Shot and directed by Brett Novak and commissioned by The Halsey
Institute of Contemporary Art in South
Carolina on the ocassion of "The Insistent Image: Recurrent Motifs in the Art of Shepard
Fairey and Jasper Johns."
In the twelve minute video Shepard discusses his influences and
inspirations which are pretty much spot on with anyone involved in this type of
graphic art. Skateboarding, punk rock, pop culture, re-appropriation, graffiti etc…
Shepard most certainly bears his influences for all to see but
sometimes I get kinda bummed out that it’s all so deeply rooted in the 80’s and
90’s. There are plenty of groundbreaking things going on nowadays, maybe we
should all let the proven but very, very, very tired and overused imagery of Black Flag, The Clash, Public Enemy, Johnny Cash and more be set to rest already and begin
championing the next generation of audio visual inspirations. I love the work, I have since the 90’s and
will continue to, but there is nothing
more depressing to me than the “guy” who still listens to and loves all the
same things he did as when he was in highschool making claims that art and music aren't as good now as they were back in the day.
