Rash (film)

Rash, written RASH, is a 2005 Australian documentary film, directed by Nicholas Hansen. Its subject is contemporary urban Australia and the artists who are making it a host for illegal street art. With the tagline 'Scratch it and it spreads', Rash explores the cultural value of unsanctioned public art and the ways that street art and graffiti contribute to public dialogue.

Directed by Nicholas Hansen and Mutiny Media, Rash was three years in the making and includes interviews with many of Melbourne's inspired street art and graffiti artists as well as visitors who came to Melbourne and leave their mark. Rash is the first feature-length documentary in Australia to focus on the new art form of street art.

Filming began in 2002 on this documentary, which conveys the commitment, ideals and beliefs demonstrated in Melbourne street art. Artists use a variety of approaches including bill posters, stencils, and performance art put the artwork right in the public eye.

The film was made in the lead up to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Before the games local councils were juggling the need to present a clean and safe city for visitors against the enthusiastic activities of street and graffiti artists. A similar response was later observed in the lead up to the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

In Rash the spirit of rebellion is channeled into street art and the visual conversations are spread across the walls of Melbourne. Rash offers a rare look inside these graffiti artists world-view.

The musical soundtrack was created by Ryan Ritchie and band True Live. The band was made up of MC Rhyno, Thomas Butt (double bass), Tamil Rogeon (violin), Tim Blake (cello), Ivan Khatchoyan (drums) and Thai Mattus (keys).

A 2006 review stated 'It is this rare spotlight on this hidden subculture that makes Rash so fascinating and potentially illuminating to those who view graffiti artists as merely vandals. In fact, it is this misconception of the graffiti artist and their role in society that Hansen's film centrally explores. Rash reveals that Melbourne's graffiti subculture is not only a very tight knit community where everyone knows what each other is doing. It is also governed by a set of 'street etiquette'’.

Prior to its 2006 TV broadcast in Australia Sacha Molitorisz of The Age newspaper reviewed the film saying 'This fresh documentary explores Melbourne's flourishing graffiti subculture.' Other notable screenings include the 17 August 2008 event of documentaries programmed in the 'Street Art' exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. Archival footage from Rash was licensed to Banksy's film production company Paranoid Pictures for the opening montage of documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010).

Featured artists include Chali 2na, Civilian Dest, Dominic Allen, Fers, Fliq (BurnCrew), Ha-Ha, Dlux AKA James Dodd, KAB 101, Kano, Lister, Meek, Miles Allinson, Prism, Psalm, Reka, Shida, Sixten, Snog, Sync, Tai Snaith, Tower, and Vexta.

The Rash DVD extras include short films: Girls Do Street Art, Gallery VS Street, Drawing Room, Phibs, Urban Express – Short Film 2004, Shepard Fairey (Interview) OBEY GIANT USA, SCIEN (Interview 8.5 mins), 123Klan – France.

Awards

 * Best Australian Documentary, 2005, Film Critics Circle of Australia
 * Runner up Audience Favourite Documentary, 2005 Melbourne International Film Festival