffiti artists??? It’s EVERYWHERE.
Sarah: Maybe he just wrote it in Spanish because it’s in…Spanish
Harlem?? At “El Museo del Barrio”....
Ingrid: maybe to connect it back to the “Museum of the
neighborhood” this is our little neighborhood world.

98. Cope2 at Wynwood Walls!
In 2015

99. Cope2 collaborations…
Bronx Mural 2010

100. Cope2

101. Cope2 and Buff Monster
Miami 2011

102. Cope is also represented by
Azart Gallery on West 27th
street in Chelsea…in 2014,
when he had an exhibition
called Under The Influence
At the same time as this
show, Cope was also offered
a chance to paint the Bowery
Mural…some of his followers
on twitter responded very
strongly to this though. While
this opened his artwork up to
totally new audiences, it also
was criticized by some of his
older followers.
Cope2 reacts to twitter…

103. Cope is also represented by
Azart Gallery on West 27th
street in Chelsea…in 2014,
when he had an exhibition
called Under The Influence
At the same time as this
show, Cope was also offered
a chance to paint the Bowery
Mural…some of his followers
on twitter responded very
strongly to this though.
While this opened his
artwork up to totally new
audiences, it also was
criticized by some of his
older followers.
Cope2 reacts to twitter use Vanda

104. Responding to the haters…
When asked about them, Cope2 emphatically told us, "I'm not
homophobic," adding, "I have many gay friends." He did admit,
however, that "it's wrong to use those words."

105. Final thoughts on Cope2?
Nila: He lets his name get to him and his pride
means a lot to who he is, and dosent really put
others as a first.
Delani: His work has no meaning..it’s just his
name. He’s kind of narcissistic.
Azalea:Regardless, it’s still wrong. He said it!
Jenn: A lot of people do this. They use words like
this but when people get called out, they say
they were ’just kidding’ Maybe he apologized as
a way to make himself look good.
Moh: I don’t like when artists reveal their
identity...People start looking at your more
carefully.....
Kendell:Maybe he never thought his work would
get to this degree of fame.

106. Final thoughts on Cope2?
Aidan: In response to the tweets, I think he’s just
passionate. People on twitter just like to bring
people down.
Danisa: DISAGREE. Even if you’re passionate. The
words are in your face…they don’t just slip
out....the “i have gay friends response” is NOT
how it works....
Nita:
Theresa: I think his graffiti is personal. It’s just
for him….it’s not for giving viewers a message.
Promia: Agree with Danisa….If you don’t like
people on the internet, just block them!! He
seems immature.
Cass: He’s probably NOT homophobic…but he
just seems like a mean person. If you’re that
famous, you should be used to it.....
.

107. Questions FOR Cope2?
Mattia: Why do multiple tags on a wall rather
than one large piece?
Tatiana: Where’s the 2??
Christian: Why cope? How did you decide on this
name?
Levy: When did you start calling yourself an
artist?
Moh: If you never picked up a spray paint can,
what do you think you’d be doing now?
Dakota: Who do you think is your ideal
audience?
Jaylieen: What are your next steps as an artist?
Daymoni/Moh: If you have kids, would you
allow them to do graffiti/street art?
Mattia: How do you handle people who are
critical of your work?

109. Brian Donnelly, or KAWS, is originally from Jersey City, New Jersey.
While much of his style began as street art and graffiti, he has quickly
risen to fame as a pop artist and designer.
His work includes repeated use of characters and motifs, some
dating back to the beginning of his career in the 1990s.

110. “Ad Disruption” was a series of work by KAWS that began in the
1990s. These works focused on subverting the images on bus
shelters, phone booth advertisements, and billboards. Soon
after his notoriety and popularity reached heights never
before expected and these ads became increasingly sought
after by the public.

111. 3D work…
In Tokyo, he began producing collectible toy figurines, started
his own brand (Original Fake), and collaborated with fashion
houses, of which the most notable was BAPE, a label that was
the apex of desirability for a certain tranche of hip and
rarefied consumer.

112. Original Fake
KAWS’ clothing/toy company, Original-Fake operated from 2006-
2013.

113. Commercial work
Despite the closing of Original Fake, KAWS has made a name
for himself by designing limited edition toys and clothing.
While his art stands somewhere between fine art and global
commerce, KAWS moved beyond the sphere of the exclusive
art market to occupy a more complex global market. What
advertising/promotion tactics do you think he uses?

114. “As far as the commercial sort of collaborations, there’s some I want to
do such as the toys and OriginalFake products. But, there are some
times when we may reach out to Disney or Warner Bros. – I actually
have one project coming up with a company and I actually had to go out
and talk to them and explain my interest. But, a lot of times for projects
like Hennessy or Ikepod, it just sort of happens naturally or they
approach me. It has to make sense to me and the work.”

115. “There’s definitely a connection between my personality and
my artwork. I mean, it’s just sort of the work I’m making at
the time or getting a feel for the kind of the mood I am at
during the time. Like if there are periods in life that are
chaotic, this will be reflected to some degree in my work.”

116. Final thoughts on KAWS?
• Mattia: I wouldn’t consider him a street artist
anymore….he’s more of a designer now.
• Christian: I like him. He uses his art to express his feelings.
• Tenzin: I like his work as well. He was very successful in his
career choices. Very few get to make their art into a
business like this.
• Kendell: He’s almost like a kid....capitalizing on every
opportunity, he’s jumping on everything he finds.
• Moh: He’s an “ideal artist” with an “ideal career.” He’s
doing what he loves, and his work is speaking for him.
• Delani: His designs are cool, but I can’t judge him on his
graffiti.
– Gyaban: His message is “Buy my stuff.”
• Levy: This guy is different from Obey….he sells his work
really exclusively. And he’s not claiming to be some godly
like anti-commercial figure...
• Yeva: Most Graffiti artists aren’t successful like this.
• Benz: He could basically be swapped with any other graffiti
artist we’ve talked about….

117. Final thoughts on KAWS?
• Sarah: <3. He doesn’t just put his work on walls or
streets. He makes objects. He makes THINGS.
• Sakin: He makes clothes as well. Why were we
hating on Obey?? KAWS is doing the same thing.
• Prince: His work puts you in a happy mood. It’s
bright! Since his work is a reflection of what he’s
feeling, I’m not sure what the message he’s
promoting is…other than to be happy.
• Ingrid: You can see a connection between the
artwork and the toy brands. With Obey, there’s less
connections….
• Danisa: We’ve only seen his products, really.
• Promia: His work appeals to me! I like the bright
colors and the style.
• Dest: I like that he’s able to make a living off his art. I
don’t think he’s oblivious to what’s going on. I think
it helps people cope (haha!) with what’s going on.

118. Marco’s KAWS collection…

119. Marco’s KAWS collection…

120. Marco’s KAWS collection…

122. Marco’s KAWS collection…
Delani: I would just sell it. Why would I keep it? All I see is dollar bills that I can
spend.
Tatiana: Art is a really good investment…because it rises in value so quickly.
Moh: I would keep them....it’s really cool to have a work of art....and maybe
when you pass away, you give them to your kids...and then they sell them?
Tatiana: The value is from the NAME, the brand.
Sam: The definition is what someone will pay for something.
Moh: The value is based on the demand as well. The more it’s wanted, the
higher the value. AND, as time increases, the demand may increase as well.
Benz: It’s still his work...the money doesn’t change the integrity of his ideas.
Jenn: The money doesn’t matter. Some art is worth a lot, but it’s not that
super meaningful, or promote strong feelings...there’s a lot of crappy artwork
out there.
Chrsitian: Maybe if you look at the work and see the financial value, you may
find more to look into with his artwork.

123. Marco’s KAWS collection…
Abdul: When we first looked at it, the financial didn’t matter. But because
it’s so much closer to us now….it feels more in your reach and gets us
thinking what you “do” with it.
Danisa: I enjoyed the aesthetics of it, It would look great on a desk. But
there’s like a whole drawer of it...and that’s thousands of dollars.
Artan: Before we knew the FINANCIAL value, we apprecaited it differently.
Also...we KNOW Marco! And some of these are just sitting around...
Julio: Agreed with Artan. I guess if you’re best buddies with an artist...you
might get some free art.

131. Hugo Rojas was born in Mexico City, the second son of Oscar
Rojas and Bertha Godinez. During his early years, he moved to a
small village called Congregación Almoloya in Oaxaca, Mexico,
where he grew up. Hugo Rojas currently lives in New York City
where he has been exploring photography, video and street art as
a means of intervention. His photography has been exhibited in
Mexico, United States and Spain. Hugo currently teaches Spanish
and Media Arts at the Urban Assembly Media High School in New
York City, and is completing his graduate degree in Media Studies

132. Hugo Rojas participated in this the
2012 DUMBO ArtsFest and created a
series of installations inspired by
animals in the wild of New York State.
“This piece aims to revive the real New
Yorkers, creating live visuals of the
animals that lived in this area for
centuries, in the form of moss graffiti,”
says the description on the festival site.
It also says “he has been exploring
photography, video and street art as a
means of intervention”.
https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?
v=4TVJRTG87lo

133. Who are the “real New Yorkers?”
• There’s no such thing! You become a
new yorker…by living in one of the 5
boroughs, eat at a deli 3 times in
your life...and visit times square, and
own Pair of Tims
• Someone who’s born in NY,
• Or RAISED in NY.
• Native Americans
• New York is an attitude. It’s a
constant-energetic-anger.
• Correct use of slang too.
• Deadass, B, etc.
• .
•

134. Who are the “real New Yorkers?”
• Native Americans
• People raised here.
• Someone who owns a metrocard.
• Someone who can sit, smell pee, and
not squirm.
• Someone who can witness a drug
deal?
• Jay Walkers.
• Promia: He’s trying to show that we
need to rehabilitate the city before
humans settled here.
• Adrianna: Even before the native
Americans settled here, this was
WILD LAND. We’ve increasingly
destroyed the wildlife here. There’s
efforts to save these animals, but
we’ve robbed them of their habitats.

135. Final Thoughts??
Tenzin: He’s a genius. I’ve never seen art that
grows out of the wall. Nature’s pretty cool.
Azalea: It’s really creative…he didn’t stick to just
paint and spray cans...he changed it up.
Sam: He’s introspective about how NYers feel
about nature. Most NYers won’t engage with
nature like this…he’s “renaturalizing” the city.
Benz: He’s got me in deep thought...his work
living on the wall and dying on the wall.
Herbert: Before I came to this class I thought Art
was just drawing on paper....I didn’t know this
kind of thing existed. It’s really cool.
Moh: How do you compensate if the moss grows
out of control?
Christian: How’d he come up with the idea??

136. Final Thoughts??
• Artan: He’s not my type of artist. He seems like a
normal person….
• Danisa: He seems too much within reach…
• Aidan: There’s this idea in our generation that rarity
makes things better. I’m not crazy about his art either.
It’s very creative though.
• Ingrid: I imagine it takes so much time and
dedication….we’re downgrading him so much, what’s
up with that?
• Katelyn: This work is something that actually takes
EFFORT.
• Prince: His work is intriguing to me. It discusses issues
that regular people aren’t privy to. Sometimes it’s
easier to talk about things like racism (immediately
affecting us) but not the environment. It’s easy to
ignore that.
• Sakin: His work is really powerful….but if he wasn’t so
available to us…then we may be more attacted to it.

140. Ron English 2011
April Fool’s Day on the Border
OBEY is sometimes viewed as an example of ”culture
jamming,” a tactic used by anti-consumerist social
movements to disrupt or subvert mainstream media
and pop culture. Culture jammers perform acts like….

141. Ron English 2011
April Fool’s Day on the Border
OBEY is sometimes viewed as an example of ”culture
jamming,” a tactic used by anti-consumerist social
movements to disrupt or subvert mainstream media
and pop culture. Culture jammers perform acts like….
Intersectionality
Culture Jamming
Describe a
social problem
in our culture
you would
want to “jam.”