As a transplanted Brooklynite with a lifelong appreciation for the art of graffiti, I was thoroughly impressed by the display of aerosol talent orchestrated by Rochester's own FUA (From Up Above) crew as they celebrated their 20th anniversary this past summer at their BBoy BBQ. A couple of years ago, I happened to "discover" the outdoor gallery that is the Clinton Avenue corridor. I was so moved by what I saw that I parked my car and asked a group of teenagers who the artists were. "Range, Sno, and Zone," they replied, almost in unison. The individuals I met reminded me of the folks I grew up with in East New York. They were family men, role models, and artists with tremendous pride in their neighborhood - respected.

Spanning every corner of the globe, graffiti is arguably the largest visual art movement the world has ever known. I've seen beautiful aerosol murals from the South of France to Bali. Our local talents rival the best the world has to offer, unequivocally. Some of the FUA crewmembers have traveled abroad to Puerto Rico, Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic painting with some of Europe's finest, representing Upstate New York and Rochester as ambassadors within this global culture.

Vandalism and graffiti art are not synonymous. While there exist factions within the movement whose adherents are not concerned with finely executed masterpieces, they do not represent the whole. However, many of the most celebrated graffiti artists began as vandals and honed their skills to produce awe-inspiring productions. Some, such as the recently departed Michael Martin aka "IZ the WIZ," Richard "SEEN" Mirando, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, became iconic figures. The common thread among these notables is their shared history as literal underground artists of the New York City Subway system.

I realize that there are many who would readily disagree, opining that art belongs within the confines of a defined set of aesthetics. I challenge those individuals to visit the Clinton Avenue corridor and experience the creations of the renowned FUA collaborative. If you're not careful, you may slip up and gain a new appreciation for your city.

IAN J. WILSON, ROCHESTER

(Rebecca Rafferty reviewed FUA's exhibit at Rochester Contemporary in our August 26 issue.)