UrbanArtistry Presents… The Art Of Disobedience at Cultplex

In 2020, graffiti writer GECO was engulfed in the eye of a storm. He had been identified in Rome, the media were in a frenzy and the manhunt was on. UrbanArtistry presents a screening of documentary The Art of Disobedience, which takes us up close and personal with one of the most prolific writers in Europe, as he tells his own story through never before seen footage.

From the streets and peaks of Rome and beyond, GECO’s huge paint rollered pieces caused controversy and debate that spilled across borders. The mayor had made it a mission to catch him and even The New York Times ran an article detailing GECO’s prolific tagging, and reactions from residents, officials and the art world as it became apparent that the writer had been identified.

This time the film is accompanied by a live set from Chilla Ninja, head of Manchester based hip hop label Legacy Echo Records who will get the party started with some of the label’s trade mark beats.

The hunt brought the question of what constitutes art into mainstream public consciousness. What are the value of tags over other street art? Who gets to decide what images populate public spaces? Should street art be criminalised, and are the resources being put into preventing it out of proportion? GECO’s doc presents these sort of questions, showing us dizzying, adrenaline-filled lengths he goes to for his work alongside the reactions it has provoked.

UrbanArtistry’s event at Cultplex this September marks the start of a second season of films exploring street art and graffiti. As always, the event is more than just the screening. This time the film is accompanied by a live set from Chilla Ninja, head of Manchester based hip hop label Legacy Echo Records who will get the party started with some of the label’s trade mark beats.