99% Invisible California Love Scared Straight
Aug 4, 2020
Walter Thompson-Hernandez, a graffiti artist, reflects on his early experiences in L.A.'s Scared Straight program and explores the complexities of friendship and identity. Joined by Joe Connolly, an anti-graffiti activist, they discuss their contrasting views on urban art. The conversation touches on personal transformation, the emotional turmoil of adolescence, and the journey from rebellion to redemption. Their heartfelt reunion offers a lens into the evolution of their creative expressions, showcasing how life and graffiti intertwine in meaningful ways.
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Tagging Adventures and Nemesis
- Walter and Aloe honed their tagging skills together, learning techniques like using dirt to make hidden tags visible.
- Joe Connolly, their "nemesis," persistently painted over their work.
The Graffiti Gorilla
- Joe Connolly, a self-funded anti-graffiti vigilante, was a constant frustration for taggers.
- Walter and Aloe were arrested after Aloe filmed Walter tagging a trash can.
Life Change and Strained Friendship
- Following the arrest, Walter changed his life, motivated by his mother's exhaustion.
- This change strained his relationship with Aloe, as Walter distanced himself from graffiti.