explore the world of street art through the eyes of david saks
I am David Saks and I am a self proclaimed Street Art Chaser
In my humble opinion, yesterday’s Graffiti should never be confused with today’s Street Art. Although both can portray protest, Graffiti usually consists of letters boldly scrawled on subway cars, trains and walls to mark turf. Graffiti is generally scoffed at by many as civic, degradation, quickly constructed during the darkest hours and removed as rapidly as it is created.
On the other hand, Street Art usually reflects a beautiful picture such as a woman’s face or an animal using bright colors and great attention to detail. Street Artists have earned worldwide fame and they are sought out like celebrities to construct meaningful masterpieces to revitalize many a Main Street USA.
I am an American who lives in California and has spent the majority of my life in Los Angeles. Two years ago, I visited Israel and my eyes became mesmerized by the first works of Street Art that I ever noticed. Upon my return home to the USA, I hoped that my new discovery was not exclusive to the Middle East.
As I began to travel around the Western USA, I soon realized that my peripheral vision locates Street Art like a laser. My new found passion, combined with my acute vision drove my legs and cell phone camera index finger to chase Street Art from Azusa, California to Zuni, Colorado and many towns throughout the West.
As I posted my latest favorite on Facebook, many friends and family thanked me for sharing my passion, started sending me Street Art from their city and asked when I would put all of my photos in a book.
Every piece of Street Art that appear in my books are taken on my cell phone camera or sent to me via text or email. I have given credit to the Artists when possible, as the majority of Street Art appears as you see it, unsigned. In order to demonstrate the enormity and magnitude of Street Art Murals, I have included a couple of photos with me in them throughout my books.
When I visited Fresno, California, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the digital media company, Thrillist, recently described Fresno in its list of best cities in America for Street Art. In fact, prior to arriving in Fresno, I would routinely capture a photo of Street Art in one frame until I found myself overwhelmed by massive murals that required multiple frames.
My numerous books are a visual appetizer that represents my passion to capture amazing Street Art on building walls, sidewalk chalk, trash cans and massive murals by incredibly gifted Artists. What used to go unnoticed as nondescript portions of endless cityscapes has become my visual wonderland and whenever I see a blank wall or side of a building, I now view a blank canvas awaiting a Street Artist.