Beautiful Losers

The idea that some graffiti vandals have used their DIY approach to become legitimized in the mainstream by selling their skills to corporations, is put forth in this lo-fi documentary about an early ‘90s New York art scene that barely existed inside Aaron Rose's Alleged gallery. Director Aaron Rose attempts to canonize a group of 11 oh-so-precious street artists like Margaret Kilgallen, Barry McGee, Mike Mills, and oddly even Harmony Korine. If anything, the film supports the idea that any lowest common denominator hack artist can eventually sell out to a commercial market intent on selling any and every spec of trash in the name of free-market capitalism. It’s easy to look at the theme as a way to be inspired by the economic and cultural abyss that America is staring into. It’s also yet another indication that indulging in "hope" is a waste of time.

Not Rated, 90 mins. (C) (Two Stars)