Revolution in a Can

In the tradition of Gandhi, Thoreau, and Dr. Martin Luther King, South Austin’s graffiti artists are escalating their unique form of civil disobedience.

“I actually kind of struggle with it,” admits one tagger. “I mean, taxpayer dollars used to ‘buff’ my pieces could be spent on a better mass transit system or to house the homeless, but I will no longer be ignored. I’ve got something to say, yo.”

His message? “Vomit.” The oversized, colorful letters have been spray-painted on various urban surfaces south of the river: utility boxes, street posts, stop signs, overpasses, and run-down buildings.

“The first time I saw the artwork I put down the cell phone and eased the car to the curb,” acknowleged motorist Emilia Garc

March 25th, 2003