Poster Bombing or Flyposting -
Shepard Fairey uses wheatpaste to help create his murals
I love how Wikipedia says,
Activists and various subculture proponents often use this
adhesive to flypost propaganda and artwork.
Wheatpaste has also commonly been used by commercial bill posters. In particular, it was widely used by nineteenth and twentieth century circus bill posters, who developed a substantial culture around paste manufacture and postering campaigns.
In the 1890s,
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's posters were so popular that instructions were published on how to peel down the pasted posters without damage.
Until the 1970s, commercial poster hangers always "cooked" their own paste, but since then many have bought pre-cooked instant pastes.
Wheatpaste:
Is applied to the backside of paper then placed on flat surfaces, particularly concrete and metal as it does not adhere well to wood or plastic.
Cheap, rough paper such as newsprint, works well, as it can be briefly dipped in the mixture to saturate the fibres.
Since then Street Artists have used Wheatpasting to create a repetitive image that can be seen in multiple places and even multiple cities. Below is an example of #fiendclubla found out by the Salton Sea in California.
#fiendclubla can even be found out at Bombay Beach by the Salton Sea
When hanging unauthorized billboards or signage, to reduce the danger of being caught, wheatpasters frequently work in teams or affinity groups. In the United States and Canada, this process is typically called "wheatpasting" or "poster bombing," even when using commercial wallpaper paste instead of traditional wheat paste.
miss-me-art.com portrait of a vandal
Above are three examples of the vandal MissMe's work using wheatpaste pieces to effect social change. Images can provoke conversation and help the viewer consider another's point of view.
“ It’s not about men oppressing women, it’s about the patriarchal mentality oppressing the female reality".
— MissMe
Wheatpaste has transformed from advertising posters to the base for large murals. Bringing artwork to the masses.
Shepard Fairey the street artist stands in front of a mural using wheatpaste
In the United Kingdom, commercial wheatpasting is called flyposting and wheatpasting associated with urban art is called paste-up.
"I love the fact that wheatpasting can help an artist work on a larger scale and bring their message to the public”.
- Johnny Blanco
Caution: In most cities it is illegal for any person to affix or attach any sticker or decal on a public or private building or structure. There is a rebuttable presumption that the person whose name, telephone number, or any other identifying information appears on any sticker or decal is in violation. Every sticker or decal shall be deemed a separate violation. Anyone found to have violated this provision, in addition to any penalty imposed, shall also be responsible for the cost of the removal of the unauthorized sticker or decal. Please sticker responsibly.
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