The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal2001

When I first saw the title of this film I was highly skeptical. How on earth could something like graffiti removal be considered art? Well, how wrong I was! The accidental parallels to legit modern art, as well as the ways of classifying graffiti removal is actually quite interesting. It's only a few moments of your time, and you'll never look at those grey squares on the sides of buildings quite the same way again!

I'm so excited to see this again. I recall seeing this screened at Rezfest in San Francisco many years ago. It's incredibly engaging and quite funny in the ernest delivery. It feels like a mocumentry at times but honestly, is it? Watch a relive the critical theory discussions of yesterday!

So happy to have finally seen this short documentary after hearing about it for so long. It can definitely stand multiple viewings as the discussion it brings up is both important and a fun one to have. And a really nice glimpse at contemporary but also a dated Portland.

As a longtime admirer of buff patches, I enjoyed this both as a serious examination of the specific phenomenon, worthy of artistic attention, and as a slightly less convincing but still provocative presentation of the whole idea of "subconscious art". I only wish it had taken itself a bit more seriously and put a little more life and genuineness in to the probably intentionally self-parodying voiceover. No matter; this film is still pretty much the secret key to appreciation of the urban environment.

I love this film. the street's are deserted, there is vast blank surface' in an industrial area,inviting graffiti. The city crews covering up the nocturnal manifesto's create something new. The outlaws and the law enforcers collaborate unconsciously. If we look as we cycle on a sunday afternoon the new work is revealed.

I love this.

I love the reframing of graffiti removal as art, very subversive. I love the reframing of power implicit in that. I love the passion for art and the insistence that all humans are creative, artistic. I love the tongue in cheek fact that this was funded by Portland.

I love the bleakness that is portrayed...though it saddens me (and perhaps this was the intent) that we must look to the removal of art in industrial spaces to find art. The covering of the human spirit to see the human spirit...think it speaks to the strength of spirit and inherent resistance in all forms.

I thought I was the only one who saw those blocks of paint in that way!

Great idea (I love to document graffiti in my photography), but annoying to watch. A bit to dry for me.

gah so good!!!!

I just enjoyed "The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal" on Fandor and I think you'll tolerate it.

Not entirely convinced of the artistic value of graffiti removal, but it was thought provoking.