June 09, 2016
Jon Naar/Courtesy of Roger Gastman
Wall in the Bronx featuring Nixon posters and a CHARMIN 65 tag.
Director Roger Gastman's documentary "Wall Writers: Graffiti in its Innocence" traces the history of graffiti from its beginnings in 1967. The film shows how graffiti and the movement it started in Philadelphia and New York transformed cities, public spaces and art.
Dozens of testimonies are included in the film, from graffiti's originators, journalists and politicians.
"Graffiti and street art today are largely considered the rock n’ roll of visual art," International House of Philadelphia states in its documentary synopsis.
The film will be shown June 25 at International House, followed by a Q&A with Gastman and special guests Cornbread, Cool Earl, Kool Klepto Kidd, Lewis and other graffiti artists. This will be the first time in over 35 years that Cornbread, Cool Earl and Kool Klepto Kidd will be together.
There is also a companion book to the documentary, which attendees can get signed at the event.
Tickets to view the film are free for International House members, $9 for the general public and $7 for students and seniors with ID.
