David Ellis is here in Austin for a few more weeks working on a project with University of Texas at Austin's new visuals arts center. Last Saturday, however, he took a break from his campus studio and came out to Co-Lab for a grill out, some cold ones, and to paint a pretty picture.
The night ended in a monsoon-like storm that kept any additional work on the piece (if there was going to be any) from being done, but I personally love Ellis' happy little otters, if that's what they are.
Perhaps I'm just feeling nostalgic because David Ellis is in town and I still stop every once in awhile and think to myself "MUTO is the best thing ever!" before going about my day, but I have to say I found this little stop motion bit quite interesting.
I didn't know who Broken Fingaz was until a little internet research revealed them to be a graffiti crew from Haifa, Israel. I was surprised, not only because what I saw reminded me of the West Coast, but also because what I hear about Israel is more about established street & graffiti artists going in, not new artists coming out. I think I'm going to keep my eye on these guys...
If you made it through yesterday without hearing someone talk about Jesus, bunnies, and candy in a confused sort of way then I'm impressed. That hasn't happened to me in years. Ron English cashed in on the mixed iconography of the holiday with the "Ascension of Santa" complete with its own unique soundtrack.
This summer London will witness what is being hailed as the largest public art exhibition ever to grace the city streets. In May, June, and July 2010, over 250 elephants will be paraded through the city dressed to the nines and decorated by a variety of artists and celebrities. At the end of the parade they will be auctioned off by Sotheby's, and the sales are not only to increase someone's collection, but the proceeds will also benefit a wonderful cause: the preservation of the Indian Elephant.
The Asian Elephant population has plummeted in the last 100 years, hovering at 25,000-30,000 down from 200,000. These creatures are in danger of poachers looking to collect their ivory tusks and also by loss of habitat due to human habitation. This parade was organized to increase the public's awareness of the danger this animal faces everyday.
For an more information on the parade click HERE and for a taste of whats to come watch the video below to see what the founders of artist collective The Treatment Rooms, Baroness Carrie von Reichardt and Mr Spunky, are doing with their elephant "Phoolan."
The battle between Banksy and Robbo is still raging, with comments on both sides by old School Graffiti writers and the "new comers," the street artist, and almost everyone has a strong opinion, (see the numerous comments on flickr).
Gaia has spoken his mind in an article featured in Juxtapoz and has some interesting thoughts. He feels there is a love/hate relationship raging between graffiti artists and street artists, and as a street artist himself, states that while we lost the original Robbo piece, new light was shed on the historic tag and perhaps now people who never would have known who it was will now remember Robbo.
Many of you have probably seen the recent Banksy which appeared before Christmas in Camden. The classic Banksy figure is seen pasting up a replica of a piece done in 1885 by Robbo, one of the "founding fathers" of the graffiti movement in the 80's. Was this a nice homage to the work of Banksy's predecessors? The old school graffiti writers think not. This piece has stirred up some major controversy and some irate artists.
(original Robbo, 1985)
Robbo was quick to retaliate, apparently wading out into the canal on Christmas day to produce his own piece, a visual punch in the face aimed towards Banksy. Although the result was a resurgence of Robbo supporters, that was clearly not what Banksy intended. Banksy is known for calling out the major and minor evils he sees in the world, creating scenes where Tesco bags are put on pedestals and cops are in questionable situations. To at Robbo to his repertoire is an unusual move, and obviously not well received. What are your thoughts?
In the art world, big is usually better. Willard Wigan, however, is going against the grain with his micro-sculptures. His exhibition at the Parish Gallery in Georgetown, Art in the Eye of a Needle, does exactly what it says, displaying shockingly detailed sculptures smaller than little peas.
Wigan uses microscopes, bright lights, and pinpointed tools to create this little masterpieces, working only at night to avoid the vibrations of traffic. He started making micro-sculptures when he was a child. "I started to believe ants needed a place to live," he said. Check out more of Wigan's works HERE.
Welcome to yet another Art Blog, hopefully one of the more interesting ones. Here I hope to catalog casual observations, moral outrages, and pretty pictures that happen to pass by my life. It will be an interesting mix, in my personal opinion. I studied ancient art history, fell in love with street art, and work in the contemporary art world; its a confusing mix that I am constantly assuring myself will pay off big time at some point in my life. So welcome: that is me and this is my blog.
