Chop ‘em Down Films is a collective of cinematographers based in Los Angeles, spearheaded by filmmaker Zane Meyer. They specialize in capturing street art and graffiti actions worldwide; their goal is to act as a catalyst for the culture rather than to simply document. The work of Chop ‘em Down reflects the perspective of an insider. In their collaboration with the urban art scene, they often draw attention to social context and political issues. Three projects in Los Angeles, Miami, and London are presented here through films and a large photo series.

London: American Carwash: Graffiti artists took over the American Carwash building with its multistory parking deck, which had been considered an eyesore in London’s trendy Shoreditch district. The unofficial artistic revamp is a testament to the transformative power of graffiti: fleeting creative actions can revitalize run-down parts of the cityscape, while sparking public discussion and challenging cultural norms.

On loan courtesy of the artist.