KCET brings legit graffiti art to your TV screens

L.A. Free Walls (credit: KCET)

Later today is the second chance to see Niche.LA's graffiti documentary following "Art Battle LA." Tune into KCET at 1.30pm today (or on Weds 5th Sept. at 12am midnight) if you are in the Southern/Central California region.

The Los Angeles vs. London graffiti face-off took place in May 2012 and is brought to the TV screen by KCET’s "Open Call" TV arts and culture series. Read more about the battle in my earlier posts here and here.





The BritWeek sponsored competition is the subject of Eric Heights' documentary as he follows two of Los Angeles' graffiti pioneers, Mear One and Man One, during a week together painting murals all over the city. They are joined by Inkie and Eine, household names from England. The tour was organized by LA Freewalls to support Hollywood Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to helping emancipated foster children living in the streets by teaching them employable arts skills.

“I wanted this documentary to reflect the new generation of artists emerging through graffiti art culture with a compassionate narrative structure that brings exclusive discussions on modern street art to a new audience.” Eric Heights, director.

Art Battle LA premiered on August 30th, 2012 on KCET, but will be repeated Sept. 3rd at 1:30PM and Sept. 5th at 12AM PST.

Over-The Air 28.1
Charter 309
Time Warner 412
DirecTV 28
Dish Network 28
AT&T U-verse 1028

Mear, Eine and Inkie paint West Hollywood (May 2012)

I saw this video on I Wuz Here (First's) blog. My man Inkie painting with Ben Eine and LA's finest, Mear One, back in May during BritWeek cultural events.

Mear One is currently part of the West Coast Artist's group show at the Mirror Films Gallery in Chinatown. The show runs until July 10th, 2012. See my earlier post for more info.

LA's West Coast Artist group show

Mirror Gallery, 2012

When I first arrived in Los Angeles I noticed some graffiti crew affiliations clearly marked in the graffiti stronghold of Melrose Avenue alleys.

They would read "CBS," "Seventh Letter"...but I didn't realize how many of my favorite artists were down with West Coast Artists, aka WCA...Cartoon, Cre8, Make, Mear, Kofie, Retna.

Once exception is Risk. At his Robert Bergman show in 2008 he dedicated one whole wall to his history with West Coast Artists crew, including the world graffiti championship trophy won in Bridlington, England in 1989! If you ever see Inkie from the UK - go ask him about that battle.

Risk solo show, Robert Bergman Gallery, 2008

Last Saturday's group show at The Mirror Films Gallery showed how strong the crew's ties are. Read this LA Weekly blog for a short, but interesting read up on the crew and the show.

For great info on the artists featured in the show check out Mirror's store. You can also see if anyone has bid for your favorite pieces...$10,000 for a Risk mixed media installation, anyone?

Snap, snap  Here are a selection of pictures I took from the opening night of the WCA show in Chinatown (which has had an injection of cool recently!)

West Coast Artists group show runs until July 10th, 2012.

Mirror Gallery, 963 Chung King Road, Chinatown.
Open Mon-Fri noon to 6 p.m., or by appointment