Name and Occupation

Street art moved from subversive act to global industry in under 50 years. What began as unsigned graffiti on New York subway cars in the 1970s is now commissioned by city governments, collected by major museums, and sold at auction for millions.

The shift accelerated in 2008 when institutions like the Tate Modern and MOCA Los Angeles staged major street art exhibitions—signaling formal acceptance by the art establishment. Social media accelerated it further. Instagram removed the gallery as gatekeeper. Artists could build global audiences directly from the wall.

Cities followed. Municipal governments in Amsterdam, New York, and beyond began commissioning murals to revitalize neighbourhoods, drive tourism, and claim the walls before someone else did.

The tension hasn’t gone away. Unsanctioned graffiti remains illegal in most cities. The line between vandalism and public art is still drawn by whoever holds the permit—or the power.

The most interesting stories in street art live in that gap. The mural commissioned one week and demolished the next. The artist celebrated abroad and prosecuted at home. The neighbourhood revitalized by murals it never asked for. Cultural appropriation. The economics of fame. The impact of globalization on local scenes. All of it sits inside that same contradiction.

This documentary goes into that gap. It covers the artists and their daily hustle—the legal battles, the negotiation with city officials, the difference between a commissioned wall and a stolen one. What drives people to work in a medium that can be painted over overnight.

The film tracks the scene across Europe, and North America —tracing the shift from illegal writing to global industry.

Coming this Fall 2026.

Status: Final Production Phase (2014–2026). Check back for live field notes.

The Search is Over | March 15, 2026

In 2014, I started documenting graffiti stories. For twelve years, it lived under the working title street art doc—a placeholder that was functional, but hollow. It didn’t have the grit. It didn’t have the soul.

Unsanctioned Art

Today, the project finally found its voice.

New York City Street Art — Walls, boroughs, and the city that turned graffiti into an export.

Paint and Beer Amsterdam — The Dutch scene and the culture around it.

Dutch Mural Demolition — What happens when the city tears the wall down.

House of PainT Canada — Ottawa’s annual street art festival and the community it built.

Documentaries — Complete NAO documentary collection

The post Unsanctioned Art appeared first on Name and Occupation.

Reillanne does not feel like a tourist trap because it isn’t one. While the rest of the Luberon gets polished for the seasonal crowds, this village remains a working community. It sits within the Luberon Regional Nature Park in Southern France, a massive 185,000-hectare expanse recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve. The designation isn’t just for show; it protects a landscape of profound geology and biodiversity. Reillanne itself dates back to the medieval era. At its highest point, the 12th-century Chapelle Saint-Denis stands as a silent stone sentinel, offering a panoramic view that explains exactly why this ridge was settled nearly a thousand years ago.

The village serves as a tactical base for exploring the deeper, more intellectual corners of the region. Nearby, St-Michel-l’Observatoire houses one of the most active astronomical observatories in France. The dark skies of the Luberon are a protected resource, making it a critical site for cosmic research. Twenty kilometers to the east, you find Simiane-la-Rotonde, a hilltop village famous for its 12th-century Romanesque rotunda and intoxicating perfume gardens.

For those chasing the ghosts of the Church, Avignon is an 81-kilometer drive west. The Palais des Papes, built in the 14th century, stands as a massive fortress that once served as the seat of the Catholic world. You can still walk the ruins of the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the 12th-century bridge where only four of the original twenty-two arches survived the river’s fury. To the south, the city of Marseille offers a different kind of intensity. Founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, it is the oldest city in the country. The Calanques National Park runs along its coast, a jagged series of limestone inlets accessible only by boat or a grueling hike.

The heart of Reillanne is a network of narrow cobblestone lanes winding between honey-toned stone houses. You enter the upper village through the Porte Saint-Pierre, the ancient gateway that has survived centuries of conflict. Unlike the sanitized “Disney” version of Provence found elsewhere, Reillanne feels lived-in. The Sunday market in the central square is the weekly pulse of the valley. It smells of herbes de Provence, aged goat cheeses, and local honey. This isn’t a market for souvenirs; it’s where the locals buy their groceries and drink rosé from the surrounding vineyards. The pace is slow by design. Reillanne has intentionally resisted major tourist infrastructure, functioning as a home first and a destination second.

The terrain around the village is a patchwork of lavender fields, ancient oak forests, and silvery olive terraces. In the summer, the Luberon plateau turns a deep purple as the lavender comes into bloom. The light here has a specific, shifting quality that has drawn painters to the region for over a century. It is a light that clarifies the landscape rather than softening it. To the north, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence rise sharply. In under an hour, you can move from the warmth of the olive groves to high-altitude mountain trails and ski resorts. It is a landscape of extremes, hidden behind a veneer of Provençal calm.

Travel Vlog

We explore Reillanne on foot, from the steep climb to Chapelle Saint-Denis to the hidden courtyards tucked off the main paths. Drone footage captures the immense scale of the Luberon—the oak forests, the lavender plateaus, and the looming mountain backdrop. We also cover the Alps, showing the stark contrast between the snow line and the warm valley floor below. Together, these perspectives show a region that is far more complex than the postcards suggest.

For accommodation in the area, Vacances en Luberon is the NAO recommendation.

Your new flight deals have landed

The post IN-DEPTH Provence appeared first on Name and Occupation.

The Land of the Brave

It isn’t just the rugged peaks of the Highlands or the haunting beauty. It’s the feeling of standing where ancient clans once stood. It’s the smell of peat smoke in a hidden Islay distillery. It’s the secret stories whispered in the stones of medieval Edinburgh. From the vibrant folk melodies of Celtic Connections, there is a magic here that simply cannot be found anywhere else. Are you ready to discover why this land “lives long in the soul” of every traveler who visits?

In this lively podcast chat, Andre spills the beans on his eight-day getaway to Scotland—flying in, electric car for left-side thrills, and even fixing a family shed.

Dive into Edinburgh’s charming old streets, the Grassmarket’s historic vibes, and jaw-dropping spots like the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel (think Knights Templar, Holy Grail legends). Marvel at the gravity-powered Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift.

For the foodies: Embark on a mouthwatering fish and chips adventure, served old-school in newspaper). No pickle or mustard for Andre, but that crispy goodness near St Andrews? Total highlight!

Weather report: Typically wet and Dutch-like, but they lucked out with unheard-of sunny streaks for 5-6 days straight—perfect for hikes, photos popping with Braveheart-style views from Falkland.

Scotland’s laid-back locals, stunning green landscapes—absolutely gorgeous countryside, quaint villages, and breathtaking Highland beauty—and great vibes made it unforgettable— But that’s just the tip of the kilt! Tune in for stories, fun facts, and why Andre’s calling it a great adventure. Watch now — you might grab shovels for that buried treasure…

Don’t forget: Save 25% or more on select hotels

Scotland – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Edinburgh – What You Need to Know Before You Go

American entrepreneur XRPP, also known as PP, appeared in an episode that gets into the real mechanics of blockchain gaming. What it is, why it matters, and where Zerpaay World fits in. As the mind behind Zerpaay, XRPP is at the forefront of a shift in how games are built and played. As the mind behind Zerpaay, XRPP is at the forefront of a revolution in the gaming industry. The company operates in both Luxembourg and the United States. Creating a decentralized gaming ecosystem that seeks to redefine how games are created and played.

In the episode “Zerpaay World: The Future of Blockchain Gaming is Here,” XRPP breaks down why crypto belongs in gaming. The argument is straightforward. Decentralized platforms remove the middleman, give players real ownership of in-game assets, and create economic opportunities. Play, earn, own. That’s the model.

XRPP began the episode by sharing insights into his journey as a crypto enthusiast. Beyond his work in gaming, he is also a recognized satirist on X. He often blends humor with sharp insights into the intricacies of XRP and the broader blockchain landscape. This combination of skills allows him to engage with both the technical aspects and the crypto community.

The episode blends satire with genuine insight. XRPP knows the space well enough to laugh at it and build in it at the same time. His thought-provoking commentary, XRPP makes a compelling case for the role of blockchain in gaming. Envision a world where play is not just a pastime but a potential source of income and creativity. This is a must-watch for blockchain enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone curious about the technology and entertainment.

Video Game Developper

Name: PP aka XRPP – Occupation: Crypto Entrepreneur
Location: United States

https://x.com/xrp_productions

FEATURE STORY

XRPP built a parody account modelled on The Onion. The target: Ripple and XRP. The format: fake news, absurdist headlines, crypto hype taken to its logical extreme.

One story landed bigger than expected. A fake announcement about Ripple partnering with Apple went viral inside the crypto community. A TikTok influencer picked it up and ran with it. Millions of followers saw it. XRP’s price briefly spiked. It was entirely a joke. The market didn’t get the memo.

One prank caught crypto influencer BitBoy live on stream — he fell for it in real time in front of his audience. The clip spread. The account grew. The XRP parody is still running today. Satirical articles, fake partnerships, crypto culture skewered on a regular basis. It built a genuine following by being the thing the space needed — someone willing to laugh at it.

Zerpaay is a play-to-earn Web3 gaming platform built on the XRP Ledger. The idea is simple: players earn crypto through gameplay, own their in-game assets via NFTs, and can trade them freely on the open market. Real ownership. Real value. Not locked inside a closed ecosystem that disappears when the servers go down.

The platform is compatible with ETH, BTC, SOL, and USDT. It works across multiple EVM chains. Wallet connectivity is built in. Smart contracts handle in-game mechanics without third-party involvement.

Casual gamers and experienced Web3 users are both catered for. Skill-based progression rewards improvement over time. The multichain economy supports a wide range of tokens. No technical background required to get started.

Traditional gaming gives you nothing when you stop playing. Zerpaay gives you assets. That’s the difference.

https://www.zerpaay.com/

The post Zerpaay Gaming appeared first on Name and Occupation.

OUR HISTORY FOLDER

ANONYMOUS REALITY: Erik Nieminen (2020) Official Documentary
https://youtu.be/0niM3ym3n8A

The Roaring 20s Paris | NAO IN-DEPTH The Lost Generation https://youtu.be/-jAO7sXJ10U

The sun also rises at Le Select Montparnasse | NAO IN-DEPTH Ernest Hemingway’s Paris
https://youtu.be/I2zjgxdtRak

New York City Street Art – #5 Name and Occupation
https://youtu.be/SL3I7kHpdS0

Uncovering the Coffee Revolution: NAO IN-DEPTH https://youtu.be/BoU-BNxF27k

Qi Gong Magic | NAO IN-DEPTH
https://youtu.be/1yQGPmKacQY

After Show: The American Artist Andy Warhol Story Part 1 | In-depth Clips
https://youtu.be/AGvNctfvhKY

The After Show: The American Artist Andy Warhol Story Part 2
https://youtu.be/ghDpHkHZfDQ

Afghanistan’s Beautiful Art: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips https://youtu.be/G8acte17_g0

Qi Gong Magic | NAO IN-DEPTH
https://youtu.be/1yQGPmKacQY

Cobra Medicine Wine: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/zeFyC9nMCpo

Japanese Emperors, Pufferfish & Raves: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/tVvKEzjmINk

Who are the Voyageurs? NAO IN-DEPTH CANADA (Short-history) https://youtu.be/sTRd4ZiZ67k

Floating tribe of Lake Titicaca : NAO IN-DEPTH Clips (PERU)
https://youtu.be/HL8ERgUNhac

ABBEY ROAD & THE BRITISH INVASION
https://youtu.be/wR05LJdx1lw

LOS ANGELES: music history commentary | NAO IN-DEPTH
https://youtu.be/paWPWpF53pg

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ (Short-History) NAO IN-DEPTH MUSIC
https://youtu.be/xjVVak9slkI

MISSISSIPPI BLUES (Short-History) NAO IN-DEPTH MUSIC
https://youtu.be/UlIr7T813Kc

NY PUNK-ROCK (Short-History) NAO IN-DEPTH MUSIC https://youtu.be/rKhUsz-wJuE

NY HIP HOP (Short-History) NAO IN-DEPTH MUSIC
https://youtu.be/BWYE7iJPnkM

What made MuchMusic special? (THE BACKSTORY) NAO IN-DEPTH CANADA https://youtu.be/DcA67cslr_c

Montreal Steak Spice: MUSIC BACKSTORY | NAO IN-DEPTH (Schwartz) CANADA
https://youtu.be/Aoi9XTe-bv8

Random ROCK Stories: NAO IN-DEPTH Music Analysis https://youtu.be/jBKOSiHSR30

https://nameandoccupation.com/2024/01/11/music-stories/

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/06/21/nao-in-depth-music/

Diving into everything Spain via the music, the food and in-depth interviews.

Algeria De La Vida

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/algeria-de-la-vida-bed-breakfast-malaga/

NAO IN-DEPTH Malaga (SPAIN) Algeria De La Vida Bed & Breakfast
https://youtu.be/FPgOVmYACi0

Pamplona BULL RUN | NAO IN-DEPTH SPAIN with Paul Bower
https://youtu.be/fJLXr9zZOMM

Diving into everything we have about expats via in-depth interviews.

Albert Frantz

https://nameandoccupation.com/2024/05/31/albert-frantz/

Luisa Machacón

https://nameandoccupation.com/2024/04/02/luisa-machacon/

Rixt Ferkranus

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/26/vacances-en-luberon-provence/

Julia Gindra

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/julia-gindra-dessert-first/

Antonietta De Giovanni

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/antonietta-de-giovanni/

Olivia Baudet

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/olivia-baudet/

Kwan Prasarnpan

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/kwan-prasarnpan/

André Quesnel

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/andre-quesnel/

https://blackvinylpublishing.gumroad.com/

Diving into everything we have about traveling via backstories and in-depth interviews.

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/12/nao-in-depth-france/

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/26/nao-in-depth-paris/

The sun also rises at Le Select Montparnasse | NAO IN-DEPTH Ernest Hemingway’s Paris
https://youtu.be/I2zjgxdtRak

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/24/nao-in-depth-terracina/

Paul Bower: Pamplona, Spain

Pamplona BULL RUN | NAO IN-DEPTH SPAIN | interview with Paul Bower https://youtu.be/fJLXr9zZOMM?si=0rUB_fx2E2o2tvQ3

Full Interview

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/26/paul-bower/

https://nameandoccupation.com/2022/04/22/in-depth-europe/

https://nameandoccupation.com/2022/04/21/in-depth-asia/

Teaching in Vietnam: NAO IN-DEPTH Interview with Myrthe Duursma
https://youtu.be/rUOQuJde-VM

Cobra Medicine Wine: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/zeFyC9nMCpo

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/kwan-prasarnpan/

https://nameandoccupation.com/2023/12/25/marlene-doepner/

What to expect climbing Machu Picchu… | NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/7UtR-o656TI

Half a year on 17$/day in South America: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/9uBaqHZgkbs

Floating tribe of Lake Titicaca : NAO IN-DEPTH Clips (PERU)
https://youtu.be/HL8ERgUNhac

Costa Rican Road-Trip Report #7 Name and Occupation
https://youtu.be/k5g4YYhxS_Y

https://nameandoccupation.com/2022/10/18/nao-in-depth-north-america/

South African Embassy: NAO IN-DEPTH Interview with Canadian Denyse Racine
https://youtu.be/jXxkV75s1ZM

Egyptian camel tour warning: NAO IN-DEPTH Clips
https://youtu.be/5mxev3UeXao

https://nameandoccupation.com/2022/05/31/in-depth-africa/

https://blackvinylpublishing.gumroad.com/