Transparently feminist

Dig it - a stencil of "FEMINIST" written as a knuckle tattoo - caught this on a bus shelter along Jenifer St. as I was walking to hit up a coffee shop for its wireless access. Moving sucks.

SOLVE lives, and his alleged murderer finally gets his day in court

I started this street art blog during the summer of 2008 (my how time flies), in large part because of the story of Brandon "SOLVE" Scanlon's murder. Originally from Madison, Brandon had since moved to Chicago and was making a name for himself there as a street artist when he was, tragically, stabbed and killed in an alley near his apartment.

Stickers and stencils of "SOLVE LIVES" almost immediately began cropping up all over Chicago, Madison, and eventually even further afield in tribute to his life. It was hard not to notice. Brandon's father, Bill, has also be a tireless voice of support for his son's memory and street art in general.

So when I got this email from him today, I thought it would make sense to share it on the blog:

Tomorrow, June 22, at 10:00 AM the trial will start for Kirk Tobolski, the person accused of having murdered the artist Brendan Scanlon.also known by his guerrilla art name SOLVE.

Scanlon, who is also known by his street art name SOLVE, grew up in Madison, where he graduated from Madison East in 2002.  In 2003 he moved to Chicago for school and work.  He was killed in Chicago in June, 2008 at age 24.

The trial, titled People v Kirk Tobolski, Case No. 08CR-13164, is open to the public. It will be in Courtroom 205 at the Criminal Courts Building, 2650 S California Ave in Chicago.

Tomorrow the trial will likely run into the late afternoon. It is also scheduled to continue on Thursday, June 23, and might continue on other dates that are not yet set.

The trial is starting more than three years after SOLVE was killed, even though Tobolski was arrested within an hour after the killing and charged with the murder less than a day later. Tobolski has been out on bail since late October, 2008.

Corey Feldman does not care for your dog

 

Photographer Elisa Derickson is pretty sure this stencil is of Corey Feldman - and apparently he's not down with you walking your stinky ol' dog in Yahara Place Park, y'all.

Yarnbombing the Capitol

 (click for huge)

Political protest yarnbombs up at the Capitol building. Sent in by Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway, now newly appointed to the Madison Art Commission which, given her appreciation of street art, I take as a good sign.

#wiunion mud stencils

(Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Bldg, Madison WI, May 9 2010)

I love mud stencil art. No one can legitimately complain about vandalism, they fit into the "art is transitory" theme, and these especially are just awesome. Creative expression. All stencils by artist Wanderoo, photos by various folks - all related, of course, to the protests in Madison (and Wisconsin) over the governor/Republican efforts to destroy collective bargaining rights for public employees, among a whole host of other outrages:

 (Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Bldg, Madison WI, May 9 2010)

 (Reverse Robin Hood Action Capitol Square - Madison, WI: May 14, 2011)

(Reverse Robin Hood Action Capitol Square  Madison WI May 14 2011)

 (Farmers Market, Madison Wisconsin May 28, 2011)

(Alternate Bratfest, MLK Blvd, Madison WI May 28 2011)

(Interfaith Vigil for a Just & Moral Budget, State Capitol, Madison W June 2 2011)