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Piece by Piece (documentary)
Encyclopedia
Piece By Piece is a documentary film directed by Nic Hill
. The film documents San Francisco's graffiti
culture from the early 1980s to 2004. It is narrated by San Francisco graffiti artist Senor One, better known as Renos. The San Francisco Bay Guardian' s Cheryl Eddy singled the film out as the highlight of the 2006 Hi/Lo film festival, calling it "an educational experience" and "a thoughtful document". In a full review for that same paper, Johnny Ray Huston said it was "a thorough history that still makes time ... for abstract, lyrical flowing passages". Huston complained that sections such as those featuring Tie One or Reminisce
could make movies in themselves, and wished to see more detailing of artists' entries into the legitimate art world. He concluded that the film and director "succeeded at a mighty task" and were interested in displaying "a deep but entertaining understanding of the city as both a historical site and a nexus for contemporary change". Rory L. Aronsky in Film Threat wrote that the documentary "gets this graffiti culture completely right" while for Dennis Harvey in Variety it was "an excellent overview of two decades' graffiti in San Francisco".
” writing, the impact of PBS's Style Wars
(1983), and the development of San Francisco's defined style. This segment includes not only San Francisco's graffiti originals, but also commentary from noted New York
writers such as Seen, Cope2
, and Case2. It also covers the life and death of Dream One, an SF graffiti pioneer and a vocal figurehead in Bay Area urban welfare activism.
(Twist).
, Renos, Crayone, Diet, Ub-40, Reminisce
, Deen, Buter, Giant, Jorone, Vegan, Kode/Kodigo/Koder, Norm, Reyes, Abhor, Awe, Bisie, Bless, Bzaro, Case2, Charo, Chears/Cheers, Chief, Cope2
, Cuba, Cyme, Cypher, Darks, Dj Rise, Emuse, Erupto, Flack, Fury, Igni, Jase, Maseo, Mque, Nate, Nefew, Slamr, Kid, Neon, Oaner, Omen, Orfn, Phine, Phresh, Piccaso, Poesia, Quake, Raeyvn, Revers, Rolex,Saber, Saytr, Sibl, Skew, Skrag, Spie, Sprays, Trem, Twick, UFO, Vogue, 1Werd, TMF, TWS, ICP, AS, THR, HTK, BMB, 007, FSC, MSK, AWR, AOK, LORDS, BA, US, GTB, KUK, OSD, and BST et al.
Nic Hill
Nic Hill is an American film director. He has directed films including Truth in Numbers?, Tokyo To Osaka, and Piece by Piece.-Filmography:-External links:...
. The film documents San Francisco's graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
culture from the early 1980s to 2004. It is narrated by San Francisco graffiti artist Senor One, better known as Renos. The San Francisco Bay Guardian
Reminisce (artist)
Reminisce is a sculptor, painter, and former street artist from San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, known for her evocative portrayal of horses.- Biography :...
could make movies in themselves, and wished to see more detailing of artists' entries into the legitimate art world. He concluded that the film and director "succeeded at a mighty task" and were interested in displaying "a deep but entertaining understanding of the city as both a historical site and a nexus for contemporary change". Rory L. Aronsky in Film Threat wrote that the documentary "gets this graffiti culture completely right" while for Dennis Harvey in Variety it was "an excellent overview of two decades' graffiti in San Francisco".
Chapter 1
The first segment of Piece by Piece lays out the fundamentals of San Francisco graffiti by documenting topics that laid the groundwork for artists today. Items covered are “CholoCholo
Cholo is an ethnic slur created by Hispanic criollos in the 16th century, and it has been applied to individuals of mixed or pure American Indian ancestry, or other racially mixed origin. The precise usage of "cholo" has varied widely in different times and places...
” writing, the impact of PBS's Style Wars
Style Wars
Style Wars is a 1983 documentary on hip hop culture, directed by Tony Silver and produced by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant. The film has an emphasis on graffiti, although bboying and rapping are covered to a lesser extent...
(1983), and the development of San Francisco's defined style. This segment includes not only San Francisco's graffiti originals, but also commentary from noted New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
writers such as Seen, Cope2
Cope2
Fernando Carlo is a graffiti artist from the South Bronx, New York. He has been writing graffiti since 1978-79, and has gained international credit for his work. Though he is now known worldwide, he didn't receive recognition in the mainstream graffiti world until the mid-1990s.Cope2's cousin...
, and Case2. It also covers the life and death of Dream One, an SF graffiti pioneer and a vocal figurehead in Bay Area urban welfare activism.
Chapter 2
The second segment elaborates on what it takes to establish credibility among the graffiti community, documents a shift from words to images, and tetcreats of how San Francisco developed graffiti styles yet to be seen in other parts of the world. This segment features works from writers such as KR and the horses of Reminisce, following writers and documenting their creative expression. Also featured here are Grey, Buter, Joro, Norm, and Barry McGeeBarry McGee
Barry McGee is a painter and graffiti artist. He is also known by monikers such as Ray Fong, Lydia Fong, Bernon Vernon, P.Kin, Ray Virgil, Twist and further variations of Twist, such as Twister, Twisty, Twisto and others.-Life and career:McGee graduated from El Camino High School in South...
(Twist).
Chapter 3
The final segment of Piece by Piece explores the wide range of public opinion towards graffiti by giving voice to citizens of San Francisco and to representatives of law enforcement on the subject. It also details the artists’ confessions of their love and addiction to graffiti art and typographic lettering, instances of their social activism, and the short life span of their work.Featured artists and crews
Dug, Saber, Cycle, Grey, Seen, Dream, Tie One, KR, Revok, TwistBarry McGee
Barry McGee is a painter and graffiti artist. He is also known by monikers such as Ray Fong, Lydia Fong, Bernon Vernon, P.Kin, Ray Virgil, Twist and further variations of Twist, such as Twister, Twisty, Twisto and others.-Life and career:McGee graduated from El Camino High School in South...
, Renos, Crayone, Diet, Ub-40, Reminisce
Reminisce (artist)
Reminisce is a sculptor, painter, and former street artist from San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, known for her evocative portrayal of horses.- Biography :...
, Deen, Buter, Giant, Jorone, Vegan, Kode/Kodigo/Koder, Norm, Reyes, Abhor, Awe, Bisie, Bless, Bzaro, Case2, Charo, Chears/Cheers, Chief, Cope2
Cope2
Fernando Carlo is a graffiti artist from the South Bronx, New York. He has been writing graffiti since 1978-79, and has gained international credit for his work. Though he is now known worldwide, he didn't receive recognition in the mainstream graffiti world until the mid-1990s.Cope2's cousin...
, Cuba, Cyme, Cypher, Darks, Dj Rise, Emuse, Erupto, Flack, Fury, Igni, Jase, Maseo, Mque, Nate, Nefew, Slamr, Kid, Neon, Oaner, Omen, Orfn, Phine, Phresh, Piccaso, Poesia, Quake, Raeyvn, Revers, Rolex,Saber, Saytr, Sibl, Skew, Skrag, Spie, Sprays, Trem, Twick, UFO, Vogue, 1Werd, TMF, TWS, ICP, AS, THR, HTK, BMB, 007, FSC, MSK, AWR, AOK, LORDS, BA, US, GTB, KUK, OSD, and BST et al.
Soundtrack
- DJ Qbert, D-Styles, TOPR, People Under The StairsPeople Under the StairsPeople Under the Stairs is a hip hop group from Los Angeles, California formed in 1997 by Thes One and Double K. The group has released eight critically acclaimed full-length albums and performed on every continent except Antarctica. It is estimated that the group has performed well over 1,000 sold...
, All Bets Off, Kid 606, Dystopia, Bas1 et al.
Awards and selections
- Best Documentary at the Bare Bones International Film FestivalBare Bones International Film FestivalThe Bare Bones International Film Festival was founded in 1999 by the Darkwood Film Arts Institute in the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma to showcase low-budget independent movies...
- DC International Film Festival: Official Selection
- Documenta Madrid: Official Selection
- Hi/Lo Film Festival: Official Selection
- Rhythm of the Line - International Graffiti & Hip-hop Film Festival, Berlin: Official Selection