"Dolk" is the pseudonym for Norway's most famous street artist. His real identity is unknown, but he has admitted to coming from Bergen. According to Wikipedia, his motives are often pop-cultural references put into a humoristic or critical context. His works can be seen on walls in many cities around the world, such as Bergen, Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Oslo, Lisbon, Stockholm, London, Prague and Melbourne. His main inspiration in art is said to be the British artist "Banksy".
He has lately moved into galleries and also done several commission works.
The work above is one of his most famous and is called "Spray". Wikipedia has this to say ablout it:
"The work "Spray" is a twist on the iconic picture taken by Eddie Adams during the Vietnam War where general Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executes the Vietcong prisoner of war Nguyễn Văn Lém with a head shot. Dolk have changed the head with a flower, and the revolver with a spray bottle. In Bergen city this work was preserved in 2009 by the local government by framing it in protective glass."
Here you can see for yourself how this piece of street art looks through a bit of "protective armour". Personally, I feel that some of the original purpose is gone.
He has his own WEB-site at dolk.no
This is my contribution to: «The Weekend in B & W»
Have a nice Week-End!
30 comments:
I do remember this famous head shot as I saw it on television. The War in Vietnam was totally different and if you were in the military during that war, people thought different of you than those who served during the Korean War. The Korean War is our forgotten war and now we have been in our longest war in Iraq.
Shame about the glass, but I'm glad the mural will be protected. The irony of trying to keep something alive -- spray bottle watering a flower -- using a scene of death is not lost on me.
I do remember the original head shot and I, too, saw it on television. It was particularly frightening for me to look at as my husband was in Vietnam at the time. And, no, the irony of this is not lost on me either. Great post for the day, Rune! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Beautiful work of art.
I know the original shot; I'm not sure to like tag.The violence behind is still there..
I wasn't familiar with this work and I like it very much.
Fascinating. Thank you for providing the information about the artist, too.
Läcker bild!
Anna
Interesting work! I remember the original...
Skikkelig bra bilde og flott presentasjon av Dolk!
Det er mye spennende som presanteres og finnes gatelangs bare man ser etter!
Yes ...I know the shocking original photo.This is so much more harmless , thanks for introducing the artist.
Yes, I remember. I think that is the importance of this kind of art - to remind us all.
I like what I see of his work but I agree that the work becomes something else when it's framed. From what I see on his website much of his work appears on derelict buildings, so presumably he expects it to soon be destroyed.
Som Ingun skriver også,- en fin presentasjon av "Dolk" og et av hans kjente "pieces"
Vel, grafitti og tagging er som oftest grobunn for debatt,- personlig anser jeg mange av disse gatekunstnere helt på høyde med andre illustratører og tegnere med "krass blyant" og har hatt stor glede av å finne små og store ytringer på vegger rundt om.
Ha en alle tiders helg, Rune:)
What a dramatic piece of street art -- let us not forget the horrors of war -- barbara
EVEN this bothers me. Making light of a terrible death.
Flott presentert denne artisten, utmerket B&W bilde!
very interesting!
I remember the famous shot too and I believe that this artist's commentary possibly referencing the 'flower power' peace movement is very valid. I am also impressed that the art has been preserved and protected. No such thing has happened to street art here!
Great photo but yes the artist who did the mural has an interesting take on the material.
Alt hva jeg ikke vet... sukk... men nå, takk som deler Rune. Gatekunst er en uttrykksform det å, på lik linje med det vi driver mer, synes det bare fiffer litt ekstra opp i alt det grå jeg :-)
I'm with Birdman on this one...
This is provocative, but I think I'm with Birdman too. That war and those times were pretty awful, which the original photo captured. This seems to be making light of it all.
I didn't know Banksy was British!
Knallbra gatekunst, Rune. De fanger alltid min interesse når jeg rusler rundt - denne er virkelig spesiell!
Fortsatt fin søndag!
Irene
A street artist with web-site and framed works! But I wouldn't have known him and his intelligent and fine art without this...... Thanks, rune, for showing this!
very banksy I'd say
made me smile so he must be great. :)
Beautiful work of art. :-)
Dolk is an excellent street artist, but I have to agree with you. Street art should not be put behind frames and in galleries. Great post, Rune.
Very cool street arts. They consistently spark creativity. :)
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