The beast, also known as Galería de la Raza’s Digital Mural Project, was tagged again last night. There were two tags: one, the name Kanos, is no big deal. The other, which reads “Yo soy una mierda,” or “I am a shit,” indicates a dramatic shift in tagging mentality. The mural was first defaced sometime before Thursday morning, but was restored that same evening.
The late-night markers have become docents, their tag a manifestation of their desire to help explain Spencer’s work. Many of us in the neighborhood have been bewildered by the same question: Just what is that image?
Some call it a potato, a frijol or an immigrant, but for Spencer Keeton Cunningham, the artist behind the piece, it’s a picture of a beast, a symbol of evil huddled over a glowing crucifix.
“To me, the mural is about the false, grandiose notions of Christian/Catholic myth and the effects these notions have on the moldable minds of consumers of them, both historically and in present-day society,” he said.
The taggers, or as I would like to call them now, the Bryant Street Docents, offered a clearification of the image. Actually, their artistic interpretation was distilled into one simple tag; evidently they have voiced their ideas in the first person from the perspective of the image.
Cunningham knows that defacement is part of the experience of being a mural artist. “It’s expected that kids will tag anything,” he said after the mural was first tagged. “I’m not shocked or surprised or even upset.”
Seriously, I hope the marks can be cleaned up before the show opening tonight at Galería de la Raza. The mayor will be attending.
George Lipp is a contributor to Mission Local.
Wow. My opinion differs from the commenters above. I think Spencer Keeton Cunningham’s work is really original and unique. When put in the context of his body of work especially. If you (art 1) had half the talent you would spend your time making art and not aiming negativity at hard working artists and complaining on the internet
Just because you don’t like something does not mean you should deface it. Every artist has a right to his or her expression. Who ever is doing this should go get there on wall somewhere else. I thought this was San Francisco!
As for the taggers trying to express themselves, give me a break, this is vandalism.
i gave the artist the benefit of the doubt and checked out his body of work to put this mural into context.
i can clearly see like 5 artists he directly stole from in everyone of his pieces. not an original image in his head, some people just want to be an artist but just dont have original thoughts or true creativity. he is an example of this.
Some people just want to be artists? Sounds like your speaking about yourself. Cunningham has more creative originality then you will ever hope to possess. Do your homework. He has been creating great works of art and showing in galleries nationally and internationally for over 10 years
Perhaps this mural space should be a place where the artist plans on tags as being part of the work’s evolution.
Seems the taggers want/need to feel able to express themselves here. (sigh)
Some people just want to be artists? Sounds like your speaking about yourself. Cunningham has more creative originality then you will ever hope to possess. Do your homework. He has been creating great works of art and showing in galleries nationally and internationally for over 10 years
I think the “i am a shit” tag is absolutely hilarious and adds to the work.
in my humble and totally unqualified opinion, all the tags the last one in particular combine with all of your comments to make the work. Thanks and stay involved.
It seems most taggers leave murals alone as a rule. I’m not so sure this is a case of taggers being docents as much as critics.
Juan and Kp: Whether I like this installation or not is beside the point. It seems that you would deny me and others the chance to enjoy something simply because you don’t like it. I am certain that you wouldn’t paint an X through a work of art in a museum simply because it did not appeal to you. Your attitude is extremely selfish and denigrating to the opinions of others.
Whether I like it or not doesn’t really matter. The mural is BAD. There’re plenty of amazing artists in the city that could do a way better job.
@Juan: Real talk!
George,
If I throw my pooh on a Valencia st. Wall, can you do an artical on me too? Why is the city supporting such a shitty artist? There are many great artists out there that don’t know how to promote themselves. We should help these artists!
Paint over this crap and make spencer Cunningham go back to art school !
Great comments! I hoped my article was about the interaction between the mural and folks like you. I am no art critic so commenting on the merit of Spenser’s work is beyond me. However, I do know that the poo on Valencia concept has been executed. I am certain that, in time, the mural will be replaced by another. If you have some ideas drop by Galleria de la Raza and let them know what you would like to see. I know they would really welcome your input. Help your friends get the space. It is great to hear your thoughts.
i am 4th generation from the mission. My family lives directly across the street. I think this character who thinks she is an artist should go back to kentucky. Also who gives a cr-p if the mayor is attending.
Who cares how long your family has lived here? No one cares.
The mural is the ugliest piece of shit and it totally deserved to be tagged as such. I’m not a “kid” as they assume here, I’m an adult and I would probably do the same thing if I came across that “painting” and had a marker in hand. Besides “frijole” is not a word, not in Spanish at least. The singular of “frijoles” is “frijol” the same way the singular of “tamales” is “tamal” not “tamale.”
Thanks for the grammatical correction and comments. Obviously, Spanish isn’t in my list of spoken or written languages. I always give it a try even if I spell Frijol like Dan Quayle spelled Potato. It is important to get such things right. I didn’t. I apologize. As for Spencer’s work I don’t fully understand it either. The mural on Bryant street is consistent with his other works. http://spencercunningham.com/ This mural is part of a series of “urban art” work sponsored by whitewalls a gallery in the tenderloin. http://www.whitewallssf.com/pages.php?t=about I really appreciate your comments and corrections. I’m not a kid either glad to see kindred spirit expressing opinion.
I made a mistake the work is sponsored by The Luggage Store Gallery and the “streetopia” Project http://www.luggagestoregallery.org/2012/04/streetopia/
Not Whitewalls. Sorry for the incorrect reference.