I would like to do my fieldguide assignment on the art of moss graffiti. Moss graffiti (also known as green graffiti or one of the many types of environmental graffiti) involves mixing a solution of moss, buttermilk (can also use beer or yogurt), water and sugar to make a paint. If this paint is applied to a surface and kept moisturized, the moss will grow from the surface in the applied pattern. Another method is to make an adhesive and attach pure moss to a wall. Moss graffiti is practiced all over the world from America to Germany to Bosnia. Not only do I find this type of art aesthetically pleasing but I enjoy the DIY culture behind it, the earth art connection and the act of displaying art in a public place.
I’m interested in studying moss graffiti for a multitude of reasons. One reason is that while moss graffiti is still graffiti, a larger populace (including schools) has accepted it as legitimate. For example, I watched a video of a elementary school using moss graffiti to decorate their school (see below). And a large number of the how-to videos on YouTube are geared towards children. I even watched a video about a large moss graffiti project used for a beer advertisement. Obviously, this form of graffiti is being seen in a different light than the traditional kind. I’m guessing that this has to do with moss graffiti’s connection to science and environmentalism. However, I did read that the process often destroys wall paint, so it can damage property. I’m curious to look more into why this form of graffiti has been more widely accepted.
I’m also excited about this project because I plan to actually do moss graffiti. I was thinking that this part of the project could include the 7 forms of media. For instance, I already have this twitter that I use to post one-line poems daily (#MetaphorADay). I could take those poems and moss graffiti them around town. That would already be two types of media. Then I could take photos of the process, perhaps create a video and even a map. I’ll have to get creative about coming up with 7 different ways to present my project but that’s the fun of a challenge. I’m open to suggestions!
My plan is to create a fieldguide website to moss graffiti that includes the history, a tutorial and my project. The problem I have is that I haven’t found much on the history of the practice. I found pictures and info on various artists who do moss graffiti, but not many articles on the actual subject. Some of the artists I have found do projects similar to my idea. For instance, the Mossenger leaves short messages on walls (see above picture). Some artists cover objects like chandeliers and cars in moss or create usable moss items like tables. Not all moss graffiti is done outside. Some projects have been done as part of a temporary exhibit. This is the kind of information I have been able to find, but nothing like a critique or a history. This will probably just take more digging, but if you have any tips, that would be helpful.
Another issue I have is that my project doesn’t have a geographical base. I feel that this arts engagement is too specific to narrow it down to a specific location, so I’m taking a general approach. But I don’t know if that will make it difficult to complete the field guide. My project is more of an overview/how-to fieldguide so it may not be an issue, but I was wondering what you thought. Should I look into a specific location?
Other than that, I guess I’ll have to start collecting moss.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdhtSFibQbE[/youtube]