Gods Art or Satans Graffiti?

January 22, 2012









Gods Art or Satans Graffiti?

I came across this photo somewhere on the internet and found it humorous on many levels and I thought that it somehow ties in with the two wonderful art openings that I attended this week during the monthly Walk on White Street gallery stroll. The question was obviously meant as a witty insight into the type of spirituality pitting good members of the Victory church’s flock against those who may stray from the good path as well as non-members who might be heading for the darker path of Satan’s Graffiti.



Michael & Marta's piece



Among the many problems that I have with the sign is the assumption that there is a difference between art and graffiti (whether created by a deity, a respected artist or some kid with a can of spray paint). The two shows opening simultaneously at the Studios of Key West and Art Space lead me to think that the differences assumed by the members of the church (or at least of their sign maker) don’t really exist and that art is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Elena



The first show was the annual member exhibition at the Studios of Key West. I was particularly interested in this show because my mother, Marta Blades, became a member of the Studios when she last visited in November and had a piece featured in the show. The show was themed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building Flagler’s railroad, which ran from Miami to Key West until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935.





Marta created a cool piece to commemorate the railroad and it was displayed in the main gallery along with works from a wide variety of TSKW members of various levels of experience. It is a cool show all around and there is plenty of diversity and quality to interest most art lovers. The show is up throughout January, so you may still have a chance to check it out if you are in Key West.

Marky & Michael





Erin & Liz

If the more traditional art at the Studios leaned toward the holy, then the show at Art Space that featured Graffiti, Tattoos and Pop Art was the devil’s playground. The show highlighted a totally different yet certainly related style of art. It was awesome and one of the central featured artists was the mysterious creator of the Key West Blob- a street art creature that has been popping up through-out the lower Keys in recent months.











Art Space had a number of the creations for sale and even auctioned off some as well. The pieces were in high demand and many among the throng that attended were there specifically to see the blobs. It was especially cool to see so many young children at an art opening- something about the blob really appeals to them. Guess I am a kid at heart cause I love them as well.







Cayman

I actually enjoyed almost all of the work featured at the Art Space show, there was a youthful excitement in the work and a hipness that did not seem manufactured in the slightest. It was a fun show, with great artists and hipster patrons who have made their openings become the happening place to be. Their next show seems likely to appeal to the naughty minions of satan as well as it will feature Erotic art, opening just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 9th. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next, though I imagine that there won’t be a flock of children at that show.





Jolly & Sherry