The camera shows some more works and thoughts of various artists in different situations, cultures and countries. Some people regard it as vandalism but graffiti is ephemeral as it is immediately clear when its found. Graffiti artists are always on the run from police. What is the reason why they are particular about the streets even though it’s dangerous? What kinds of values exist there? This insists not only the meaning of the art but also what do we really mean by freedom in our society?

Hisashi Tenmyouya, an artist, explained graffiti in Japan using the example of Kyosai Kawanabe, a painter in the Edo period. Hisashi said, “Kyosai is an old graffiti artist, and he was arrested as a political criminal. Even though he belonged to a very central and traditional art group, Kanoha, he created Ukiyoe which was regarded as street art at that time.” Hisashi also claimed that graffiti is a belief oriented towards resisting conservative tendencies in society, not just writing a “tag” on the wall. And it is an egoism as a graffiti writer just writes his or her name in order to mark and assert their own territory. Without the awareness of other peoples’ eyes and their consciousness, graffiti would be just seen as vandalism. Aside from graffiti being considered evil or not, the most important thing is if people are moved by it.

Inside/Outside
[2005 / Denmark / 57 min]
Director: Andreas Johnsen
Featuring: Zevs, Swoon, KR, Earsnot, Ron English, Os Gemeos, Pigmeus, Adams & Itso
Production: Rosforth
https://www.rosforth.com