A bit of Gorey, a bit of Escher, a bit of classic style but definitely getting a new voice here. And all it took was a bit of A4 dip pen and black ink for Welsh artist Phlegm to get this drawing together, Great stuff. A talent on the street and on the paper. Via Juxtapoz Street Art.
From The Citrus Report
Slap in the Face: a Tribute to Sticker and Graffiti Art, heralds the rise of sticker art, which has evolved as a byproduct of street art, a movement from the 1970′s that has since become a global phenomenon.
The stickers featured are at times derogatory, humorous, refined, or crass; while some are eulogies, others are as straight forward as tagging one’s name. Specially adopted for the ease of vandalism, their fast and low impact appeal is a cost effective solution to other riskier methods of graffiti such as; spray paint, wheat-pasting, scribing, and etching. The peel-and-slap of sticker art allows the artist time to develop and detail their final product. The goal is to inform an often unwilling participant/viewer, alter the landscape, impact social consciousness and gain recognition by other street artists. To succeed is to proliferate an area of graffiti with high-quality images or text, the more stickers, the more dominance. More than a call for infamy, sticker art effectively presents a concise, transitory, democratic and accessible form of art, and addresses topics such as: ownership, social hierarchy, socioeconomic politics, and artistic boundaries. Work is often a declaration. Ultimately, the most compelling motivation behind sticker slapping may be the earnest desire to show presence, to exist, to locate oneself; to be heard in an environment in which resists it. —Pablo de Pinho
Pablo: What sparked the idea for this sticker show?
Jordan Ayoub: I originally came to this galley with a completely different proposal tying a bunch of different subjects to one overlying theme and showcasing that theme in art form. That initial proposal however was too broad, so I decided to come back with an entirely new proposal and new theme. Then I came across a sticker book through Michael Kershnar called “Stickers: Stuck-Up Piece of Crap: From Punk Rock to Contemporary Art.” In that book, there was a picture of a lobby covered in dozens of hand-styles that were xeroxed and turned into wall paper for this hotel in New York. I thought that that concept was so rad, and being submersed in San Francisco’s profound graffiti culture; I felt that the concept to cover the entire gallery in stickers had to be done.
Who are some of the featured graffiti artists?
There are probably close to a hundred different writers that I, along with the help from a few friends, curated. But some of the names you will find in the show are Vegan, Toro, Erupto, Dlae, Diet, Jade, Jaut, Bvrs, Enor, Jenks, Metro, Kode, Sector, Charm, and many many more.
How did you get everything together for the show? Did you meet up with all the writers?
There were definitely a lot of errands to be ran back and forth communicating and meeting up with people etc. The majority of the stickers were picked up by hand from friends and friends of friends. But some, due to inaccessibility and inconvenience had to be mailed in.
What is to be expected? Are there any cool installations?
You can expect to see a ton of stickers, that’s for sure. But there are a couple of newspaper bins that I attained that will be a part of the show along with some fine art that will be displayed on the far side of the gallery. All is sticker/graffiti related. All is rad.
How much controversy is there for making this show? Being that the show will be held at a University, and that many people consider graffiti a crime.
Not necessarily much controversy, rather surprise. This show is quite the opposite from what is normally displayed at this gallery. That being, it will bring a new crowd and more exposure to the gallery. I hope that the gallery is ready for the demographic of people that this show will generate. It won’t be like any other show they’ve ever had, that’s for sure.
Is this the beginning for you? Will you be hosting more events like this in the future?
I’d like to think this is the beginning; this whole process has been really fun and quite the experience. I would love to host more shows like this one. In fact, the gallery and I have already sparked conversation about me hosting another show, so keep your eyes peeled. Whether it’s with this gallery or another, I will love to do this again.
Any shout outs and acknowledgments you would like to give out?
Yes, I would like to give a couple of shout outs to the people that played a huge role in making this possible and being so supportive. One of which, to the ‘Dungeon Master’ Vegan. Without his support, contributions, and name behind all of this, this show would definitely not have been as successful as it turned out to be. Big-ups to you, my friend. I would also like to shout out my boys Sueños, and Enor- both huge contributors and supporters of the show and in the aid of making this possible. Many thanks. And last but not least, Kershnar-das, the beginning of it all. If it weren’t for the connections you’ve hooked me up with, none of this would have even happened. Thank you for all the rad times and experiences you’ve shared with me. I’m truly grateful.
Opening Reception Friday January 27th from 5pm to 8pm
Run time from
January 19th to February 15, 2012
At The Art Gallery—SFSU
1650 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA
From The Citrus Report
Blu keeps the big year coming, with another poignant mural popping up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (His second over the past month). The people of Buenos Aires Street Art (who do a great job) just posted a series of photos of the new Blu piece, noting, “six figures being roasted on a grill by the flames from a huge pile of burning bank notes. Argentines love to have barbecues (asados) and it looks like Blu has chosen a similar theme for his latest critique.” (BA Street ART)
From The Citrus Report
Whether in a loose oil bar or on an intricately detailed canvas, Feral Child creates portraits and abstracted scenes that draw from folk and native patterns in fresh new ways. His precisely placed lines and contrasting colors turn some of the most simple compositions into complex harbors of a secret knowledge that is inviting their viewers to look just a little deeper. Even his most abstract work displays a sense of enthusiasm that bursts from the images. Whether hung on a white gallery wall or wheat pasted in a dirty alley, Feral’s work is sure to make you stop to imagine where these figures may have been or may be going next. —Ronnie Wrest / The Citrus Report
What kind of music do you listen to while you paint?
Lately I’ve been listening to a pretty wide variety of music when I’m painting, ranging from stuff like Wooden Wand, to Manu Chao, to The Suicide File. I think changing the music up helps keep my mind fresh and the paintings balanced.
Have you been drawing since a young age and have you ever studied art formally?
Actually no. I mean, I drew a lot when I was a little kid, but I never really started drawing seriously until after high school. I never went to art school or took art classes or anything like that. I’m pretty much completely self taught.
Do you tend to work more indoors or out and what kind of a balance do keep between the two, if any?
I go back and forth as far as what I am focusing more on at any given time. When I’m traveling, I basically focus 100% on making outdoor work. I love exploring new places, finding spots to paint, meeting people, etc. When I’m home, I tend to put more energy into indoor work and other projects, but it is super important for me to do both in order to stay centered.
Do you plan much when you find a spot you want to paint or are you pretty spontaneous with your outdoor work?
It really depends on the the spot. For the most part it is pretty spontaneous. Lately, I have been doing a lot of oil bar drawings on freight trains, which lends itself to spontaneity and pushes me to try out new things. On the other hand, if I’m painting a big permission wall or something I usually try to plan the piece out and bring a reference photo or something. I’ve realized no matter how much you plan what you are going to paint, it always turns out differently then you expected. There are so many different variables that you have to work with when painting outside, which is also one of the reasons why it is so much fun.
You work with a lot of different media. Do enjoy trying new things or do you just like to have a change of pace?
I don’t really want to be limited by pigeonholing myself into any specific category. Working in various media gets me thinking in different ways and allows me to push my work in other directions. It’s also fun just to collaborate with friends on a large variety of projects that I probably wouldn’t pursue on my own.
There is not always a clear distinction between your indoor and outdoor work, do the the two tend to overlap completely?
It depends. Sometimes I will use my indoor work as reference for the outdoor work, or vice versa, I actually get a lot of ideas for indoor paintings from random drawings I have done on trains. Overall though, I would say 90% of the outdoor work I do is really quick and impulsive, so it tends to be very different than the indoor paintings, although there are a lot of common elements that I use in both.
You were just out in Atlanta for Living Walls. How was that conference?
Atlanta was incredible. Any time you put 25+ artists in two rooms you know it is going to be a great time. I swear wall painters are the coolest breed of people on earth. It was really inspirational to hang out and with everyone and get to watch them paint.
Was there a lot of support from the community out there?
Definitely. It’s so cool to be outside painting walls every day and get to meet people in the neighborhood who are so stoked on what you are doing. There is also a super tight community of wonderful, passionate, creative people out there and they definitely showed us that Southern hospitality.
Was there anyone specific you were really stoked to meet or work with on this trip?
Wow, pretty much everyone involved, it would be a super long list. I’ve been a huge fan of artists like Labrona and Sam3 for a long time now, so meeting and hanging out with those dudes was really awesome. Also, having a chance to kick it and paint with friends like Russia, Doodles, Gaia, Ola Bad and Over Under is always a pleasure.
Between the MOCA show, hype around Banksy’s movie and Saber drawing serious media attention to public art recently, this has been a big year for the movement. Do you see all this helping gain some acceptance from the art world?
I don’t know. I really don’t think public art is anything new to the art world. Graffiti has been in galleries since the 80′s. If anything it is coming to the point where it is almost being cheapened by everyone who is now trying to cash in on it. At the same time though I think it’s great that the general population is recognizing public art as an important and legitimate art movement, especially if that means more opportunities and more paint on the walls.
There are references to nature and a kind of Native American feel to some of your work. Does this come from any particular influence?
I tend to think a lot about the state of the world today and how globalization and the rapid spread of technology and information has left it in a way homogenized. I fantasize that paradigm just collapsed, and I think about what it would look like if my friends and I were living in a rewilded world, as these feral humans, creating their own unique cultures and traditions. A lot of what I paint is sort of a manifestation of this idea.
I know you have traveled a lot. Is there a particular place you would want to live or stay…. if you’re not already there?
I would love to be able to spend more time in Latin America. There is a ton of really inspirational art coming from that part of the world, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Buenos Aires, it sounds like a street painters paradise.
Any plans for the rest of this year?
I have a show lined up in the beginning of 2012 with some friends over at Old Crow in Oakland, so I’m focusing on making a bunch of new work for that. Aside from that I’m gonna be working a short film project with my friend George Trimm, and illustrating a book of short stories. I’m also planning out a new project/journey that incorporates travel, writing, and photography, that I will hopefully start sometime next year.
From The Citrus Report
Hot Chicks of Occupy Wall Street from Steven Greenstreet on Vimeo.
Seriously, we are talking about white people protesting the “powers that be.” Their dads, basically. So sooner or later, this generation of bloggers, tumblers, tweeters, filmmakers, art school grads, and basically people who spend most of their time in front of their Facebook pages were going to go to the protests to find hot chicks.
Why do guys do anything except to get hot chicks? Most men would love to have a Wall Street job to pick up a hot chick (and hot chicks mostly want a guy in a BMW wagon who will take them to the Four Seasons in Hawaii on their birthday), so this video and Tumblr makes too much sense. ITS THE REALITY. GO PROTEST, FIND A HOT CHICK, JUST ADMIT IT.
We are not even being cynical. If we had single friends, we would send them to Occupy a Hot Chick. Hey-o.
http://hotchicksofoccupywallstreet.tumblr.com/
From The Citrus Report
Brooklyn artist BÄST‘s solo show at Lazarides Outsiders space in Newcastle is about to come down on Saturday, October 15, and we suggest you go and see it. Because BÄST is great. At least we think so. This is what he has to say about the show…
“I love… vintage airline promotional material. The new workʼs obviously got a lot of that style. Itʼs quite simple, I never like to go too heavy on anything. The paintʼs thrown on with stencils over it. Itʼs a mess but it works itself out. I want these pieces to be like a phony story, complete in one scene, from which you can make up whatever you want. Even I end up looking at them and wondering where they came from. Theyʼre scenarios, hence the title ʻScenario Del Rioʼ. The ʻDel Rioʼ is a diner off Cheapskate Bay which has all sorts of folks coming in and out, they must have some scenarios going on. Plus,” he says in his broad New York accent, “I chose it because I love words that roll off the tongue.”
From The Citrus Report
We don’t often like a lot of new shoe ideas anymore (basically we just want an old pair of Vans or a nice old man boat shoe), but this FILA x Clarks Wallabee is about as ill as a new shoe is going to get for us. They are calling it the Filabee, which is appropriate. UNION LA will have them, but we don’t know what’s up with the playing cards in the street while promoting a European shoe has to do with it.
via slamxhype
From The Citrus Report
THIS los angeles, Peter, Bjorn + John and MFG present GIMME SOME, an exhibition featuring the artwork of Jonas Torvestig.
About the Exhibition:
When Jonas Torvestig was approached by Peter Bjorn And John about doing their cover for the 2011 album GIMME SOME, there were requests of sticking to objects of three, as all of their prior covers. And some thumbs up...
The fast paced tempo of GIMME SOME became the true inspiration of doing a design that had attitude like punk and garage rock but also communicated the direct feeling of pop music. Born was the morbid three thumb hand, colored in a pop arty palette.
About the time of release of GIMME SOME there was need of singles artwork. With an icon-like symbol for the album, it felt natural to use the hand as a template and alter it to brand certain song titles. Second Chance was the first, then came Dig A Little Deeper. From there PBJ and Jonas were curious to see how all the titles could look so Jonas set up to design nine more hands. Now, with a total of 12 hands, individually silk screened on several layers of acrylic, the artworks will travel with Peter Bjorn And John to some unique tour locations.
Opening reception Thursday, September 29th, 7PM.
RSVP to http://danceright.net/pbj/
THIS los angeles
5906 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
From The Citrus Report
FIFTY24SF alums have contributed panels for above the Upper Playground SF location that were crafted during their travels of California a couple months back. Fits the vibe of the street pretty nicely.
From The Citrus Report
Google Street View is pretty bizarre as is, but when it rolls in Miami and finds some naked women in the hood hanging out naked on her doorstep, Google Street View becomes another universe. Or everyday in Miami? We don’t really know. Its odd regardless. Why is she holding a gallon of water?
From The Citrus Report
