One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Social Cigarettes' Street Artist Admits Facebook Addiction
An L.A.-based street artist known as 2wenty can't seem to get enough of the social network that he's related to metaphorically as cancer sticks in his work. But Facebook has already gotten the relative street art newbie into local gallery shows as well as attention from across the pond.
“I make pieces about what’s bothering me,” said 2wenty, who is actually turning 30 this month and is employed in the media industry, according to Forbes' blogger Kashmir Hill. “People are always on Facebook at work and while walking down the street.”
Facebook may cause "loss of time, poor work ethic, obesity, social disorder and possible interference of destiny," according to the mock-Surgeon General's warning on the 3-D version of the box, now on display as part of downtown (just off Gallery Row) gallery Crewest's current installation "Above the radar," which focuses on the work of graffiti and street artists.
But everybody's on Facebook and so is 2wenty, who regularly posts updates to his profile and is adored by a few dozen fans. Shots of other work by the street artist has been documented on various local blogs as well as by LAist Featured Photo Pool contributors.
Photo by JulieFaithvia flickr.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
