“I love art a lot, its a hobby that takes a lot of my time, and helps me being positive and keeps my mind off the more serious things in life,” says prize winner Martin C. from Denmark. Congratulations to him and to Marco C. from Italy who was stoked to win the big prize, “You made my day.” Finally, there is Mika A. from Washington, DC, who is a young street artist there and who sent us a cool pic.
Answer 3 Simple Trivia Questions from last nights Brooklynite LIVE chat with Martyn Reed
Man, that was a blast! The Chat Pub over at Brooklynite was pretty crowded last night with an international crowd of beer swilling NuArt fans all yelling and climbing over each other to grab the ear of the guest of honor. Peeps who logged online to see the World Premiere of “Eloquent Vandals” were happily peppering affable bad boy Martyn Reed with questions ranging from his experiences with the NuArt artists (95% good) to how his little Norwegian town became known for amazing Street Art over the course of a decade (work and talent and luck). All that chatter made it hard to hear the movie and if you were like us, you missed most of the show because of all the excitement.
But, as promised, we’re giving away the movie today to you. Just answer these three questions and send them to us at Eloquent@BrooklynStreetArt.com. The first three people who answer the three questions correctly win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize.
No family or pets or employees or landlords of BSA are eligible. All complaints about the hardness of the questions should be addressed directly to Martyn Reed at thesequestionsaretoohardyousuck@nuart.no. Good Luck! We’ll tell you who won tomorrow.
Here are your Trivia Questions:
1) In the film, what does Dface’s work ask us to do?
2) GRL is an acronym for what ?
3) Nick Walker is from which British City ?
Shot and directed by Martin Hawkes, the film features work and interviews with Street Artists like Blek Le Rat, Graffiti Research Lab, Dface, Herakut, Nick Walker, Know Hope, Jimmy Cauty, Chris Stain, Wordtomother, Sten & Lex, Dotmasters, Zeus (UK) and Dolk & Pøbel.
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Titi Freak from São Paulo via Japan has created a unique voice in Street Art in the last decade. A perfect East-West mashup of all the things you kids love… fashion, pop, illustration, commix, graff, and color. He’s got a new print coming out Feb 24 with OneThirty3 and we have a sneak peak here.
Don’t Forget LIVE Chat on Brooklynite Monday Night
You can chat with Martyn Reed of Nuart LIVE when you log in and see the WORLD DEBUT of the film this Monday the 31st. It’s free and you might win a copy of the film. More HERE
Ever Wonder Why You Are Nervous All the Time?
Swearword Alert! Hilarious spoof on the predilictions of those cable news stations that tell you it’s ALL EMERGENCY ALL THE TIME!
We’re really happy to see that this project is finished and congratulate Martyn Reed for finishing his film “Eloquent Vandals”, made during the NuArt Festival in Stavanger, Norway. You can congratulate Martyn LIVE when you log in to chat with him and see the WORLD DEBUT of the film next Monday the 31st.
Shot and directed by Martin Hawkes, the film features work and interviews with Street Artists like Blek Le Rat, Graffiti Research Lab, Dface, Herakut, Nick Walker, Know Hope, Jimmy Cauty, Chris Stain, Wordtomother, Sten & Lex, Dotmasters, Zeus (UK) and Dolk & Pøbel.
Win a FREE Copy! To celebrate the World Premier, BSA is hosting a trivia game and giveaway of copies of the film and other NuArt goodies the day after the show — Feb 1.
* first image of post is a still featuring work by Blek Le Rat in “Eloquent Vandals” courtesy of Nuart/Saft films.
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Eloquent Vandals
Running time : 27 mins
Shot on location during Norway’s Nuart Festival in 2008, Eloquent Vandals
features candid interviews and work from some of the worlds leading street
artists including Blek Le Rat, Graffiti Research Lab, Dface, Herakut, Nick
Walker, Know Hope, Jimmy Cauty, Chris Stain, Wordtomother, Sten & Lex,
Dotmasters, Dolk & Pøbel.
Shot and Directed by Martin Hawkes
Produced by Nuart/Saft films
Fundraiser, Print Show, New Gallery Opening in Brooklyn
Don’t miss the opening and fundraiser tonight of Brooklyn’s newest gallery, called 99%. The silent auction will feature new prints by Swoon (left) and Gaia (right) as well as Bast, Chris Mendoza, Cycle, Dennis McNett, Doze Green, Ellis G, Eric White, Esao Andrews, EZO, Ian Kuali’I, Imminent Disaster, Jeremiah Ketner, Jose Parla, Kenji Hirata, Lady Pink, Martha Cooper, Martin Wittfooth, Maya Hayuk, Mel Kadel, Morning Breath, Nathan Lee Pickett, Orlando Reyes, Rage Johnson, Ricky Powell, Rostarr, Ryan Humphrey, Skewville, Tara McPherson, Tono Radvany, Voodo Fe, Xiaoqing Ding, Yuri Shimojo
Happy World Cup!!!! Here is Tsatsulow,the Best Soccer Freestyler in the World
FIGMENT on Governors Island – Interactive Art for Everybody (Free Free Free)
The Figment Festival on Governor’s Island boasts so many live arts and activities for free this weekend that it is guaranteed to relax and exhaust you simultaneously. A number of street artists are going to be there performing live, as well as a number of interactive installations and performances to challenge and titillate.
Governors island continues to expand and grow, and FIGMENT this year is no exception. Check the ferry schedule (free). There are ferries from Brooklyn again this year. Visitors are encouraged to bring bikes and food.
Break out the Prada sunglasses kids, the ever-clever and fun folks at Brooklynite Gallery have produced a show with two European Artists: DOLK and M-City, entitled “Eurotrash”
A new toaster design from MCity! – a “graphic brand of stencil artillery” Indeed, and wide enough for bagels!
But these artists are far from trash, although they are pretty Euro. Rae just liked that term because it is funny and because some correspondents in some neighborhoods are reporting that they are immersed in a sloshing sea of it. Pure hyperbole, I’m sure.
Dolk goes old school with this stencil subject and deliberately mucks it up for effect.
And now, back to me. “Eurotrash” makes me think of the 1980’s, when the term first stuck and wealthy young Europeans living in New York were chronicled in a column titled “Eurotrash” by Taki Theodoracopulos in the now defunct The East Side Express. Ahhhh, visions of Lacroix pouf skirts and slick men in ponytails with big long thick cigars swell to mind.
A KNOCKOUT! Excellent placement for this gigantic DOLK piece in BK!
And NOW, back to me. And then came TECHNO and TRANCE and it was all over the big Euro-club, exalting Eurotrash to an international lifestyle embraced by a sh*tload of people. What do you need to make a good ET dance song, you ask?
1. Powerful synth riffs that create the hook of the song, and hi-energeee massive arena-style walls of sound, 2. Rapping in a military and/or ganga fashion, preferably by a strapping black German with a gap between his front teeth, 3. A soaring wailing female vocal about sexual availability, preferably with a German accent or in a Nordic language emitting electronically from a distant chilly erotica planet 4. A galloping baseline and some sirens and a solid two minutes of intro and outro beats for mixing purposes.
M-CITY, despite the heavy monocromatic industrial quality of his stencils, is a funny guy. Here the Manchurian Helena II plowing through a sea of beach umbrellas. I think.
To bone up on whom we speak you can read all about the society scum characters in Irvine Welsh’s short story “Eurotrash” included in his book “The Acid House”
Here’s hoping for another steaming bull market! M-CITY
Zeromancer have a song called “Eurotrash” where they sing: We are nothing but Eurotrash,
We take Plastic we take Cash! Get the ringtone here!
"The Boxer" - a pretty stunning canvas by DOLK tomorrow at Brooklynite.
Tell you what. Why not hop on the L train headed toward Brooklyn and ride just a few stops past Bedford Ave and go to BedStuy and see the show for yourself? It’s not as good as Mr. Brainwash of course but there will be cameras to capture your look – even a live video feed! Sorry no bottle service.
Special thanks to Jaime Rojo for background research on this important topic.
“EUROTRASH”
DOLK • M-CITY
OPENING RECEPTION:
Saturday, May 8, 7-10PM
Special Musical Guest: DJ EVIL DEE (Da Beatminerz)
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Can’t make it to the show? Check out our
STREAMING LIVE COVERAGE of the opening
on our website: BrooklyniteGallery.com
Brooklynite Gallery is located at 334 Malcolm X Blvd., Brooklyn, New York 11233
Text and photos from BSA contributor, Vincent Cornelli.
It was a pretty impressive scene at the Specter, Various & Gould opening at the Brooklynite Gallery on Saturday night. And yea, Saturday night. Why does everyone throw these parties on a Thursday evening, when you can do it on the weekend and make it a real night?
I must admit, being forced to ride an over-crowded local A train from Harlem to Utica Station doesn’t really put you in the best of moods. But, while approaching the gallery, I couldn’t help but get a little re-charged as the music got louder and more distinct. It was a cool scene to walk into a nearly empty storefront, surrounded in quality artwork, knowing that even more people were packed in and celebrating in back somewhere.
In this case it was a backyard decorated by the artists, with DJ’s spinning, Red Stripes flowing, and a performance from a musician like Jeff Kessel, a one man looping machine.
And it’s always cool running into the likes of Luna Park, Celso, Veng (RWK), Carlito Brigante, and the rest.
No doubt everyone enjoyed the art, the artists, the tunes and the event.
We’re not taking sides yet, but some serious allegations are being leveled by street artists Various and Gould against Brooklynite Gallery right now.
All we can say at this point is that we went to Brooklynite for what was supposed to be an interview with Various and Gould – That interview was abruptly canceled –leaving us standing in the rain. Instead, we were later emailed a link to this video by a now ex-intern (who is asking to remain anonymous). This video appears to show some bad sh*t. We’re hoping this isn’t true.
This is a well-done animation (claymation) of three young urban hip-hop artists showcasing their art in the well known Sydney legal graffiti thoroughfare May Lane in St Peters, Sydney, Australia.
Because the city of Sydney, Australia actually sets aside a part of the city just for graffiti, artists there don’t have to look over their shoulder to get up. This is a brand new documentary called “From Vandalism to Art” about the current Street Art & Graffiti scene in this neighborhood of Sydney.
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Brooklynite’s Dancey Prep for Installation
DANCE ME A DANCE!
Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn – Musical Artist Riva Starr has just released a single and apparently this video is being used to inspire the staff of Brooklynite Gallery to bump and grind as they prepare their new installation. I dare you not to laugh.Or Dance.
When you look at this video and stop snorting, you can look at a couple images from the show they are preparing for, “Stealth, Above the Radar”
It features super cool work like this one from Derek Shumate called “Alien”. The dude is from Houston, Texas. Down there they pronounce that “hews-ton”.
Derek Shumate -"Bold colors, upon layers and layers of torn bits of information, which often resemble a topographical map, are collected from various sources, including but not limited to, personal tragedies, today’s headlines and the artists’ imagination." - say Rae and Hope of Brooklynite
The other artist in the Brooklynite Show on February 13 is Collin Van Der Sluijs. Don’t ask me how to pronounce that. I’m still working on “Doppelganger”, which at first I thought had something to do with testicles, but it turns out it has nothing to do with the Tea-bag Party at all. But I digress.
"Dutch "Pop-Fantasy Life" painter Collin Van Der Sluijs intermingles disproportionately sized animal/human hybrids, planet-like shapes, smoke-stacks and fresh socio-political views all from his subconscious ---directly onto the painting surface."
From your friends アルパカ×smooooch in Japan, a high-energy, low-fi, head-trippy dance attack that works better if you have put some medicinal mushrooms in your tea this morning. WARNING: Sped up Euro-Disco-Club-Anthem Ahead.
Street artists C215, BEEJOIR, MISS BUGS, and EELUS have donated pieces to an auction that is still being planned as a fund raiser to help an orphanage in Haiti called “Chances 4 Children”
The four confirmed participants in the auction so far are the following:
“High Hopes” by EELUS, Screen print on 500x700mm heavy art paper. Number 2 of a signed and stamped edition of 75. This image is of the original (print version to come)
The auction, which is still being put together is entirely for the benefit of the orphanage.
100% of the PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE ORPHANAGE. CHECKS / CHARGES WILL BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE CHARITY.
Beejoir "Oil Can Special, Double Can Edition" - this is not the exact image, the actual image will be coming shortly.
According to Rae, Brooklynite has an indirect link to the orphanage because very good friends of theirs were in the process of adopting two children when the earthquake hit.
The story has been covered on CNN and in the Daily News.
Brooklynite Gallery is proud to present our first exhibition of 2010 entitled,”Stealth: Artists Above The Radar”, featuring the works of Collin Van Der Sluijs and Derek Shumate. From February 13 to March 6th, we offer up our gallery walls as a soapbox for these two under-exposed artists from different ends of the world, both of who use their canvases much like mental filing cabinets to store information full of free expression and socio-political views. Follow us, if you will, on these
two hypothetical journeys.
Imagine a blender that can be filled with ripe pieces of paper containing creative juices, leafy ideas and plump inspirations. Imagine that it can also be filled with lush subconscious thoughts, including healthy, fresh social and political views. Add in a sprinkling of vivid, circular planet-like shapes. But wait, this recipe doesn’t only contain ingredients that are good for you. Now, add in black smoke stacks, toxic chemicals and dust-covered landscapes. Top it off with disproportionately sized animal/human hybrids covered in oil-based liquids. Flip the “on” switch to this blender and watch as it mixes and intermingles these colorful thoughts, robust ideals and tart visions. Pop the top and pour directly on a canvas. …You’ve just recreated the work of Dutch “Pop-Fantasy Life” painter, Collin Van Der Sluijs.
Imagine if you will, a Houston-born, abstract artist by the name of Derek Shumate with multi-colored, circuitry wires running out from the back of his head. These wires immediately transfer a continuous flow of conscious thoughts from the portal to new mediums and surfaces for fear of losing spontaneity. Bold colors, upon layers and layers of torn bits of information, which often resemble a topographical map, are collected from various sources, including but not limited to, personal tragedies, today’s headlines and the artists’ imagination. These issues appear to be clouding, as
they often do in life, the human existence as it relates to the environment. This obsessive-compulsive process produces work that is free from traditional morals or social constraints and like a young adolescent, expresses opinions full of honesty.
That is —to those that can decode the artist’s messages.
While you are waiting for Obama to do something Rooseveltian to replace the jobs our economy has been hemorrhaging for years, Rae and Hope McGrath at Brooklynite Gallery suggest you pick up a shoe-shine box and get to work.
I can’t even tell you how many artists I know who are out of work, and consequently how many are working harder than ever on the stuff that makes them happy and gives their life meaning – their art.
Like many New Yorkers watching their options dwindling, The Bushinomic Bank-zaster of ’08-’09-’10 has given many artistic types a lot of time to sharpen their skills, decide what needs to be done to survive, and to work together. One possible result, BSA is predicting, is an even bigger All-City BOOM in street art right around the corner. As jobs continue to evaporate and gallery doors close, the gallery of the street beckons a little louder each day to those who have a creative voice but no where to speak it.
Destroy & Rebuild stock their box with the essentials…
What does it mean for an artist to “survive” in a tough economic climate? – That’s the question Brooklynite Gallery in Bed Stuy posed to 100 artists when putting this show together. Focusing on the box of supplies that a shoe-shiner uses, Rae and Hope asked a very diverse group of street/graff artists to create a box of their own to express their approach to work and survival.
Anu Schwartz takes readings of the mind and heart globally.
The truly eclectic results reveal not just entrepreneurial aspirations, but psychological profiles expressing values and dreams and inner-workings of the artistic process. Symbolism abounds, and because of the limitations imposed, meanings densely packed alongside personal aspiration. To appreciate the intensity, plan your calendar to see the show twice.
Shinebox goes beatbox, literally. “VARIOUS & GOULD (with KUUK)’s box is stunning. Drop a coin in and make some beats. Completely captures the essence of this exhibition,” says Rae McGrath, owner of Brooklynite.
With the global economic downturn and the hardship it has caused, this show is clearly a tribute to, and an attempt to give voice to, the hard-working people who labor to make a living. By asking artists and fans to meditate on these realities, Brooklynite is pushing us to think outside our own drama and consider the meaning of work, and to see the shoeshine box as survival box.
Street artist Cake intimates a psycho-sexual-medical realm.
Brooklynite owner/curator/visionary/artist Rae McGrath took a break from installing the show to talk about his original inspiration for the show, and how it has evolved:
Brooklyn Street Art:Didn’t the shinebox go out with the icebox? What was the impetus for the theme of this show?
Rae McGrath: Last time I heard the term “icebox” I was well into my 11 hour of The Honeymooners Marathon they run on New Years Day. BUT -shinebox’s never go out of style. Everyone enjoys compartmentalizing things don’t they? Mostly for the wrong reasons but they do… However this exhibition goes beyond shine boxes and shinning shoes. It deals with working in the most stripped down, basic sense of the term.
Paper Monster adapted an actual shinebox.
The project stems from my love for shoeshine boxes. Traveling through Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, etc., I was always impressed with how these things were built, mostly by kids. Any materials they could find held together with rusted nails and recycled bottles for dyes and you’re good to go. So out of that, combined with this f&*ked up economy I wanted to take it one step further and ask artists from around the world– “If you had to take to the streets to survive in this economy, what would you do?” I asked that each keep the “survival object” inside a square foot. It could be found, bought, modified, etc. We wanted to try and unify graffiti artists with street and contemporary
FKDL uses a collage of yesteryear imagery.
FKDL created part art supply, part sewing box (contents)
Brooklyn Street Art:How does the current financial crisis in the country play in the psychology of this show?
Rae McGrath: A lot of artists we approached with the concept said it really resonated with them. Some live off their work and lost studios, commissions, etc. It sucks. Art is considered a luxury item to most– but we don’t necessarily see it that way. Art inspires and motivates. Makes people think and study. To us that’s no luxury. It should be the norm.
Iconic stencilling from one of the Paris originators, Jef Aerosol
With an eye toward total transparency, Jef Aerosol tells us what it takes.
Brooklyn Street Art:Logistically, getting a hundred artists to create and deliver their pieces must have been like herding cats…
Rae McGrath: The logistics of this show have been pretty hectic. I also think that most people in my neighborhood believe I am a drug dealer at this point. Everyday another small package showing up. Strange and cool at the same time. But what makes it worthwhile is when you open a package and a true gem comes out.
I think the biggest feat when doing a show of this magnitude is making sure each artist get their work seen– Hence the video we just put out. We are not very fond of your run of the mill group show that focuses on a key word or something. We tried to keep the guidelines here a bit more rigid.
KNOW HOPE adorns the box with a storyline
Brooklyn Street Art: Did every artist take a shine to your idea?
Rae McGrath: Yes. EXCEPT for the ones that were afraid of working in 3 dimension.
A rather suggestive joy-stick tops this “Peep Show” by 3TTman
Brooklyn Street Art: What box is blowing your mind?
Rae McGrath: There are several boxes blowing my mind for different reasons… Some because of the design, others the concept and some for both. VARIOUS & GOULD (with KUUK)’s box is stunning. Drop a coin in and make some beats. Completely captures the essence of this exhibition. They also did the hand-made flyer for the show and limited edition prints. 3TTMAN’s peep show is a thing of beauty. KOSBE, TEN13ONE. I know I’m leaving some killer ones but– wait this isn’t print— Not trying to save trees— BEN FROST has a clever piece, Destroy & Rebuild … Look man just get over here and see them.
Anthony Lister goes 360
Smile and the blockheads smile with you. (Anthony Lister)
Brooklyn Street Art: Are any of them functional, practical, usable?
Rae McGrath: Some are functional in a practical sense others in a spiritual one– That part of the theme was open to interpretation and heavily expanded upon.
A strong stylization of the theme, Skewville keeps it real Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Street Art: The title sounds like an exhortation; “Go Get your Shine Box” are you telling us roll up our sleeves and get to work?
Rae McGrath: Hell yeah. Maybe the name should be “GO GET YOU ASS TO WORK”. Seriously I think we all know where that title came from…. Or should at least.
Brooklyn Street Art: BTW, I usually wear size 10.5 black wingtips. Can I drop them off anytime after Nov. 21? I’ll need them for Thanksgiving.
Rae McGrath: Oh sounds nice. We actually have the same size shoe… Drop them off .
“GO GET YOUR SHINE BOX” silk screen posterby Various and Gould