In a matter of hours, Banksy’s latest piece which was a tribute to London graffiti writer TOX who was recently convicted of criminal damage, had been identified, located, measured, and then boarded up! Presumably, the work was covered to protect Jeffrey’s Street residents from getting a new window chiseled out of their wall for some eBay coin. This is getting ridiculous.

If we grew up hundreds of years ago we probably wouldn’t think of an overpass as a canvas for a piece of art. (In part because there were no overpasses.) However for as long as we can remember, we’ve liked our art like we’ve liked a lot of things in our lives – with a hint of danger and illegality – so we’ve long been fans of what we’ve dubbed The American Graffiti Movement. And, this is our textbook. The History of American Graffiti explores the entire culture of the art form from guys tagging train-cars back in the day to modern day work in cities across the country. Meet all the players in the game and check out some of their best work in this 400 page book. If they taught this in college we probably wouldn’t have gone to just the exams in Art History. $24

Ever wonder what riding the train was like back in the day? Here’s what the Times Square station looked like 25 years ago. The footage was shot with a 16mm film camera in June of ’86, about three years before the MTA officially implemented its “clean train” policy and decided to no longer run subway cars that were littered with graffiti. Whats up with the signs for the “K” and “CC” trains? I  also really thought it was interesting how no one freaked out or questioned why someone was recording in the subway. The simpler times.

A graffiti writer in Brooklyn offers up some advice to fellow vandals and New Yorkers in general from a Williamsburg rooftop. I see this every morning while Im waiting for the M train at the Marcy stop in Williamsburg, and each and everytime, it reminds me to keep on pushing. Graffiti is a really funny thing. People either complain about it, or embrace it and when it is a inspiring quote or touching picture, it can mean so much more.

In a new project by New Orleans’ Candy Chang an abandoned building on Marigny and Burgundy gets some life pumped into it as a public chalkboard. The communal bucket-list now reads: Before I Die I Want To… “DANCE,” “Grow Old,” “Keep living in NOLA” and, our favorite, “be tried for piracey.” Anything that lets the community get involved is always a major hit with us, and this is just another example of how artists can really get the creative juices of the average person flowing. I really need to get on my bucket list. Riding an elephant and drinking snakes blood arent going to just magically happen, ya know?

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Banksy has recently popped up in Hollywood as of late, my guess is because of the Oscars being held on Feb. 27th, in which he is nominated for best documentary for “Exit through the Gift Shop”. I am actually really excited about the Oscars just because of Banksy. The problem the academy is having is they don’t know who he is at all, so they don’t know how to invite him, or not to have him kicked out when he tries to get to his seat, as well as they don’t know who is going to come up and accept the award if he wins. People across the board say he is a shoe in to win the award, but because of the mystery I wonder if he will get shafted to avoid problems, we shall see. (P.S. I am back from Miami so posting will be back to normal HOLLA.)

UPDATE: Banksy takes over a billboard on Sunset Boulevard. Click to enlarge.

UPDATE 2: “Dog Wizz“, spotted on Little Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills. Click to enlarge

An Australian graffiti artist who spends most of his time and effort being kind of an ass, just fired shots… at everyone for his “Street Art Sale” exhibit. From Catholics to fixed gear bikes and some of the world’s most acclaimed graffiti writers and street artists, LUSH’s solo show at the Backwoods Gallery just outside of Melbourne is wildly humorous and critical of just about every facet of hip urban culture. Most of the art is pretty hilarious, but a few pieces are just in bad taste. He made a COPE2 coffin and took a swipe at legendary subway bomber CAP. Banksy and “SPACE INGAYDERS” were not spared either. That fixed gear is also the most alarming thing ever, and since seeing it, my fixie has been put on ebay.

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There’s nothing better than sticking it to THE MAN. The best way in doing this is to broadcast your message to the community on a giant 20 foot billboard. Although these examples don’t show the most artistic graffiti we’ve seen before, they sure make up for creativity and humor.

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Our favorite graffiti artist is back at it again. Renegade British street artist Banksy goes mainstream (sorta) with these opening credits he storyboarded and directed for this week’s episode of The Simpsons. While reiterating something that everyone has already known, it has a great effect of slapping the truth on someone getting ready for 30 minutes of laughter. Banksy wins again.