I have never written on a bathroom wall. I have never thought to write on a bathroom wall. Though it's probably just a handful of prolific scribblers, I feel like the minority. I'm practically immune to it at this point and rarely bother to read the unsolicited advice and conversations found on public's most private walls. But a few watchful Flickr users have taken the time to read — and document — the best writing on the stalls.
Seeing people on the move inspires me to get up and go, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words; murals and graffiti depicting running or cycling have the same effect. I am easily moved. Here is a small collection of "public" art, some sanctioned, some not, that should help motivate you to get physical.
Flickr Users drexler and Boris van Hoytema
Who knew that some graffiti artists are also incredibly handy with a brush? Well, apparently graffiti art supplies boutique Shriiimp did, because they've got body painters and graffiti creators around the country working on a project called Graffiti on Girls (site has some NSFW images). It's an interesting fusion of two types of art that aren't usually considered gallery-worthy (and are usually an offense courts can prosecute the artist for). They may not be Banksy originals, but many of the images produced are stunning in their own right, and the use of color is amazing. In the interest of gender equity, we'd like to see Graffiti on Guys, too.
This month, at Paris's trade interior design show Maison & Objet, UK designer Andrew Martin, who's known for his Union Jack motif furniture, showed off some other, bold prints, including this chair upholstered in designer Martin Waller’s new God Bless America fabric.
Martin and Waller aren't the first (or the last) designers to jump on the typography and graffiti bandwagon. There are a lot of really great interior design finds out there right now that display words, graffiti, or a combination of both. So, let's go Trend Hunting!
Here's how it works. First, join my group Trend Hunting. Then, when you track down a cool graffiti or typography product, bookmark it and tag it with the phrase Wordy Home Finds, and then save it in the Trend Hunting group. You can read this post for full directions on how to start your Trend Hunting mission, and here's a detailed explanation of bookmarks from GeekSugar.
Now that Carlos Falchi's daughter Kate is all done with school — she graduated Trinity University and Parsons The New School For Design — she's joining his team. First task? Helping her dad design the Graffiti Collection consisting of six bags and a few small leather goods. Retailing from $395 to $1,195, the line will make its debut on Sept. 10 at Bergdorf Goodman during Fashion’s Night Out. Twenty-five-year-old Kate's graffiti is a result of listening to music with pops, who once designed clothes for rockers like Miles Davis, Mick Jagger, and Jerry Garcia. I can't wait to see what father and daughter dream up next.
Inspired by the wealth of random bathroom graffiti on Flickr, I invited you all to share some of the best writing on the stall you've spotted. Some are clever, some are just plain random, but they all made me laugh out loud. Here are six of my faves.
Anonymous in the age of celebrity and making artwork with social commentary while other artists cash in, graffiti artist Banksy has intrigued audiences with his art and identity since he began stencilling/vandalizing public property in the early '90s. (No official image of the guy exists!) Known for installing his own work surreptitiously in museums, Banksy helped mount a surprise exhibit in his hometown — Banksy versus Bristol Museum. The exhibit is supposed to be Banksy's way of thanking Bristol for giving his street art its first canvas.
Remember I mentioned I used to be a hip-hop princess in high school? Well, check it. Here is the intro scene of the TV show Graffiti Rock. It appears to be super cheese, but it had some hip-hop heavyweights like the New York City Breakers, Run DMC, Special K, and Kool Moo Dee in it so it was "crazy fresh." And it has a young Debi Mazar showing her hip-hop style and groovy moves. Gotta love funky fresh host Michael Holman. Keep your eyes on the hilarious background dancers, too. There are no words, except fresh, to describe it. Get ready to smile.
