These graffiti pen-pals are using street art to talk politics

Where activism and art overlap — Between London and Chicago, street artists Dont Fret and Edwin are turning their Whatsapp exchanges into pointed political displays scrawled across each other's cities.

Over the last year or so, text messages between Dont Fret and Edwin – two graffiti artists from Chicago and London respectively – took a turn towards the political.

But where most people would prefer to keep their Whatsapp conversation private, the pair splattered their exchanges on public walls, making us all spectators of their socially conscious “observational commentary”.

Along the way, the refugee crisis, Brexit and the US election gave the project added urgency.The highlights are documented in their book The Distinct Sound Of Laughter In The Distance, which aims to the reflect not just the personal, social and political thoughts of the artists, but of the wider population on either of the Atlantic.
1._Don't_Fret_x_Edwin_TDSOLITD_Distinct
Tell us the origin story: how did this collaboration start?Dont Fret: I came to London in 2015 and didn’t know anyone. In what would prove to be somewhat ironic, Edwin and I had communicated a few times through the internet, so I asked him if I could stay with him for a few days and make some work.We ended up finding so much common ground – revolving around graffiti, street art and friendship – that I ended up staying with him for almost three weeks. We did a lot of work together in the streets and when I finally returned to Chicago, we continued to keep in contact and brainstorm future projects.

How do your exchanges make the jump from your smartphones to walls?

Dont Fret: It was a little different every time but essentially I would think of a phrase or text, then send it to Edwin via Whatsapp. Edwin’s task is to graffiti the text in London, and vice versa for me in Chicago with Edwin’s text. It could be a tag, a roller, a marker tag.

In most cases we were both totally open to interpret the other’s text and to re-contextualise it based on our own execution.

As the project became more political, following the events of 2016, a lot of Edwin’s text interpreted what’s happening in America from an outsider’s perspective, while mine interpreted Brexit from afar.

2. Dont Fret x Edwin_What Do you Think copy

You finished the book before Trump became president. How has the US election influenced or changed the project?

Dont Fret: In the simplest sense, Trump and his cronies certainly provided some content (“Alaska Is Pretty Far Away”) and a few laughable lines.

But what began as sort of a “graffiti pen-pal project” and a bit of fun suddenly seemed like an important opportunity to talk about what’s happening in the world, both as two international artists and just as two friends going, “What the fuck?” an ocean away [from each other].

Also I think it was important that the project promoted international dialogue in a time when the powers-that-be seem to be keen on pushing a nationalistic, anti-immigration platform.

Which message from the other most struck both of you?

Dont Fret: I don’t know why, but writing Edwin’s “Jewelry Of A Dead Relative” in a Chicago neighbourhood where people are selling 100-year-old buildings for millions of dollars before knocking them down to make way for cheap condos felt oddly fulfilling and appropriate.

Edwin: For me, Dont Fret’s “Dark Times” was an obvious standout. Personally, socially and politically it had – and still has – a strong resonance to both of our situations.

4. Dont Fret x Edwin_Cranes copy
You guys are prime examples of how art and activism intersect. In your view, what’s the role of the activist artist – and especially of the street artist – in 2017?

Dont Fret: I’m interested in using my work to talk about issues I care about: issues relevant to my neighbourhood, my city, my country and my sense of humour.

I think humour is a really important tool and I am grateful I’ve found it in my work as a way to deal with the “dark times”. Otherwise I’d probably just be under my bed in the fetal position screaming about the lack of soy products in public schools.

Street art has taken a few unfortunate turns in recent years, but bluntly: placing art in the streets illegally is an inherently political act and, in my view, an extremely important one in this time, as many artists move into more commercial work and purely legal muralism.

Edwin: Nailed it. I think that’s why we naturally gravitated to the other’s work, both in aesthetic and execution. The energy in applying the (illegal) work is something I value highly and is lacking in most muralism.

Also the restrictions that I, and many others, encounter when working legally – especially when it comes to discussing political issues – are numbing the audience. Unless those restrictions are challenged, that could completely jeopardise the power that this avenue of public art has.

Dont Fret x Edwin Book Page layout 3 copy
Where did the title The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance come from?

Dont Fret: We are now – perhaps more than any other point in human history – capable of communicating with one another, yet we’re maybe also the least capable of learning from that exchange.

Have you noticed any difference in the ways people in both cities have reacted to the messages?

Dont Fret: We didn’t announce the project until the end of 2016, so it was interesting to see people react over a course of a year to what’s essentially Edwin’s work in my handwriting… to see Chicagoans’ react to graffiti and text written by an Australian that has never been to Chicago.

Edwin: In London, there seemed to be a hesitation to even post the pieces [online], let alone give them the time of day to be to be understood, if there was no claiming of it by legible signature.

For me that has always been interesting territory, as there is such a reliance on the celebrity element to a lot of work out here on the streets. It’s nice to be reacting to and, in essence, rejecting that notion.

Dont Fret x Edwin Book Page layout 4 copy
Are you planning to continue the project over the next few years?

Dont Fret: What’s exciting is that the project really just feels like it’s beginning. I am still writing some of Edwin’s text in the streets of Chicago and as I travel.

Edwin: I think it’s more important now than when we began the project… and due to the nature of this as an exchange of ideas between two people on different sides of the planet, there’s never a shortage of inspiration.

Book_Image_1

The Distinct Sound Of Laughter In The Distance is available to buy at Unit 5’s online gallery (UK), and at Dont Fret’s personal website (US).

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Ad

Latest on Huck

Two young women making silly facial expressions, one with a grey coat and the other in a black coat, in front of a white building.
Culture

Tender, carefree portraits of young Ukrainians before the war

Diary of a Stolen Youth — On the day that a temporary ceasefire is announced, a new series from photographer Nastya Platinova looks back at Kyiv’s bubbling youth culture before Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion. It presents a visual window for young people into a possible future, as well as the past.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Four people posing for a portrait, wearing black outfits against a bright red background. The text "Hush presents Analogue Appreciation" is overlaid in yellow and green lettering.
Music

Analogue Appreciation: 47SOUL

Dualism — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s Palestinian shamstep pioneers 47SOUL.

Written by: 47SOUL

A punk rock band performing on stage, with a female lead singer belting into a microphone. Behind them, a colourful mural with graffiti-style text.
Music

Meet the hair-raised radicals of Berlin’s noise punk scene

Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy of the German capital’s bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Group of people dancing at a live music performance, with a large "Spaces Beats" sign in the background.
Music

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms

Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.

Written by: Jack Styler

A person's face surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers include orange, red, and yellow dahlias, as well as smaller yellow blooms. The person's expression is serious.
Music

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.

Written by: Uwade

Taxidermy alligator with a small monkey sitting on its head, displayed on a wooden shelf with other items.
Culture

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets

“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.