> ## 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.

# Graffiti Writers Start a Game of Tag with LA's MOCA
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/graffiti-moca/
- Published: 2011-04-12T03:30:19.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:41:02.000Z
- Description: Raise your hand if you're not surprised that LA's Museum of Contemporary Art is getting tagged by a whole bunch of graffiti writers because of the upcoming Art in the Streets show? Well, Katsu is doing his part on the heels of an attention-grabbing faux MoMA/Nike ad series he pulled off in New York
- Author: Hrag Vartanian
- Tags: Opinion, #image-position-hidden, Katsu, LA Raw, Street Art, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-17 09:23 (2009-2011)

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/04/katsu_moca_600.jpg "katsu_moca_600")](http://12ozprophet.com/index.php/news/katsu%5Fagain?ref=hyperallergic.com)

Should we have all expected that LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art would get tagged by graffiti writers before the upcoming [*Art in the Streets*](https://hyperallergic.com/graffiti-art-in-the-streets-roger-gastman/) show? Yah, probably, so Katsu’s hijinx shouldn’t be a surprise after he pulled off an attention-grabbing [faux MoMA/Nike ad series](http://dopeambition.com/2011/04/nike-moma-endorse-katsu-telephone-booth-graffiti/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in New York a few weeks ago.

According to [12ozProphet](http://12ozprophet.com/index.php/news/katsu%5Fagain?ref=hyperallergic.com), the Katsu fire extinguisher tag has some supporters in the upcoming museum show:

> Rumor has it that as the MoCA authorities are trying to get the tag buffed before the exhibition this week, efforts are being made by Neckface, Barry McGee and Shepard Fairey to leave it be for the duration of the event.

This isn’t the first tag on the MOCA building in an effort to welcome the *Art in the Streets* show with some street cred. A much smaller tag appeared on the back of the building a few weeks ago with the following *Apocalypse Now*\-inspired words, “[Charlie Don’t Surf](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie%5FDon't%5FSurf?ref=hyperallergic.com).” I’m assuming the tags are not by Charlie Sheen, but you never know.</sarcasm>

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/04/mocatag600.jpg "mocatag600")

Let’s just hope Katsu doesn’t ever try [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%5FrEu50n8EDA&ref=hyperallergic.com).

*Hat tip* [*Animal NY*](http://animalnewyork.com/2011/04/katsu-adds-some-relevance-to-moca-exhibit/?ref=hyperallergic.com)*. Bottom image source: LA Raw*