All Over Albany

I don't know, but i love it!

... said derryX on Jun 21, 2011 at 2:16 PM | link

That's not considered graffiti?

... said Ron on Jun 21, 2011 at 3:12 PM | link

@Ron - that's considered awesome.

... said ethan on Jun 21, 2011 at 3:20 PM | link

There's at least one attached to a pole in the Colonie Center parking lot. I noticed it the other day and recognized the character, but no idea what it would signify.

... said Alex on Jun 21, 2011 at 3:24 PM | link

They're also all over Troy.

... said Kevin Marshall on Jun 21, 2011 at 4:06 PM | link

It's not nostalgia. It's vandalism.

... said Ronaldo on Jun 21, 2011 at 4:18 PM | link

Love these. Keep them coming.

... said Josh on Jun 21, 2011 at 4:45 PM | link

I dont know if its really vandalism. It seems like many of them just start to peel right off after a few weeks of getting wet and dried again. Ive noticed a few peeling and actually peeled it right off to add it to my own collection. I dont care what its for, I love it.

... said RR on Jun 21, 2011 at 7:42 PM | link

I actually met the guy doing these on St. Patricks Day. He sold me a shirt with the same character on it. Hes a really nice dude and much older for someone who you think goes out at night doing street art. I get stopped quite a bit by people asking where I got the shirt from since they have seen the image throughout Albany. We didnt talk long but from what I gathered, he doesnt even consider himself a street artist but just does it for the enjoyment of those who who can make a connection to it. He mentioned that it was nice to see some of the real street artists in the city like the NSK crew and MELEE and a few others really going strong. I personally love his work and hope to see more.

... said Shawn on Jun 21, 2011 at 8:06 PM | link

Here's one I saw over by Brown's Taproom a few weeks ago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mstyne/5726884629/

... said mstyne on Jun 21, 2011 at 9:47 PM | link

I suppose art is always in the eye of the beholder. From these two pictures I can't say this looks like what I would call "art" -- street or otherwise. Just another cartoonish figure that says nothing to me. They don't even appear to be well executed. Glad to read that the creator doesn't consider himself a street artist...but doesn't that just mean this is purely graffiti?

... said BobF on Jun 22, 2011 at 9:24 AM | link

Anything can be art, have you seen some of the junk they have at the Empire Plaza? whoever this person is, they are making people happy, like "r" who posted this says. Some people may ask "why?"....but why not?

... said roscoe on Jun 22, 2011 at 9:41 AM | link

It's not like you can make those traffic light switching boxes uglier. I appreciate when someone picks a good target for decals and stencils instead of, say, the mỹ Linh sign which is just constantly tagged or slapped with USPS stickers. Personal aesthetics are immaterial; I thought the statues in the last round of sculpture in the streets were ghastly but I understand that it's an attempt at beautification.

Be prepared to see a lot more in this vein leading up to and after Living Walls.

... said B on Jun 22, 2011 at 10:03 AM | link

I'm pretty sure it's a Banksy, dude.

... said legitimate street art on Jun 22, 2011 at 1:10 PM | link

here's a thought for your fickle brains:
art and graffiti are not mutually exclusive.
it doesn't have to be one OR the other.

it's both.

... said andrew on Jun 22, 2011 at 1:10 PM | link

@legitimate street art Surely that was pure sarcasm. Banksy IS street art, this...not so much. There is only one similarity that I see...they both use stencils. But then I am not a computer game player, don't go to superhero movies, or watch cartoons, which are three themes that this 'art' evokes for me...so take my opinion as it is given, just that, an opinion.

@B I agree about that last round of statues in the streets all the more because they were not created locally

@andrew I see your point but argue that street art is more than tagging (which is graffiti to me)...ugly scribbles with a spray paint can or pasting up some bland cartoon character do not make art any more than my feeble attempts to use a brush and paints on canvas make art. I suppose for some even street art (by my definition) would still be graffiti by theirs.

... said BobF on Jun 22, 2011 at 1:29 PM | link

@andrew: agreed, but on the other hand, is this piece really that original? I feel like 8-bit graffiti has been covered pretty extensively by Invader. Then again, there are only few instances of real, completely original art; nothing wrong with inspiration, derivatives and/or tributes.

... said -S on Jun 22, 2011 at 1:42 PM | link

well whatever you wanna call it...hes sitting somewhere while you all talk about him...id say mission accomplished on his part

... said R on Jun 22, 2011 at 3:22 PM | link

I don't know how many people saw it, but the Times Union reported on the yarn bomb in Troy (and identified the bomber!):

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Popular-DIY-trend-bombs-region-1432573.php

I found the quote from the Troy PD to be interesting and may be relevant to this discussion:

"While technically vandalism, yarn bombing is largely ignored by most police departments.

As long as it does not deface the property and the property owner does not offer a complaint, no criminal measures will be taken, said Captain John Cooney, a Troy police department spokesman.

"If the city owns the property and we like it," he said, "we'll keep it.""

My $0.02 on stencil art: It's fun, usually adds some humor to my day, is a creative outlet for the person involved, is not permanent, and eventually goes away on its own. Therefore, I don't see a problem with it.

... said Jessica R on Jun 22, 2011 at 3:32 PM | link

I've had a few sightings, one outside the Masonic Temple on Corning Place and one inside of a porta-potty at Tulip Fest.

... said Mike Len on Jun 22, 2011 at 3:39 PM | link

When I came home from work today I noticed one on a "no parking" sign near my apartment. weird. It's funny, who cares if its art or not.

... said Roscoe on Jun 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM | link

Lest you all forget why we're here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w20incys4tg

... said Dontforgetabobo on Jun 23, 2011 at 4:04 AM | link

To say it's not art is a very narrow definition of art. Of course it is, by its nature, subjective. But the singular instance of this stenciling isn't the art. It's the repetition, placement, project as a whole, reaction of the populace, and what it says about our relationship and reverence with nostalgia that, all together, compromise the whole of the piece. It's a concept that's been explored before through various other methods.

The manner in which those saying it's "not art" are doing so, both in this thread and elsewhere, betrays an arrogance and ignorance that's not only unbecoming, but appalling.

In other words, sssshhhh. Adults are talking.

... said Kevin Marshall on Jun 24, 2011 at 12:01 PM | link

@ Kevin Marshall - Thank you for putting it in a way that even these simpleminded folks can understand. I dont see how someone can complain about street art like this when just about every corner in Albany is covered with illegal advertisements (1800 Got JUNK?), ugly garage sale signs, or a countless number of other postings that look like crap. Those things even have a contact number so if the police were so serious about vandalism, why not call these numbers and ticket them for defacing a telephone pole or street corner post. But no, they dont. But god forbid someone put up a small piece of art for the enjoyment of others. So Bob...grow up...or move to the town from "Footloose".

... said JR on Jun 24, 2011 at 12:38 PM | link

Kevin, who are you even talking to?

The only person close to claiming it's not art is BobF, and he says "I can't say this looks like what I would call 'art'...", it's very clear he's simply voicing an opinion and not making a blanket statement that it's not art.

BobF happens to be a good artist himself, I don't see him taking an unconsidered view, let's not condescend to him for being outspoken and honest while engaging opposing viewpoints, hm? It's a lot more interesting to have the "what is art" conversation without calling people arrogant and ignorant children.

Maybe this elsewhere you're talking about has people flatly claiming "not art" but I don't see those links. You're free to join in the conversation that's actually happening here, though.

... said B on Jun 24, 2011 at 1:33 PM | link

B - Yes to BobF, but moreso to the guy who called it vandalism. Also, I think you're the last one to lecture anyone on condescension (and speaking of arrogance).

... said Kevin Marshall on Jun 24, 2011 at 4:20 PM | link

Thanks Bob F.
Yuck, this stuff is not what I'd call thought provoking "art". Remember, it's MY Opinion. It reminds me of a 9 year olds project in a writer notebook.This robotic stencil... it says nothing about art in my opinion. its a 70's ish robot. EW. If you have to "get your art out" to show your untalent and "exhibit" b/c no one will show your work just to pump our own ego then, get the message already. Its a stenciled robot.

... said D on Jun 30, 2011 at 9:15 AM | link

Who said anything about thought provoking? If something needs to be thought provoking to be considered art then kill me now please. D and Bob F sound like old men who paint sail boats in their attic and just hate on everything else. And also it is NOT a robot, its one of the bad guys from the old NES game Double Dragon. So know your stuff before you get all "as a matter of fact" on us. But even if it was your own analysis, it is actually quite a compliment. Id be stoked if someone described my work as something from the 70's in a 9 year olds notebook. Id say thats pretty rad myself. So you go on painting whatever it is you would consider "thought provoking art" and let this guy do his thing. I dont know who you are ABOBO but I love seeing your stuff.

... said Alex on Jul 1, 2011 at 10:31 AM | link

ya know i have seen these starting down in new york city also. some on 6th avenue, brooklyn and on a subway train

i think its pretty cool. it makes the neighborhoods look more fun with a classic video game refernce while not taking away from or destroying the community.

... said jim on Aug 31, 2011 at 5:16 PM | link