The first segment of Piece by Piece lays out the fundamentals of San Francisco graffiti by documenting topics that laid the groundwork for artists today. Items covered are УCholoФ writing, the impact of PBS’s Style Wars (1983), and the development of San Francisco’s defined style. This segment includes not only San Francisco’s graffiti originals, but also commentary from noted New York writers such as Seen, Cope2, and Case2. It also covers the life and death of Dream One, an SF graffiti pioneer and a vocal figurehead in Bay Area urban welfare activism.
The second segment elaborates on what it takes to establish credibility among the graffiti community, documents a shift from words to images, and tetcreats of how San Francisco developed graffiti styles yet to be seen in other parts of the world. This segment features works from writers such as KR and the horses of Reminisce, following writers and documenting their creative expression. Also featured here are Grey, Buter, Joro, Norm, and Barry McGee (Twist).
The final segment of Piece by Piece explores the wide range of public opinion towards graffiti by giving voice to citizens of San Francisco and to representatives of law enforcement on the subject. It also details the artistsТ confessions of their love and addiction to graffiti art and typographic lettering, instances of their social activism, and the short life span of their work.
Featured artists and crews
Dug, Saber, Cycle, Grey, Seen, Dream, Tie One, KR, Revok, Twist, Renos, Crayone, Diet, Ub-40, Reminisce, Deen, Buter, Giant, Jorone, Vegan, Kode/Kodigo/Koder, Norm, Reyes, Abhor, Awe, Bisie, Bless, Bzaro, Case2, Charo, Chears/Cheers, Chief, Cope2, Cuba, Cyme, Cypher, Darks, Dj Rise, Emuse, Erupto, Flack, Fury, Igni, Jase, Maseo, Mque, Nate, Nefew, Slamr, Kid, Neon, Oaner, Omen, Orfn, Phine, Phresh, Piccaso, Poesia, Quake, Raeyvn, Revers, Rolex,Saber, Saytr, Sibl, Skew, Skrag, Spie, Sprays, Trem, Twick, UFO, Vogue, 1Werd, TMF, TWS, ICP, AS, THR, HTK, BMB, 007, FSC, MSK, AWR, AOK, LORDS, BA, US, GTB, KUK, OSD, and BST et al.
Soundtrack
DJ Qbert, DStyles, TOPR, People Under The Stairs, All Bets Off, Kid 606, Dystopia, Bas1 et al.
Awards and selections
Best Documentary at the Bare Bones International Film Festival
DC International Film Festival: Official Selection
Documenta Madrid: Official Selection
Hi/Lo Film Festival: Official Selection