Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Piece By Piece (2005)

Film Lens

Piece By Piece
Piece by Piece is a documentary that covers the evolution of San Francisco's graffiti culture from the early 1980s to 2004. Directed by Nic Hill, the film is narrated by the graffiti artist Senor One, also known as Renos. It provides a historical context by discussing key elements such as 'Cholo' writing and the influence of PBS's Style Wars from 1983. The film includes commentary from prominent New York City graffiti writers like Seen and Cope2, and it pays tribute to local figures such as Dream One, a pioneer in the San Francisco graffiti scene. The documentary is divided into three segments. The first segment lays the groundwork for understanding San Francisco's graffiti, while the second segment focuses on the credibility within the graffiti community and the transition from text to imagery. The final segment presents various perspectives on graffiti, including opinions from citizens and law enforcement, as well as artists' confessions about their passion for graffiti art and its ephemeral nature.

Why Watch

  • See the evolution of graffiti from 1980 to 2004.
  • Meet influential artists like Dream One and Renos.
  • Find out how graffiti shapes public opinion in San Francisco.

Did You Know

The film covers graffiti culture in San Francisco from 1980 to 2004.
Dream One was a key figure in Bay Area urban welfare activism.
The documentary features commentary from graffiti writers like Seen and Cope2.

Perfect For

Graffiti enthusiastsUrban art loversDocumentary fans