The Bottom Line
Just remember that it does come with a disclaimer that "you are on your own" if confronted by the law, you can't claim "the book made you do it"! Of course, the ideas can be used at home (and in the homes of friends) too.
Pros
- Explains what is meant by guerilla art and how you can do it.
- Includes ideas for getting you started, techniques to use, and cut-out templates.
- Easy-to- follow 'recipes' on how to make stickers, stencils, stamps, seed bomb, and wheat paste.
Cons
- Be careful where you do guerilla art or you could end up on the wrong side of the law!
Description
- Spiral bound, hardback book, 144 pages. Mostly two-color illustrations throughout.
- Includes a section of cut-out templates for guerilla art, such as a "Portable Idea Dispenser" box and sticker artwork.
- Divided into six sections: Intro, Going Out, How to Start, Exercises, Templates, and Quotes.
- Author Keri Smith describes herself as "an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist". Her website is at www.kerismith.com.
Guide Review - The Guerilla Art Kit by Keri Smith
Guerilla art is art done in a public space or place, out there in the 'real world' where 'ordinary people' are, rather than the rarefied air of an art gallery or museum among the 'appreciators of art'. Exactly what you do is limited by your imagination and creativity, and with a copy of The Guerilla Art Kit you'll have enough ideas to last some time.
The kit starts with an introduction to the concept of guerilla art, the etiquette, the imperative for anonymity, and the value of doing impermanent art. Then there are how-tos for essential techniques (creating stencils, stamps, stickers, seed bombs) before you get to the heart of the book, the exercises or ideas. Lastly there are some cut-out templates.
The ideas vary in the level of difficulty and the medium used, starting with chalking quotes on a location and ending with guerilla art in an office environment. In between are all sorts of ideas, from a creating wish tree to slogan stickers to creating moss graffiti.
I like the fact the book's got a spiral wire binding, because it means it stays open and flat while you use it. The instructions for the exercises are clearly explained (often with a diagram too) and a materials list provided. I'd be tempted to rather trace some of the templates at the back than cut them out, such as the box for a portable ideas dispenser; that way you've got it again for later use.
Don't reject this book because the thought of doing guerilla art gives you the shivers (or you think it's littering). It's full of fun ideas that'll be great for doing with an art group, with kids, or for putting into your art journal. Pick an idea and go guerilla art-ing this weekend!
