Design
The Social and Economic Roots of Oakland's Graffiti Boom
How the recession and rage against the system are fueling street art.
The streets and walls and signposts of Oakland, California, are the canvas for a recent boom in street art. A new short film from i am OTHER looks at one Oakland graffiti artist's efforts to inject social commentary into the physical landscape and explores how social actions in the city are inspiring this boom.
The artist, who paints faces and writes "GATS" (graffiti against the system), says that his work is aimed at creating an outlet for the underrepresented people and ideas in the city.