Vanvas Returns

Way back in December, I noticed that graffiti artists had chosen a new medium for their work: delivery vans and trucks. Since then, I've only grown more impressed with the "vanvas" pieces I've seen on the street. There's something about all that pristine space - and maybe the increased visibility/mobility of the vehicle - that inspires invention and fine workmanship. And as far as I can tell, other graffitists seem to refrain from covering over another's vanvas, suggesting that this might constitute enduring art.

There's abstract expressionism:

More traditional work in the "tag" genre:

And searing commentaries on authenticity, luxury, and consumer culture:

As you can tell, I'm a big fan.

                   *                             *                        *                     *                      *

Update, 10 minutes later: Maggie has pointed out that there's a post by one of the Paris bloggers we check regularly which explains this phenomenon as an exchange between market traders and graffiti artists. I'm not entirely sure that covers all the vanvas I've seen, but it's persuasive enough, and Adam's post is much better written. Finding his post makes me feel like I was hip to vanvas when it was still underground!