:: see the first photo below for a recent throw-up by Shanghai’s most prolific and probably most talented graffiti writer Mr. Lan. Does anyone recognize the other pieces / tags? If so, please let me know in the comments section. These photos were taken by fifty 5-reader Roach C. in Shanghai near the Anshan Xicun subway station. Thanks for sending them my way Roach C. // AjS
:: I came across this video, titled Beijing£ showcasing a Chinese “marker graffiti” artist doing pieces across several large-print photographs and canvases. The video is excellent as is the artist’s work, the problem is, I can’t seem to find any information about either.
I have also posted two related photos below that I found on this nondescript, UK-based blog. The photos appear to be stills from the video, or at least showing work done by the same artist (or crew perhaps?) as the tags match: Hong Kong Walled City and Syan. Does anyone have any more information about this artist / crew or video? If so, please kindly comment below or send me an email at: 56 minus 1 at gmail dot com. Many thanks. // AjS
:: mr. lan (张岚) has long been my favorite graffiti writer in Shanghai, perhaps China. See below for a sampling of works he painted over the past year or so. Also, click here for a Danwei TV video featuring Mr. Lan. The video also features two other well-known Shanghai writers, Popil and HKR. “The City Needs You.” Bravo, well done. // AjS
:: Danwei TV presents episode 4 of The Shanghai Beat, titled “Graffiti Shanghai” (with bilingual subtitles). You can also watch on Tudou (faster loading / higher quality in China).
For this episode, 56minus1 (Adam Schokora / 小石) meets up with three of Shanghai’s best known graffiti artists: Popil, Zhang Lan (AKA: Mr. Lan), and HKer, to get their inside perspective on the local graf scene and catch them in action painting a few pieces.
After the show, stay tuned for a musical performance by 21 Grams, a Shanghainese experimental post-rock band whose introspective music is largely inspired by their passion for film (featured band courtesy of www.Neocha.com).
