Once upon a time Dr Funky had an opinion

then he realised, oh fuck it, just read some shit I came across the other day


' First up, do you reckon that street art will/can keep its integrity in the future, or will it just be consumed as another commodity by the art market?

Part of it will keep its integrity, that part being the illegal unwanted, confrontational part. The part that is angry that’s disaffected, that believes society needs to be reminded that there’s more to life than endless consumption and believing everything you’re sold. Not everything has a price for some there is more.

What about the relationship between advertising and street art? Agencies using similar techniques and ideas to street art in order to get their product out to the consumer, which are sometimes hard to identify as an advertisements for instance.

The modern market economy sanitises everything and sells it back to us. Counter culture is mass produced on t shirt slogans, on cups, on posters, in adverts; the relationship has been there for as long as there’s been demographic analysis within advertising.

What are the implications when collaboration with brands?

The implication is simple, you sell your inspiration to the highest bidder, it lessens its creditability and begs the question ‘what does it mean, if you’re willing to be a prostitute for the society you’re supposedly critiquing?’

The relationship between galleries and street art is becoming increasingly close. What do you think are the peculiarities when deciding to work with a gallery?

It’s an outlet for your work from which you want to make money. Is it wrong? It depends on what you stand for and whether you choose it as a career or as a passion outside of your paid life.

Beyond doubt, the context of street is what its all about. What happens with this urban context when a show is put up in a gallery?

The context is simple, it’s no longer street, it is contemporary modern art.

All the big auction houses have established proper urban art sales. Is the sale, and financial profit from street art not a bit of a contradiction?

yes

You can buy mugs, bags, posters, canvases, if you’re well off even a wall with a Banksy on… so how does this commercial and consumer hype affect the essence of street art?

It affects the essence of Banksy’s street art, by reducing its message and meaning.

What about the allegations of street art and/or its artists selling out?

Many were always about making profit, you can’t sell out if you were already sold.

Do you think that the artist, as a creative individual gets lost in the whole process?

If all they’re sole aim is money the creative process wasn’t there to begin with.

Being commercial is obviously not the aim of street art, so how can artists work against this phenomenon?

By getting back on the street, getting a shit job they hate and remembering what made them fucking angry.'