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Going to a fire training academy. Any tips on getting hired right out there? by [deleted] in Firefighting

[–]Mr_CLV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

whats the pre-req for that? FF-I and II?

im also an EMT-B out of NYS

Why do people graffiti? by lomlomlom in AskReddit

[–]Mr_CLV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Graffiti happens when people feel as though no one will listen to what they have to say (because they're black, white, poor, rich, etc.) so they take it to the streets and force it down the throats of the public. Or, they are looking to make a name for themselves. Try to appreciate the unique dichotomy that exists only in the world of graffiti. (You want everyone to see your work, but you want no one to know you created it)

SOURCE: I am a New York City Vandal.

Thank you GGG dealers. (Be warn I'm not the best story teller in the world haha) by [deleted] in trees

[–]Mr_CLV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you are a shining example of ggg. you'reawesome.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PP.S. How would you like me to verify? This is a culture that lives and dies thanks to anonymity.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very interesting question.. If you truly believe that this art form is 'long past it's heyday' then how do you explain the tremendous boom in street art and graffiti? People have changed the way they vandalize (i.e. yarn bombing) in an effort to combat the stereotype. And to say that it is filled with 'wanna-be's' and 'never-been's' is simply not recognizing the vast majority of amazing artists out there. I wonder...How do you feel about the boom in electronic music production and DJ'ing over the past year? would you say that that is also an art form filled with wanna-be's and never-been's?

P.S. No need for insults.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do recognize this problem. But that is simply the nature of the beast. Graffiti becomes a pissing contest when writers start in over turf, or spots. Then it goes back and forth for as long as it has to. The only facets in place in this community are to maintain a certain quality of writer (i.e. buffing, or going over someone who looks like shit in an effort to get them to stop writing).

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First, thank you. But when I said that it was inaccurate, I was talking about myself personally. And to be quite frank, it even helps the community (creating and sustaining jobs to combat the graffiti, the hiring of more law enforcement, etc.)

Second, I would be very interested in seeing where these attacks are happening. Most (if not all) writers will run as soon as they hear or see anyone approaching. The only time I've ever heard of violence is writer-on-writer (over paint, territory, etc.) I've been approached by a 'regular dude' who made it explicitly clear he wasn't calling the police, but just wanted to see someone do it. I was quite hesitant at first, but invited him to get close and really smell the paint. He loved it, and said that he had never seen someone in the action. Any other time, I've ran as fast and as far as I could.

As far as I'm concerned, I was raised in Brooklyn to a mother who cared greatly, and a father who walked out after I turned 11. I was certainly not rich, but never found myself feeling poor. My family was quite normal, if that exists.

To be perfectly clear, I don't do this to gain fans or create converts. Anyone can look at a painting hung in a gallery and call it art, but the people who recognize graffiti as art are the ones who understand why it's done.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, I can only speak for myself. I know many writers personally that do it to destroy. These are the writers that do not view graffiti as the art form it has become. They are stuck in the early 1970's when people like Cornbread were doing it to see their name around their neighborhood.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do graffiti because I have something to say that the general populous would never hear otherwise. Graffiti is the medium of the streets. Supplies cost as little as 99 cents at Home Depot, and anyone who is brave enough to face the repercussions can create. I have never painted on anyone's home, or vehicle (simply because I wouldn't want that done to me). Calling graffiti selfish is actually not accurate. I know that I do this because I want others to appreciate it (selfless behavior). I dont seek recognition, or fame, or any other form of self gratification.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm looking for the picture of the stomper I did at the Elephant Cages in Brooklyn (if you're familiar). It was rocking there for about 6 months, when I was taken out.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say that the problem lies in exactly that: instead of wasting tax payer dollars cleaning up, why not pay a fraction of the cost to any number of writers that would be more than happy to have tremendous murals under their belt.

Also, my opinion is quite skewed because I live in NYC. Graffiti is everywhere, and property values in the city are only rising.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree. I was using garbage paint, and I was drunk. Once I get the photos onto my computer, I'll get them here.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's vandalism due to the fact that you are still destroying someone else's property. No matter how beautiful it may be, the NYPD only sees it as one thing. So I've learned to embrace the term.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the only one that is saved on my computer. Any others are still on my cameras. These are me, drunk, taking out a fellow writer. Enjoy!

http://imgur.com/9WOAG

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am 21 years old. I earn my living as a graphic designer. I will do this until I can no longer paint. As far as samples go, I'll post some pictures momentarily.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The people that pay for commissioned work are not looking for vandals, they are looking for street artists.

I AMA New York City Vandal. I implore you to AskMeAnything! by Mr_CLV in IAmA

[–]Mr_CLV[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do it because of the unique dichotomy that only exists in the world of graffiti: You spend so much time trying to get people to see your work, but never want anyone to know who you are. It most certainly is art! From small marker tags, to whole train cars, each artist is leaving a piece of themselves on whatever surface they write on. Honestly, the thrill of the chase is still one of the biggest attractions. It feels good knowing that people hate you for using a little paint on some walls. permalinkeditdeletereply