Hip-hop culture and the term graffiti that emerged from it have long since arrived in the established art world and thus in the art market. It is impossible to imagine contemporary art without the influence of graffiti and the newer term street art has become established in art schools and art institutions. Illegal graffiti has changed the appearance of western cities in equal measure. The movement of writers, globally networked through mobility and the Internet, occupies and characterises public space, following its own criteria and standards.
In their exhibition “Live in Galleries”, Veli Silver & Amos Angeles trace the worldwide spread of the graffiti phenomenon and use their works to provoke a debate about what graffiti is and where this movement is developing or could develop. “Live in Galleries” is both a loving reference to the 40-year history of the urban movement and a provocative and ironic commentary on the graffiti scene itself. The sell-out of youth culture in galleries and advertising agencies is in open contradiction to the self-image of guerrilla culture, which operates illegally and unrecognised. Public space in urban centres is increasingly becoming a contested area. Who is allowed to shape it, appropriate it, commercialise it and where does the vandalism begin?
Veli Silver & Amos Angeles present their first joint exhibition as artist duo Veli & Amos with “Live in Galleries” in all rooms of Perla-Mode. The sculptures, objects, paintings and photographs take up themes from the graffiti scene in a witty and humorous way, while always being poetic and full of love for the subject. The title of the exhibition “Live in Galleries” is an ironic allusion to “Live on the Streets”, the motto of the duo, who find inspiration and material in the streets of cities when travelling together. The two artists paint, film and celebrate “Live on the Streets”. The street is the focal point of the city, a place of encounter and the starting point of their friendship and lifestyle. The street is also a counterpoint to the gallery, which, in contrast to the street, stands for a closed, elitist society.