During the presentation, SANO discusses the concepts and theories behind graffiti art, hoping to foster a better appreciation for this often misunderstood artform. GRAFFITI VERITE 4 is one of the few instructional titles that teaches the popular medium of dynamic graffiti art. Winner, Best Documentary and Soundtrack of the Year Award, 2003 Urban Independent Music Awards.

"The fourth entry in the Graffiti Verite' series (see review of Graffiti Verite' {VL - 5/96}covers the basics of becoming a graffiti artist, with instruction by graffiti artist SANO in the techniques of sketching, outlining and fading, highlighting and shadowing, "can" control, 3D effects, and more. Declaring his absolute love of the genre, SANO sketches ideas on a pad while sitting in the sun, and talks about translating his vision onto the wall of somebody else's property (just kidding!) Actually, SANO demonstrates his considerable artistic gifts on sanctioned al fresco surfaces: a 50-foot long wall at the Venice, California Graffiti Pit, and a canvas in a park. A far cry from the flamboyant if illegible tags that constitute the bulk of graffiti art in many locales, SANO's larger work is nonetheless semi-traditional, centered on his name, but with some really nice adjoining elements like a colorful mushroom cloud. His smaller work is a portrait of Tupac Shakur which, given the black background, looks something like a hip-hop equivalent of an Elvis on black velvet masterpiece, albeit a very artistic one. Attention to detail and clarity of instruction are plusses here, but no doubt the subject matter will raise issues for some collections, SANO's obvious talents notwithstanding, since graffiti art is not universally esteemed as desirable public art. However, as either art instruction or social document this is a worthy addition, and is therefore recommended."
-Aud: H.C, P.M. (Mike Tribby, contributing reviewer)
VIDEO LIBRARIAN (Vol.18 : The Video Review Magazine for Libraries : No. 4)
*** (3 out of 4 Stars) 68 min. Bryan World Productions. PPR. Color

****

"The term graffiti brings to mind vandals spraying subway walls with four-letter words. Viewers may be surprised to learn that not only is this a legitimate art form, but there are contests (the narrator is the two-time winner of the International Graffiti Art Competition), legal graffiti walls (one in Los Angeles is shown), and a variety of techniques and procedures used to produce top quality aerosol art. A bit different from the earlier videos in this series which showcased multiple artists, this one features SANO, an articulate young artist who explains his process and discusses the inspiration behind his art.

He credits such diverse influences as da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rubens, Duchamp, and Japanese animation as well as music - reggae, traditional, and hip-hop - and social and political forces. The video shows SANO in action from the conception of an idea to the final execution of his design. It is interesting to note that he begins by roughing out ideas in a sketchbook. Then he covers previous wall graffiti with a paint roller (buffing the wall), but allows the colors underneath to bleed through his base coat. After donning a paint mask, he sprays in outline and guidelines, then paints the design using several different techniques and explains how to regulate the flow of the spray. Once the mural is complete, he offers ideas for using aerosol art on canvas and demonstrates its fine art potential by creating a realistic portrait in black and white. An unusual take on an often maligned art form, this video will inspire art students."
- Lauri Edwards, Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg<