090214 Observations of 'LOVE' in streetart

'Love' and the heart symbol seem to be an ubiquitous and universal symbol in street art- invariably in any city someone will either swish out a heart or quickly scribble 'love' on a wall. I find that interesting b/c of it's universal message and meaning--it is an entirely harmless critique yet powerfully simple--it's a message that everybody quickly understands and therefore becomes an acceptable street art message--no cop would ever chide anyone for scrawling that on a wall.

The subversive possibility, then, is to take that message and let it become a 'medium' in which to operate in; that is, the artist regardless of the 'message' behind the act works simply through associativity-- the artist becomes 'responsible' for the message.




The two examples we have been working on seem appropriate in this regard. By throwing out grass hearts or ice hands that spell 'L-O-V-E' the artist subverts the inherent symbolism and message of 'Love' and makes in an integral part of the artist's oeuvre. No longer is 'Love' simply another tag or message but becomes a critical theme that plays out in the artwork itself, the symbol becomes the dominant form of communication for the artist. The transient nature of the medium(grass and ice) is a critical move in this regard and plays well with the viewer intending to 'read' or 'interpret' the work itself(i.e: the viewer would make a connection about love not lasting forever as the work itself dies or melts...).