These past few weeks while we were watching Exit Through the Gift Shop I was completely fascinated by this whole idea of "street art". These pieces were so cool that I found myself being able to push past the ridiculous names and actually listen to them. I felt like my actual brain was free and I was watching something original and culture-changing. I felt like it was something important.
Obviously, I'm all one for self-expression. I'm in theater, but on top of that i express myself in the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I interact... But watching Thierry "express" himself made me down right angry.
Street art was supposed to be this really cool, calm and collected thing. You were supposed to almost stand back, and just let people enjoy your work. Thierry threw himself in there, and completely became a huge tool in my opinion. His pieces were cool, but not original. He wasn't a full diva, but he certainly was not a nice guy. And on top of that, he almost completely abandoned his family. At the end of the film it stated that "Deborah was still raising their children." SHE was.
For the lack of a better word, Thierry lacked class. I don't mean 'pinky out' or 'no elbows on the table'. I mean, he didn't sit back. Instead, he added a stupid pair of sunglasses to his facade, and made his side burns bigger.
I feel embarrassed for the other street artists. These people have put so much effort, love and passion into their pieces of art. They went through the Raamen Noodle every night ordeal. But Thierry, he shoved himself in, in an almost rude manor, and completely tore what they knew and loved apart.
He had no respect or gratitude towards the ones who had helped him get to where he was.
So my 'now I get it!' moment isn't really about getting 'it'. It's about realizing what fame can actually do to someone. In some ways, Thierry thinks that he is an inspiration, and he's completely original, and that he can change the world with his art.
I'm calling bull.
