When I first moved to the east-side of Los Angeles, around 5 years ago, I discovered Vice magazine. It was outrageous, smart, funny and it was about the type of people I knew. At one point I actually bought a subscription but, true to their style, it wouldn't always come and when it did it was late. Since then I've opted to pick it up whenever I come across it.
As the years have passed I feel like the quality of the magazine has declined. Maybe it's due to seeing the many Vice books in Urban Outfitters. It's always an interesting experience when something underground evolves into the mainstream. Part of the reason I love underground art, whether it's a magazine, music, or graffiti, is because it's an inside thing. The people that get it are those in the know; like an inside joke between friends.
An artist by the name of Spazmat invaded several Clear Channel electric billboards with his
skullphone graphic this past month. The graphic consisted of 3 skullphones and had several awkward lines of color slashing the design horizontally, making it look distorted/hacked. I, like many, believed he hacked the billboards but Clear Channel has stated that Spazmat purchased the ad. Spazmat has responded vaguely to the accusations. Either way it makes one question why it matters. Do we care about the art because it is underground or do we care about the art because it moves us intellectually and emotionally? I go with the latter but instinctually I want Spazmat to have fucked over Clear Channel (it’s just a personal thing).
(photo from flickr member
monkey_wrench.)
Artistically I think Spazmat has stayed true to his aesthetic of subversive social commentary. After all the
skullphone is a representation of technology and death, which properly reflects the nuisance of eye catching electronic billboards that are meant to captivate drivers. Should Spazmat become known and financially successful bringing such commentary to the general population I would congratulate him. Anyone who can make a living off their art should be congratulated and the people at Vice magazine are no exception. Sure I don’t like video game ads but I still peep the “DOs & DON’Ts” and all those Richard Kern photo spreads. Here are 2 subscription solicitations that are true to Vice form and reflect the style that keeps me looking out for the mag, regardless of how big it gets.
