A new year, a new 123KLAN reel. And she’s a ‘beaut!

Let’s be honest, it was only a matter of time before I posted something new about my favorite Canadians!

I always get super excited to find out about any updates regarding my favorite Canadian designers/street artists, 123Klan. Their work is always fresh and hilarious. This time around they’ve got a brand new site layout accompanied by a bucket full of new work. You’re welcome!

Alexis Taieb contacted me this morning to let me know that there was a ten-project update waiting for me, over at Tyrsa.fr. A French designer with a graffiti background, Alexis presents us with a hefty new batch of marvelous typographic work!

Considering the content that I’ve chosen to include on my blog thus far, I am ASHAMED of myself for not speaking of the 123 Klan until now! I look up to a lot of people, but I will say—these guys were kicking out the jams since the turn of the century and remain the kings of the hill today.

With the perfect blend of geometric vectors and graffiti sensibilities, they keep the content smooth, and deliver a bit of tasty attitude with everything they touch. The 123 Klan are trendsetters, to say it best.

If you aren’t familiar with 123 Klan, educate yourself and visit their site here. If you’ve been into them for as long as I have, then go back for seconds!

The graffiti culture is one that has surrounded me fairly consistently in the past. However, It’s one avenue of lettering that I’ve barely scratched the surface of, myself. Despite the playful, energetic personality that surrounds street artists, there exists a heavy weight that keeps the amateur from breaking into the scene. Street credit exists, and the street is the street after all.

I’ve had the incredible pleasure of visiting 5 Points in Queens, New York on two occasions. Recommendation: if you’ve never been there, get there; this paint-consumed warehouse is one of NYC’s best kept secrets. Since my first visit, I’ve done a lot of research on the progress of street art in all form, I’ve picked the brain of a few friends and acquaintances immersed in the East coast culture – and mind you, they take their identities very seriously. Artists from all around flock to 5 Points for a chance to claim a few square feet of wall space. The location is almost like a who’s who or hall of fame documentation, with names and styles of all kinds on display, and an urban setting that’s absolutely prone to photo and video shoots – one of which was staged and executed during my second visit. I still don’t know what is inside of the warehouse, but I’d like to visualize endless drafting tables and artists plotting their next attack!

While many of the more outstanding pieces on display leave most people dumbfounded and sweating to understand the lettering structure, the main attraction of my post is actually focused on a 50-second scrawl on paper with a chisel tip Sharpie marker. As much respect as I can muster up for the brilliant ensembles of color, pattern, form and depth displayed under bridges and along freight train cars, I find myself most genuinely in love with what are referred to as hand styles.

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