> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A Punk Take on The Wizard of Oz Screens in a Massive Graffiti Installation - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/a-punk-take-on-the-wizard-of-oz-screens-in-a-massive-graffiti-installation/ - Published: 2017-04-20T23:05:35.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T16:41:17.000Z - Description: Wastedland 2 ask the existential question “What else is there?” — in this case, referring to anything that isn’t painting, getting high, or sleeping. - Author: Tod Seelie - Tags: Art, Photo Essays, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:23 (2016, 2017, part 2) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-20.jpg) Wolftits stands in the midst of the crowd during a screening of Wastedland 2 (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic) If, on a recent Saturday night, you happened to find yourself walking down a desolate street at the edge of L.A.’s Skid Row, you might have passed an open warehouse roll gate in a building displaying a [Swoon](https://hyperallergic.com/tag/swoon/) mural on the exterior. Inside that warehouse, you would have immediately encountered a giant multi-eyed upside-down alien next to a wolf serving fresh popcorn. A film was screening deep inside the space, and if you made your way past the small shack with a roof made of compressed spray cans — and didn’t trip over another pile of empty paint cans with a small metal chimney spewing glittery cloud letters — you would have joined a room full of people watching [*Wastedland 2*](https://wastedland2.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), the most recent work by punk filmmaker Andrew H. Shirley. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-1-1.jpg) Wastedland 2, installation view ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-9.jpg) Andrew H. Shirley, “Anything Helps…,” hobo shack theatre, with Greg Henderson, “This Wasted Land” in the background ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-5.jpg) Ryan C Doyle and UFO 907, “I Started Writing Graffiti in 1994 and I’ve Been Addicted Ever Since”; Rambo 907, “Writing on the Wall” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-14.jpg) A character from the film She Wolf distributes free popcorn from a custom cart at the screening of Wastedland 2 The warehouse, better known as [Superchief Gallery](https://www.instagram.com/superchiefgallery?ref=hyperallergic.com), is hosting the film’s accompanying massive site-specific graffiti installation, also called *Wastedland 2*, through the end of the month. The show features work by a string of infamous graffiti artists, including [UFO 907](https://www.instagram.com/ufo907/?ref=hyperallergic.com), [RAMBO](https://www.instagram.com/ldlr33/?ref=hyperallergic.com), [DARKCLOUD](https://www.instagram.com/darkcloudsnyc/?ref=hyperallergic.com), [WOLFTITS](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/wolftits907/?ref=hyperallergic.com), and [Adam VOID](http://adamvoid.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com). UFO 907 provided many of the standout pieces, from the giant alien that greets you at the entrance (which you can climb inside) to the motorized, spray-can-wielding sculpture (which plays a major role in the film) to the animated piece “Neon UFO” lurking in the back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-7.jpg) Amy Smalls and George Vidas, “Neon UFO” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-25.jpg) Wastedland 2, installation view ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-24.jpg) Screening attendees inside “The Beginning If Not The End…” The film itself resembles a post-apocalyptic, beer-and-weed-fueled buddy road trip evoking Dorothy’s journey in *The Wizard of Oz*. The mythical character UFO 907 stands in for the wizard, and the roles of Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are played by a wolf, an amoeba, and a cranky cat, respectively. The narrative revolves around the oft-repeated existential question “What else is there?” — in this case, referring to anything that isn’t painting, getting high, or sleeping. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-16.jpg) Wolftits stands in the crowd during the screening ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-21.jpg) Attendees watch Wastedland 2 This version of the installation is part of a nationwide tour that has already seen shows in an [old Ford factory](https://massappeal.com/wastedland-2-turns-detroit-factory-into-graffiti-wonderland/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in Detroit, an [art gallery](http://richmondmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/galleries/gallery5-graffiti-exhibition/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in Richmond, VA, and a [guerilla show under a bridge](http://info.umkc.edu/unews/wastedland-2-artists-bring-unique-film-screening-to-kansas-city/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in Kansas City, MO, with a different mix of art each time. In an interview with *Mass Appeal*, Shirley, whose work has been shown at PS1 and the Museum of Sex, said*,* “I have explored punk aesthetics in various mediums, and filmmaking is one of them. It’s a challenge to incorporate the design and psychology of graffiti into a film and have it be relatable to both graffiti writers and the average person.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-4.jpg) Rambo, “Enter to Tame” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-12.jpg) Greg Henderson, “What Else is There,” detail ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-15.jpg) Wolftits, “Free Popcorn,” detail ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-18.jpg) Wastedland 2, installation view ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/04/wastedland2-superchiefgallery-todseelie-3.jpg) Wolftits costume by Briana Barber and Wolftits The [tour](https://wastedland2.com/tour/?ref=hyperallergic.com) will continue up the West Coast and across the Midwest, culminating with its biggest show and event in New York City in September. [WASTEDLAND 2: 2017 TRAILER](https://vimeo.com/147150111?ref=hyperallergic.com) from [andrew h. shirley](https://vimeo.com/andrewhshirley?ref=hyperallergic.com) on [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com).