The Graffiti Spray Can is an object which can function as an art medium in the hands of an artist, bringing color and beauty to an otherwise depressing inner city area. It can also be employed as a tool for vandalism in the hands of the wrong person. These cans are often hastily discarded as their users complete their sometimes illegal nocturnal missions, as toxic litter, unsuitable for conventional recycling methods.
It is the respect and love for these discarded cans which prompted DJ Neff and Paul Ramirez of LA based studio, CHALK to found a non-profit can recycling program, aptly named CANLOVE, with the aim of producing works of art. This has proved to be a lesson of how a scorned object may be transformed into sculptures which rival the beauty of an organic form of nature.
An example of the work of CANLOVE was recently shown at an exhibition held at 941 Gallery in San Francisco. ‘Spray Bouquets’ and a stunning ‘Graffiti Tree’ filled the 3.000 sq.ft. space of a warehouse and visitors were astounded by the inspirational exhibits.
CANLOVE is an ongoing project dedicated to treating discarded cans with respect and unlocking their potential by releasing their inner spirit. The memory of the cans is preserved in time through the work of this extremely talented group of artists.
