What is the project about?

„Street Messages“ is the first book, that will present the world-wide scene of artists, who  exclusively work with texts, poems or slogans in public space. It will show the history of the written word in public space since the beginning of mankind and it’s importance until today.

Since the beginning of the history of mankind, human-beings have written or painted their living environment or thoughts on walls. Whether it had been ancient cave-paintings, where mostly animals have been depicted or the giant reliefs by the Mayans or Egyptians, where whole stories are being told. Political campaigns have written their slogans on walls throughout the whole history and called for resistance or criticised deficits in society. 

Today huge billboards with advertising and empty messages are dominating the image of our streets, but there are many artists who leave their personal, philosophical, lyrical or political texts. Whole cities decorate their facades with poems and political organisations use the methods of graffiti and the advertising industry to spread their messages to a wider audience.

The book “Street Messages” will be released by Dokument Press from Sweden at the end of 2014 (most likely in spring 2015) and will be accompanied by a website or a facebook-page to continue to publish the communication in public space even after the release of the book. The website will give an opportunity to present current works in the internet and the book will be the root for it. 

For this reason, we are already asking for your kind support today to fully realise the project without any borders. 

"Street Messages“ is the first book that portrays artists from all around the world, who work with texts in the streets. By nature, artists from countries with a long graffiti tradition will be highlighted, but the light also goes to countries that have been partly neglected during the graffiti boom. Countries such as Bangladesh, Singapore, Nepal or Israel will find their place as well as countries like Lebanon, Egypt or Yemen where graffiti and written messages play an important role in the resistance against the suppressive regimes.

Nicholas is an author, who is putting his heart, love and full attention into each of his projects to realise a deep presentation that is preferred by him. For this reason we kindly ask for you support to help realising this project in all it’s depth.

What is the aim?

The aim of the project is to finalise the book with almost 150 to 200 pages. The research for the book is almost finished and the representatives of this art-form have been contacted and they already sent in a good amount of images and material. Currently Nicholas is negotiating with different publishers for the release of the book. The layout and the writing of the texts will start in January 2014. 

After a successful funding of the project, author and photographer Nicholas will go on the necessary research-travels from March 2014 onwards to gather the last material with his camera and to interview the remaining artists and people. After his return, the book will be designed and finalised.

Why should you support this project?

Currently there is no book, that is presenting the written word in public space in such depth. No other book is portraying the representatives and historic backgrounds in such an extend. “Street Messages” will be the first book about graffiti and street art that documents the artistic story of mankind. Countless archaeological findings that date back to 40,000 BC give a clear proof that mankind has always painted and written on walls and in public space. With this background, the book is laying the basis for an evidence of the historic importance of this phenomenon, that today is known under the terms graffiti and street art.

Susan Farrell from graffiti.org supports "Street Messages"

 

What will happen with your money after a successful funding?

With your money the journeys will be financed to deepen the research and to provide the book with photographs of historic and present-day works in public space. The funding will enable the author to arrange an extensive research without having the worry to reduce the book-idea. Therefore he can work thematically in great depth. 

With the funding travel-expenses, accommodation, eventually hired cars and the necessary fees to purchase licenses, that have to be paid at the places with prehistoric wall paintings will be guaranteed. Parts of these journeys will lead Nicholas to the United States, Mexico, Egypt and throughout Europe. 

More concrete the costs are used in the following way: one week in Egypt (to document Hieroglyphs and modern graffiti) and 3 days in Istanbul, Turkey (documentation of ancient and modern graffiti) would cost 1250,- Euro (flights and accomodation), 3 days in London (documentation of modern graffiti) 300,- Euro (flights and accomodation), one week in New York City (documentation of modern graffiti) and 2 days in the "mural capital" Philadelphia (to document murals and modern graffiti), followed by one week in Mexico (documenting ancient Maya glyphs and modern graffiti) would be around 2500,- Euro (flights, trains and accomodation), 3 days in Naples to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum (documentation of ancient Roman graffiti) would be about 350,- Euro (rent car, flights and accomodation) and going 3 days to Bilbao, Spain to document the ancient cave-paintings of Altamira will be around 600,- Euro (flights, accomodation, rent car and 100,- Euro for the license to photograph). Last but not least Sponsume is taking their 5% share and Paypal their own share around 3,7%, which is around 500,- Euro at the end. All other costs will be payed by Nicholas himself.

Who stands behind this project?

The photographer and author Nicholas Ganz -> www.nicholasganz.de 

The photographer and author James Prigoff.

Nicholas is known for his previous best-selling books about graffiti: „Graffiti World“ and „Graffiti Woman“. „Graffiti World“ received a world-wide recognition and was translated into eleven (!!) languages. 

Besides this, he has written two books about Burma/Myanmar and travels extensively throughout Germany for lectures and readings.

He is responsible for the research and writes the texts of the book. The whole communication with the artists will be carried out by him. Nicholas will design the pages and will work with a professional designer later to give the layout a final touch.

James Prigoff and Nicholas Ganz know each other since many years and have already participated in a symposium in the Museum for Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles. James Prigoff is the co-author of the book „Spraycan Art“ and has written several books about mural art in the United States. James can look back on 40 years of experience in documenting graffiti and street art. 

James will write the foreword for the book and supports Nicholas with ideas and his extensive knowledge.

 

THE REWARDS

Here are the rewards, that you will receive for backing the project:

 

Stencil canvas - 180,- Euro

These three canvases are just a few examples of the artwork by Nicholas Ganz you can choose at the end. Spraypaint on canvas, site 30x40cm.

 

Painted CDs - 220,- Euro

These are eight of the available handpainted CDs, that are a reward for backers who wish to have a unique artwork by Nicholas Ganz.

 

Original drawing - 315,- Euro

These are the four drawings, where you can choose one of them as your reward. Pencil on 200 gr paper, size: 30x42cm.

 

Original canvas - 400,- Euro

This is the original artwork by Nicholas Ganz, spraypaint and marker on canvas. Only one time available. Spraypaint and marker on canvas, size: 114x74cm.

 

Painted vinyl - 500,- Euro

These are the seven handpainted vinyls, that are available. Spraypaint and acrylics on 12" vinyl-records.

 

Painted canvas - 750,- Euro

This is one of the two available unique canvas works with mixed media and a figure painted in acrylics. The other one is still in the making. ;o) Spraypaint and oil colour on canvas, size: 60x50cm.

 

Unique painting - 1200,- Euro

This unique artwork by Nicholas Ganz will be the reward for the main backer. It shows several graffiti artists and pieces. Only one time available. Acrylics on paper, size: 65x50cm.

 

Opiemme's "Peace" silk-screen print - 160,- Euro

This is one of the two original limited and signed prints by famous Italian street artist Opiemme. Silk-screen printing on 350 gr Fedrigroni paper, size: 35x50cm.

 

Opiemme's original artwork - 150,- Euro

These are the original artworks by Italian artist Opiemme. The supporter can choose one of the papers and will receive it shortly. Spraypaint on 120 gr yellow light paper, size: 35x50cm.