Valerie Hegarty: The Art of Destruction

When we think of art, we are usually thinking of the creation of new ideas. Valerie Hegarty has something else in mind.  Hegarty's work  focuses on the demolition of the old rather than the creation of the new.  She has collected canvases and antiques in fairly good condition and then proceeds to burn, rip, melt, tear, shoot at, and crack them into sorry conditions; creating new pieces that seem to hover on the verge of death.  Hegarty's work makes a violent statement about chaotic state that lies underneath our seemingly civilized world.  Well done.

 

 

Graffiti Artists Care about Health Care Too

We have all heard about Obama's Health Care Reform Video Challenge right?  Well if you haven't than you need to go outside more often.  The competition is down to the final 20 videos and voting is taking place now.  One of the top twenty is Saber a graffiti arts out of LA.  His video is simple, effective, and a creative way to express his concern doing what he does best.

He is asking for your votes so go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hrvcvideos/ to view the vidoes.  They are only 30 seconds each, so won't even take up that much of your day!  Each person can only vote ONCE for each video, and you have to vote for ALL 20 videos for your vote to count. Help support change!!

Francesco Clemente's Puzzle Pieces

Francesco Clemente is having a solo show at the Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris.  This Italian artist who now lives and works in NY is known for his figurative works that mix eastern symbolism, the Romanticism of William Blake, and the Italian Renaissance into his dream like figurative pieces.  These new works, all watercolor on paper, seem to be reminiscent of waking after a vivid dream.  Bright, colorful snap shots of figures and situations  appear in a jumble and do not form a cohesive whole, no matter how much we struggle to put the pieces together.  For more images and the press release, click HERE. 

MINGA! by Bastardilla

Bastardilla, a Colombian street artist, recently created this very politically charged piece.  She is trying to bring attention to MINGA, a peaceful protest in which the different regional groups of Columbia march together to bring attention to the native people of the land and the protection that is needed for their sacred land.  

Bastardilla says: “Minga: In ‘Kichwa’ a dialect from the Amazon, means work or community actions, collective and solidarity."

“This year, MINGA also proposes - as part of the Global Minga - the construction of a Climatic Justice Court, that judges the foreign companies and governments that work with them; that prey on Mother Nature, looting her natural resources and make vulnerable the respect and defense to the right of life.”

Her work, representing a native woman who is not only carrying the youth of the country safely, but also  supporting the roof of the building she is painted on.   Although she is carrying a heavy burden, she seems quite content. 

Giant Critters by Roa

Roa  is a street artist who lives and works in Ghent Belgium.  He made a name for himself recently with his Urban Jungle, a maze of larger than life animals who lurked about the twists and turns of an abandoned building in Roa's hometown.  It seems Roa has been busy in Shoreditch, London lately(my old stomping grounds!).  There is quite an array of animals, from the usual city critters such as rats, birds, and squirrels, to the fairly rare urban boar.  I think it really spices up the neighborhood, I would mind a few of those over on this side of the pond.

 

Chairman Ting, Bicycle Wall Art

Chairman Ting - Bicycle wall art from carsonting on Vimeo.

Chairman Ting (known in the business world as Carson Ting)is a Vancouver based artist who runs an experimental art/illustration studio out of his apartment.  Its a fun use of a bike, and the only good use for one in my opinion.  Although you may be thinking, another time elapse video?  Why??  The reason this is worth watching is not just because the end result is flying bunnies and octopuses, but because here we get to see the artists' process and get a feel for how pieces are created without hanging around for 10 hours.  Plus, notice his pet bunny that bounces in and out of the scene while he paints?? I mean come on...how can you beat that? 

Lucy and Bart will Grow on You

  Grow on You

Lucy and Bart, a collaboration between Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, seem to have a fascination with genetic manipulation.  Working with the ideas of body mutations, versions of true beauty, and the evolution of the human race, these two have put out an impressive catalog of weird forecasts for the human race.   These images are colorful, thought-provoking, and have that "eww" factor that keeps you coming back for more. 

Exploded View

Dripping Color

Evolution

Damon Ginandes on the Streets of NY

Damon Ginandes has created some interesting characters in New York.  His monotone creations are meant to symbolize "the portraits of souls," who weave in and out of layers and shards Ginandes creates in the wall.  Although clearly 2D, Ginandes has created another dimension, and his figures are caught somewhere in between.  See below for more views of his new work Virgil. 

 

Nazi Gnomes, Just When you Least Expect it.

We have all seen them lurking about in the lawns and gardens around us.  They seem cute, maybe weird, but definitely not controversial.  Germany, in fact, has over 25 million of them littered across the country. (I feel sorry for whoever had to come up with that number)  The garden gnome was created to be a friendly little creature hiding in the shrubbery, greeting whoever may pass by.

Then Ottmar Hörl came along.  Now with his installation in Straubing titled Dance with the Devil, he is covered a square in Bavaria town with 1,250 little gnomes, all giving us the Nazi Salute.  The show, meant as a satirical comment on the rise of fascism, have caused controversy in German, a country that is still (understandably) sensitive to such issues.  Hörl claims he was trying to show that there is a little far-right in all of us, and the gnomes provided an unpatronizing platform for this statement. 

I have to say, I didn't see this one coming, but I'm liking the original idea behind it.  That being said, I'm still not a fan of gnomes in general. 

Donato Sansone: Strange, yet Awesome Animation

VIDEOGIOCO by Donato Sansone from Enrico Ascoli - Sound Design on Vimeo.


There are a lot of animated bits out there at the moment, and although there are a few gems, most seem be to doing the same old thing. Donato Sansone has definitely broken the mold with this piece here however.  Taken us back to the day when paper flip-books were all the rage and then stepping it up a notch, this time consuming animated short is surely a success.

Something Old Something New: Agan Harahap

Agan Harahap is a self-taught photographer and illustrator from Jakarta, Indonesia. Besides working for TRAX, an Indonesian music mag, Harahap has been completing his latest photographic project.  Called 'Super Hero,' the work is made up of political and wartime scenes from the mid 20th century with the addition of one Super Hero interloper.  Its no sloppy, cut out, mish mash photoshop creation, this work has a little class to go along with the humor.  The figures are well matched as well, is it wrong that I can totally picture Batman as Castro's Adviser?

 

 

Green Day, Making the Rounds

There has been a lot of talk about the recent Green Day Album turned musical, and they band is now ready to shift gears yet again, as it organizes an art exhibition in London.  The show, on view Oct. 23 at the Stolen Space Gallery,  will concentrate around art inspired from the band's new Album, 21st Century Break Down.  It will feature 21 original works, all commissioned by Green Day themselves. 

The show will be curated by Logan Hicks, a stencil artist out of NY that has recently been feature by yours truly for his work with Nuart.  In an interview posted on Green Day's website, Hicks said: "I chose artists who I felt had a similar visual approach to art as Green Day does to its music. ... Although most of the artists represented are well-established in their careers, they embrace the same emotional rawness with their art, which speaks from the heart and swings with the fist."The show will feature such artists as Will Barras, Ron English, The London Police, and stencil artist C215.

When I first heard about the exhibition, I was a little skeptical, but considering the curator and the contributors I am actually finding myself quite intrigued.  All I can say is that I might need to move back to jolly old England.

This Just in: Damien Hirst Sucks at Painting

Damien Hirst is arguably one of the most iconic artists of our time.  His flashy pieces, whose central themes are related to death, have caused media frenzy and scored outlandish prices at auction. He is known for his plethora of assistance who some say do the majority of the craft work, but that has all changed now.  From now until January 24, 2010 the public can see something new from Hirst: paintings from his own hand.  While this may sound like the opening of the century, it turns out that critics are labeling Hirst as a painter with elementary skill level, content that reeks of teenage angst, and a show that is more boring then shocking.  To make matter's worse, the exhibition is being held at the Wallace Collection, an institution that prides itself on the traditional content it collects and promotes. 

Why is all this happening you may ask??  The answer: Hirst is famous, REAL famous.  Too famous for even the Wallace Collection to pass up.  The exhibition, No Love Lose, Blue Paintings, consist of mostly black background with white ethereal images of skulls, butterflies, flowers, and flayed bodies.  They are described as flat and lifeless, and yet will surely draw a crowd regardless.  While Hirst is a creative artist who has taken his particular style to a new level, I feel a little iffy about handing out praises for everything he attempts, even for items way below standards, for only the sake of his fame.  For more images and an in depth review...click HERE

Mutate Britain, You wish you were there...

When I first wrote about One Foot in the Grove, I knew that it was pretty amazing, but it was hard to visualize all the mechanical creatures that Mutate Britain created specifically for the event.  Sure, I was told there was a fire breathing horse which kids could climb on for a short ride, but until you actually see it, its a bit hard to believe.  Thanks to the clip, directed by Charlie Inman, those of us stuck on this side of the pond have a better visual of this month long exhibition.  I wish I was there...don't you?

Peace Woman's Face Lift

Shepard Fairey visited Austin, TX in March 2009 for SxSw, the annul music fest. that turns an already weird city into a mass of confusion, long lines, and good music.  This paste-up (done in my own neighborhood might I ad), entitled Peace Woman, was one of the many installations Fairey put up in Austin, and one of the few to survive.  Although for awhile it sprung a third eye and tentacles (note the ghosting that still remains), it has since had a face lift to return it, somewhat, to its former glory.  I personally am glad we are saving it. 

Herakut at Artotale

Haunting images from Herakut at Artotale.

Everything is OK

The Love Police took to the streets in various London locations to let everyone know that things aren't that bad, that we can't believe everything the state tells us and that Police Officers deserve a hug no matter how annoyed or confused you happen to make them. Its not exactly urban art, but I consider it a performance and also hilarious, so here it is.....

Jeff Koons: Bringing the Giant Bunny to London

The Tate Modern's major autumn exhibition Pop Life: Art in a Material World has just opened and who better to help celebrate then Jeff Koons.  His giant 53 foot Helium balloon is now on display at Covant Garden, the first Koon's Balloon to travel across the pond.  Koons originally created the silver balloon for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2007, modeling it on his iconic stainless still Sculpture Rabbit, 1986. The original is on display in the Tate Modern, along with a clip of the balloons original flight down broadway. 


Rabbit is on display in the South Hall, Market Building, Covent Garden, London.

One Foot in the Grove

(Shok-1)

One of my all time favorite things about London is the street art that seem to pervade even the high end parts of the city.  The wide range exceptance of street art has fostered some incredible festivals, such as Cans, and this year One Foot in the Grove, put on by Mutate Britain.  The Festival opened yesterday, and apparently consisted of fire breathing animals ridden by little girls.  Sounds good to me.

Besides the sculptures and robots there are also freehand paintings, stencils, and paste-ups which are transforming a small section of Portobello Road into a street art enthusiast playground.  See below for more images.

artists participating: Joe Rush / Obey / Alex Wreckage / Fark FK / Dotmasters / Pete Dunne / Zeus / Snub / Cyclops / Sweet Toof / Best Ever / Part2ism / The Krah / Nick Walker / Teddy Baden / Dr D /Bleech / zadok / Giles Walker / Remi Rough / Bortusk Leer / Blam / Pure Evil / Milo / Andy Seize / Carrie Reichardt / Milk / Dora / Dep / Alex Fasko / Stickboy / Mr Insa / Mac1 / Miss Buggs / Strappa / Josephine / Mr Wim / Swarm / Misecellany / Joe Black / Auction Saboteur / Busk / Bonsai / Rabodiga / Shok1 /Probs

 (Larry!)

(Paul Insect)

 

 

(Dep)

Asbestos Lost Posters in Dublin

We have all seen those depressing posters adversting for lost pets or people or something that makes you feel sad inside.  On a brighter note, an artist in Dublin going by the name Asbestos has taken this sad sack poster and turned in into something that will surely either brighten your day or leave you a little bit confused.  See the short documentary by Charlie Inman on this project above, my personal fav the lost poster of a missing lost poster. 

Art on the Side of Justice

82-year old Bill "Weg" Green helped the police bring a man to justice using nothing but pen and paper.  Green, who has made his living drawing caricatures of football stars, said he rushed outside after hearing the swears and curses of a man who had broken into his house, and was attempting to steal Green's grandson's bicycle. 

Green approached the intruder, however "He tried to brush me aside, him being much bigger than me. I thought if I got into a fight, I'd lose my dressing gown and I'd end up starkers." Truer words were never spoken. 

After the police arrived Green quickly reached for his pad and pen, claiming he remembered the face of the intruder well enough to draw a picture for the police.  It turned out, he was right.  The police picked up the burglar 15 min. later for an unrelated crime, the drawing Green provided was so accurate the police were able to charge the man for burglary, theft, and unlawful assault. 

Shepard Fairey in Paris

 

Shepard Fairey has been touring Europe and has recently spread his propaganda in Paris.  Here are some quick pics from the Fondation Cartier where he has been working on the Born in the Street Graffiti Exhibition.  More to come on that later....

Shepard Fairey has been touring Europe and has recently spread his propaganda in Paris.  Here are some quick pics from the Fondation Cartier where he has been working on the Born in the Street Graffiti Exhibition.  More to come on that later....

American Knock Off?

Across from the Wrigley Building is Chicago's newest public art commission, J. Seward Johnson's God Bless America.  This 25 foot tall statue is an obvious knock off of Grant Wood's American Gothic, and iconic piece of American Art housed just down the street at the Art Institute of Chicago. The tourist seem to love it, clamoring onto the pedestal to have their picture taken with the towering couple,  however it is not without criticism.  Johnson is known for his life-like renditions of ordinary people doing ordinary things, so it is interesting why he chose this already famous image to recreate.  Although the painting is one of the gem's of the Institute's Collection and replicas are already wide spread, why create something so close to the original?  I personally would have preferred an original creation from this artist, however many feel that this pays homage to Grant Wood, to Chicago's fine art collection, and to the farmers of the Midwest. 

What do you think?

Jason Hackenwerth, How to turn Ballon Animals into $449k

Jason Hackenwerth never stopped loving balloons, and lets face it, he's not alone.  Inspired by sea creatures and plant life, this artist has taken balloons to a new extreme.  His creations look like the brightly colored, alien-like creatures found in coral reefs, if those creatures somehow grew to dinosaur proportions.  His newest piece aptly titled Ecstasy of the Scarlett Empress,  is currently contending for a $449,000 prize at Grand Rapids Artprize, online voting taking place now.  Click HERE to vote, or to see the other finalists. 

Joyce Pensato: Creepy Cartoons

Joyce Pensato, an artist who lives and works in New York, has her first solo show at the Capitain Petzel Gallery in Berlin. The show looks great, not only because of the gallery's name likening itself to Captain Pretzel, who I always assumed was German anyway, but mostly because of her creeped out images of the happy go lucky cartoon characters we have all loved since childhood.

Pensato takes the all too familiar images of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Homer Simpson and recreates them into predominantly black and white figures that lay in the realm between abstract expressionism and pop art.  The usually colorful, cheerful, or humorous characters become grotesque, and in some instances unrecognizable, turning our playful childhood friends into ghoulish, yet captivating creatures.

 

New Stuff in East London

My old home sweet home...

A collective work by some of East London's finest street artists, including Sweet Toof and Mighty Monkey, now on City Road.