Zane and Evolve

Representing San Deigo
ZANE and EVOLVE
Wall
Down Town San Diego

      I was actually invited to see this piece instead of me clumsily stumbling upon it  When I was taking a picture of a throw-up outside of the building, the owner of the boxing gym in front of me invited me to come in a picture the art inside.  He blushed with pride and joy getting to show off his gym.  It was obvious that these walls and the style of graffiti was made to attract and be a new and edgy factor that made his business special.  This graffiti, is a cross between a throw-up and a masterpiece.  It is on the interior of a boxing and Jujitsu studio in down town San Diego.  Since the actual painting is on the inside of a building on the wall, the artist actually painted a street on the wall so that the throw-up would still be in context.  I think it is interesting that the artist chose to recreate an environment within a different one.  He represents the street of San Diego condensed, but then fit his tag/signature spanning the entire city.  It's as if he is proclaiming that there is not a wall big enough that exists in reality to convey how he wants to be recognized.  The history of graffiti started with and has continued to be a way to take ownership over a specific territory.  Although this is not actually on a real street in the middle of down town, it is on a conceptual street that maintains the theme of ownership and pride.  The tag isn't simply painted on a wall, it is literally painted across the sidewalk.  I love that.  It is just over-emphasizing the ongoing theme of demanding recognition.

The piece itself depicts San Diego as beautiful, romantic, and cool.  ZANE and EVOLVE chose to paint this piece at sunset which gives off a purple and pink haze creating a romantic and sensual atmosphere.  The letters are a water blue color that draws attention and gives off an inviting and shadow-like experience.  The stairs wrap around the tag drawing the attention back towards the tag. The boom box in the front shows hip-hop influence and music's relationship with graffiti. For me, I think that the symbols used within the piece are a little bit cliche, but what held my attention was putting street art in an interior space. The throw-up uses shine to finish off the piece nicely making the illusion of reflecting light.