An artsy April Fool

April Fools, the Exhibition 1 - 30 April 2009

April Fools' Day, although not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.

Urban street art has fast become a cultural phenomenon sweeping the UK and Europe with its audacious challenging of authority and cultural norms. Public but anonymous, these artifacts of clandestine performance by artists operating outside the established channels of exhibiting and selling their art, has contributed greatly to the dialogue of the enduring question,

“What is art"?

Taking the ethos of the hoax into consideration, an eclectic collection of contemporary urban art will be exhibited in London during April, and sold off the walls, which be constantly changing throughout the duration of the exhibition to create a curiosity with the viewer. April's Fool exhibition showcases a collection of international artists who examine the genre's explorations into art in mediums that range from painting, wheat-pasting, and collage to drawing and sculpture.

One of Sirdab's favourite artists, Pure Evil will be partaking in this exhibit.

Flyer by Beatrice Brown

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WWF: “Our life at the cost of theirs?”

Ad Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Mumbai, India

FedEx: Fragile

Ad Agency: BBDO Canada, Toronto

Nestea: "You are what you take."

Ad Agency: Publicis Venezuela

FA: Women's Deo

Ad Agency: Mudra, Chennai, India

BMW: Robin Rhode's Expression of Joy

Artist: Robin Rhode

click on image to enlarge

TAG of Love

TAG AT THE GRAND PALAIS - THE GALLIZIA COLLECTION

27 MARCH - 26 APRIL 2009

As part of a project unique in the history of art, 300 tagged pieces are being presented at the Paris Grand Palais in a world première. Each of the 300 works in this exhibition comes from an encounter between the leading T.A.G. (Tag And Graff) artists and Alain-Dominique Gallizia, who has spent the past three years in a constant quest for the last art form of the 20th century.

This is the first time so-called "Art Sauvage" has been exhibited in a cultural institution in Paris! By commissioning works from the greatest worldwide graffiti artists, architect Alain-Dominique Gallizia has assembled and continues to collect key examples of painting from this so-called "ephemeral art form."

All the works follow a unifying and threefold principle: the same format (a horizontal canvas in two parts measuring 60x180cm), the same theme (on the left the artist's signature, and on the right an open interpretation of the theme "Love") and if possible produced in Alain-Dominique Gallizia's studio in Boulogne-Billancourt, which he opened to the artists. The (some would say crazy) objective is to create a comparative record, both artistic and historical, instantaneous and eternal, of this movement.

The Gallizia collection speaks volumes about the energy on the street, where every nationality can express itself from the American pioneers and European stars to the up-and-coming generations in Korea (Reach), Iran (Isba) and Brazil (Nunca).

Bubble letters, cloud letters, block letters, chromed signatures, restyled and freestyle cartoon characters… the works at the Grand Palais form a unique and multiple panorama of styles and colours.

Le T.A.G. au Grand Palais is a unique event forming the most important testimony to street art for over three generations.

This exhibition will also be an opportunity to view the 700m2 restored area of the museum’s south-east gallery.

More photos here

Three questions for... Alain-Dominique Gallizia, architect and the man behind the T.A.G. project for the Grand Palais

What gave you the idea for the project?

I first discovered the world of tags in 1992. At the time I was doing volunteer work for a foundation distributing sleeping bags to the homeless at the Gare du Nord station. This is where I first came across the tags that covered the trains and platform walls. As for the project itself, the inspiration was twofold....

Read more here

A 'Grafista' you should meet

Patrick Thomas describes himself as a 'Grafista', a Spanish term for graphic artist / designer. However, the word has an activism sort of connotation, something in the spirit of guerrilla although this is not accurate; it's just how it sounds to the ear...GRAFISTA....TIME TO TAKE ACTION ;0)

Based in the industrial quarter of Barcelona with fantastic views of the city, Patrick's studio, laVista occupies the top floor of a converted warehouse. This is where his inspiration runs big, bold and often politically spirited.

Patrick never fails to make an impact with pure, noncomplex creativity and provoke a reaction with gutsy visual communication that speaks loud his political concerns, as it highlights loads of the world's crucial political matters: Wars, religion, recession, globalisation...Power is pivotal to the simplest of Patrick's graphics.

Design thinkers like Patrick Thomas, who use their creative wisdom to design for stuff that matters and manage to tackle pressing questions, are saluted at Sirdab. Fresh, efficient design makes world problems and controversial ideas rather engaging, as well as thought provoking. We need more of such!

If interested, you can get in touch with designer Patrick Thomas through Agency Rush, a team of cutting-edge image-makers.

Diamond Dusted Sid

BANKSY's 2000 SID VICIOUS acrylic, spraypaint stencil & diamond dust on canvas --tagged & signed on the reverse & on stretcher, was auctioned at Sotheby's March 18 2008 for 120,000—150,000 USD

Got Sold today: Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 110,500 USD

Source Banksy's Forum & Sotheby's

Executed nearly ten years ago during an early and highly formative period for the artist, Sid Vicious by Banksy is a unique canvas created in a one-off template configuration. There is only one further canvas depicting Sid Vicious, though this is a different composition. A consummate portrayal of one iconic bad-boy of British urban subculture by another, this is a brilliant summation of both post-Modernism and urban graffiti art, two of the most exciting trends in British art of the past two decades.

The composition consists of the multiple portrait of the subject, Sid Vicious, in a square, three-by-three grid format totalling nine repetitions. Achieved via the street artist's stencil, this multiplication is deliberately evocative of the work of Andy Warhol, whose repeated portraits of world-famous celebrities--from Jackie Kennedy to Elvis Presley to Mick Jagger--spearheaded the global omnipotence of Pop Art and have conditioned global visual culture ever since.
The three-by-three compositional arrangement of nine heads is a direct reference to Warhol's 'Mao' and 'Marilyn' reversal series, executed from 1979, in which nine representations appeared in a similar grid format.
The use of diamond dust also quotes the work of Andy Warhol, who utilised the innovative material in a variety of portraits and 'Shadow Painting' works from the 1970s and 1980s.
The infamous bass guitarist for the Sex Pistols band, Sid Vicious remains the foremost embodiment of the Punk phenomenon. Punk aimed to revolutionise mundanity and indifference, railing against the desensitised apathy of mass-produced popular music and culture. Here Banksy brilliantly re-presents the literal personification of Punk – Sid Vicious – in Warhol's instantly recognisable dialect of Pop Art. The resolute individuality that stands at the heart of the Punk ethos is perfectly satirised by its desensitising multiplication.
At the same time, the diamond dust portrait at the centre of Sid Vicious suggests Banksy's ultimate conviction in individuality and freedom of expression.

The Banksy Return

A piece of Banksy stencil art is said to have appeared on the streets of London over the last few days in Gillette Square.
Banksy's forum gave the heads up on it first thing first and I was informed too.
I am a huge fan of his work...
One of the Forum's member, and naturally a Banksy fervent fan, Stephen shot what he saw and uploaded this top quality work that seem to be produced by Banksy himself. (Should trust the fans conviction that it's him indeed). Cool find! Great close up shot! Banksy's top stencil incorporates beautifully the environment. Love the way the teddy twists the image around. See for yourself. By now, am sure these photos will be invading the cyber space.

All photos by Stephen

Dancing & Painting

For the American artist and entertainer David Garibaldi, his paintbrush is his microphone.

Garibaldi was a defiant Los Angeles street-graffiti artist until a sympathetic high-school teacher pointed him in a more positive direction.

Garibaldi later painted in the studio and created artworks onstage during urban musical performances. This inspired him to develop his “Rhythm & Hue” show, which he describes as “a dance routine involving painting.”

Accompanied by music, Garibaldi amazes audiences by energetically creating enormous pop-culture portraits in minutes. His renowned performances have been featured on TV shows, at charity events and in video games. With a brush in each hand, he creates 6 foot tall portraits in less than 6 minutes, of icons, celebrities, sports personalities, and special honorees to carefully selected music.

These plate-signed and numbered fine art posters were created using a sophisticated digital printer. They are stretched and ready to hang and are produced in limited editions of less than a hundred of prints.
Interested to get one, check it here
Interested to get an original artwork, click here

Frenchy flags subversion

Flags are filled with national symbols that do nothing more than summoning an emotional connection.

Immediately and widely recognisable, bold and colourful, flags are the most commonly used national symbols in twentieth-century war propaganda.

They are such potent, powerful and familiar visuals, in fact, that graphic designers would often use only the national colours to convey their message.

At the Sirdab, we are fond of flags. Click on the 'flag' tag & see for yourself... However, our pick this time is the French flag.

Parody is another means of contemporary communication often used by engaged artists & activists alike. Have a look at these subverted French flags; the message is, for the most, clear and loud, as the parody used is to generate some sort of awareness around major issues. The emblems designed are highly politically charged.

For more on flags, culture-jamming and spoofs, click on flags.
We bet that you'll find an unexpected archive of 'flagedelic' imagery gathered and brought to you by the Sirdab.

Are you Snoopy, Nosy and/or Gossipy?

Design above by kjapelian

The often spoken proverb, 'HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL AND SPEAK NO EVIL' is one of my favourite sayings ever. This phrase was put into practice in the form of three monkeys carved: Mizaru, with his hands over his eyes, Kikazaru, with his hands over his ears, & Iwazaru, with his hands over his mouth.

These famous monkey trio has been popular for eons.

In English, the monkeys' names are often given as Mizaru, Mikazaru, and Mazaru.
Sometimes there is a fourth monkey depicted with the three others; the last one, Shizaru, symbolises the principle of "do no evil". He may be covering his abdomen or crotch, or just crossing his arms.

Although commonly spoken, the origins of the three wise monkeys are rarely known.

The main guess is that it is derived from a religious phrase, "If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil."
It's such a good advice, especially as it is so difficult for people to hold their tongue, not backbite and gossip.

Even the meaning of the proverb is widely interpreted, ranging from not being nosy and spreading rumours to not being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The popular phrase in Japanese translates to: "mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru."
The Japanese word for monkey being "saru." However, some say that the three wise monkeys aren't Japanese in origin even though the source that popularised this pictorial maxim is a 17th century carving over a door of the famous Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan. The maxim probably originally came to Japan with a Tendai-Buddhist legend, from China in the 8th century.

Whatever its origins or interpretations are, this is one Golden Rule: speaking unkind, evil, or judgemental words is no use to anyone.

Have a look at these funny reinterpretations of the proverb and simply take it as a reminder not to be snoopy, nosy and gossipy.

VIVA LA EVOLUCION

Click to enlarge image

This year marks two significant moments in the history of science: the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of the publication in 1859, of his "On the Origin of Species."

Arguing that mankind was descended from primates, Darwin's theory has been facing criticism from those who said that he was rejecting God.

On Darwinian topic, we will be posting graphic variations of the iconoclastic theory of evolution, that is said not to be believed by 2/3 of Americans. Indeed, one poll, commissioned by CBS News, revealed that more than half of the US population believes that God created human beings in their present form.

Would these funny visual interpretations do any good to the theory? Doubtful...

Anyhow, these examples of intelligent designs will bring a smile to some faces; at least, we hope it will, while the battle between evolutionists and creationists keeps raging on till date.

POST - FUTURE

Legendary artist John Van Hamersveld is best known for his poster for the 1964 blockbuster surf documentary/film, '"The Endless Summer" and his album covers for the Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour), The Rolling Stones (Exile on Main Street), Jefferson Airplane (Crown of Creation), the Grateful Dead (Skeletons in the Closet), Kiss (Hotter Than Hell) and Blondie (Eat to the Beat), to name a few.

However, his credentials are endless. Among his other creations: an official poster and 360-foot-long mural for the 1984 L.A Olympic Games; illustrations for magazines such as Esquire, Rolling Stone, Billboard; branding and logos for Fatburger, Contempo Casuals and Broadway Deli.

The iconography of his oeuvre runs deep, from Day-Glo tones to trippy swirls to the grinning “Johnny face,” an icon in itself.

Like an acid trip in ink on the paper of space and time, John Van Hamersveldʼs graphics have transcended the psychedelic ʻ60s and become classic images that are as futuristic as they are vintage.

“Post-Future,” opening March 7 at Shepard's Fairey's Subliminal Projects art gallery, features many of Van Hamersveldʼs classic works juxtaposed with re-imaginings of those images, recent retro- styled pieces and a never-before-seen series of drawings connecting past and present.
Through the show, Van Hamersveld creates a lens, through which the past can be seen and the future can be sourced, where imagery melts into a pool that is both the source and the destination of creativity.
Van Hamersveldʼs book, also titled 'Post-Future,' is set to be released in September.

Bad Typography is Everywhere, says Craig

Sirdab has, for some while now, spotted this artist. Since then, we've been fervent admirer of London based illustrator, Craig Ward, posting several brilliant stuff made available on his online space dubbed 'Words are Pictures.'

Here is a sample from Ward's latest type-based design expressions.

As brilliant as we got used to! A true delight!!

Street Shots

Martha Cooper has been photographing creative kids in action on city streets since the mid-1970s.
In 'Street Shots,' opening January 16th at Subliminal Projects --a gallery located in LA and owned by Shepard Fairey-- her photos reveal the imaginative children of pre-renewal New York City as they mined the abandoned lots of the city to create toys from trash.
Cooper, renowned for her graffiti and hip-hop pictures, brings those classic images together with ones depicting inner-city kids building forts from scrap, catching flies in cola bottles and racing homemade go-karts—all without adult supervision.

The opening of 'Street Shots' also marks several debuts: Cooper’s new book, 'Going Postal,' a collection of photos of postal labels bearing street art; her image collaboration with Shepard Fairey, available as a screen-print poster; and her own Obey line, with photos printed on clothing, bags, and skateboards.

Martha Cooper is a documentary photographer who has specialised in documenting urban vernacular art and architecture for over thirty years.
In 1977, Martha moved to New York City and worked as a staff photographer on the NY Post for three years. During that time, she began to shoot graffiti and break dancing, subjects which led to her extensive coverage of early Hip Hop as it emerged from the Bronx.

Martha’s first book 'Subway Art' (with Henry Chalfant), has been in print since 1984 and is affectionately called the “Bible” by graffiti artists worldwide. The 25th anniversary of Subway Art will see the release of a new edition to be published April 2009.

Her next book, 'R.I.P.: Memorial Wall Art' looks at memorial murals in NYC and 'Hip Hop Files 1980-1984' contains hundreds of rare, early Hip Hop photos.
'We B*Girlzis' an intensive look at girls who breakdance worldwide, and 'Street Play' and 'New York State of Mind' are her collections of NYC photos from the late 70’s. 'Tag Town' shows the evolution of graffiti style from early tags to complicated pieces.
Her latest book, 'Going Postal' contains hundreds of images of graffiti and street art on postal stickers.

Martha’s work has been widely exhibited in museums and galleries and published in numerous magazines from National Geographic to Vibe.
She lives in Manhattan where she is the Director of Photography at City Lore, the New York Center for Urban Folk Culture.

Art to sell Revolution

Paging Mr Banksy
Originally uploaded by Matthew Gidley

Beautiful Stencil Art with a message to ponder...

Avoid Consumerism

Since it's crisis time, and everyone's recommending to consume less & eventually boycott brands & big corporations, here is some thoughtful visual communication we found here & there that is also pretty delightful & amusing...

Disneyland art world

I have long been interested in collage art and have found very few artists with the style I love. Now that I came across Greg Gossel, an American graphic designer who is also into old-school collage, can't but include it in my sirdab's.

A charming kaleidoscope of colour with pop vivid comic flavoured images--in the spirit of Roy Lichtenstein --cascading in all directions, defying reason and challenging the viewer to make sense of this sparkling and fresh world that is Gossel's own.
Spontaneous, bright, positive & surreal; so irreverent that it becomes madly beautiful.

Gossel on his work:

"My work is about life, the struggle, and the beauty. I try to accomplish this through the interplay of many diverse words, images, and gestures. I’m interested in process – building up a surface and layering a variety of mediums; spraying, printing, splashing, erasing, dripping, and writing in a very loose and spontaneous way. When a piece is finished, I want it to illustrate a visual history of change, process, and expression."

AlphaPETS

Discovered a very talented artist with such a fresh illustrations. Some while ago, Alexander Blue was working on a book idea that shows kids how to draw characters using each letter of the alphabet… Blue was looking for a title to give to this beautiful book idea. 'AlphaPETS' was one of the options he suggested...
...It's amazing stuff, so imaginative, so inspiring, so playful, so creative & so fun, so & so infinite..

Featured below, characters based on the uppercase letter “R” & letter “E”. More here

War has started...in Poland

Polish artist, Peter Fuss illegally puts up his works on billboards as a way to make a bitter comment on the reality surrounding him. He is not afraid to speak his mind on social taboo subjects.

His works seems much like an examination and evaluation of the present, the world, the minds & the human being as a social species. His art is as minimalist as it can get , with simple and clear form.
Fuss comments on politics, the relationships between religion and authority, flashy religiosity, social problems, art and all in between with one banal tone that make it sound like common sense statements. However, this light approach is full of wit;
his sharp observations will let you ponder the meaning of the world for long hours... His website is also easy to surf & straight to the point with no artifice or pompous statements.

If interested by Peter Fuss art, you can buy his artwork ---on canvas or paper-- from Zero Zer gallery
ZERO ZER Gallery is based in Poland and sells original art and high quality limited edition prints from a range of popular polish street artists.

The below images found on Wooster Collective site, are from a conceptual graffiti project labeled
"War Has Started" From Peter Fuss

every day i am. i get up. i eat. i go out.
sometimes i feel well. sometimes i have a flu. sometimes i'm tired. sometimes i'm happy.
and around me is the world.
wars. riots. presidents and prime ministers.
newspapers. the internet. news. advertisments.
and other people.
which i know well. and which i meet the first time.
sometimes it's hot. sometimes it rains.
strikes. accidents. disasters. spilt tea. a lost key.
--By Peter Fuss

Pentawards is the first and only worldwide competition exclusively devoted to packaging design in all its forms. It is open to everybody in all countries who are associated with the creation and marketing of packaging.
Judged by a prominent international jury and endorsed by Icograda IDA, bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond Pentawards were distributed to the best brands’ packaging designs of this year’s competition and handed on to the winners at the Pentawards Ceremony, at Luxepack Monaco (France), on October 30, 2008.

Piper Heidsieck - Rosé Sauvage designed by Viktor and Rolf won the Best Of the Show Diamond award.
Entitled 'Upside Down,' this is a bottle that rests on the neck, the neck and front labels and cap foil reversed!

“How do you do something new with something timeless? We had only one answer: reverse the proportions;”

This is how the two Dutch fashion designers Viktor & Rolf express it. So the designers kept all the traditional graphic features of champagne (bottle, cork, ice bucket, glass, and labels) but thought that if champagne could turn one’s head, it was only necessary to reverse all these visual elements to amplify this impression, and especially to differentiate the Piper Heidsieck brand from its competitors by recreating the packaging of the champagne.
The bottles of Pieper Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage signed by Viktor & Rolf were launched on the market at the end of October 2007 in several duty free shops and in exclusive bars and wine bars. This is therefore a limited-time edition. The glass bottles are covered by a sleeve produced by Sleever International, a leading global company in this very innovative area of packaging design.

The idea of working with such an exciting signature as Viktor & Rolf is born from a strategic and creative design management partnership between Piper Heidsieck and BETC Design. It is this creativity in support of packaging, also expressed throughout the communication (the site will also spin your head around) that won over the Pentawards jury.

Yes, We Did!

Shepard Fairey and Moveon.org have teamed up to mark this moment in American history.

These commemorative prints mark Barack Obama’s historic victory and were designed by groundbreaking artist Shepard Fairey—the same artist who designed the world-famous, iconic “Hope” poster for Obama.

The prints signed by the artist will be available to those who donate $500 or more, while supplies last. The unsigned prints will be available to those who donate $80 or more, plus an additional $10 donation to cover shipping, while supplies last.

Get yours here

One's donation will help MoveOn support Barack Obama’s agenda of transitioning our country to a clean, green-energy economy, ending the Iraq War responsibly, and providing affordable health care to all Americans.

These 5,000 limited edition prints are 24″ x 36″ and are offset printed on French Paper Company’s Cream Speckletone stock under the artist’s supervision. Each print is numbered by hand, 1 through 5000. The first 1000 in the series are signed by Shepard Fairey. Quantities are limited, so only one order (either signed or unsigned) per person/household is allowed.

A national Hero stamped

Maxime Chaya became a Lebanese Hero when he raised, for the first time in history, his country's flag to the highest point on Planet Earth- Indeed, Lebanon's foremost sportsman and climber, Maxime Chaya was the first person from his country to hoist its flag atop Everest , and he did so en route to ascending the highest mountain on every continent - the Seven Summits- while also skiing to the North and South Poles.

Avid sportsman since childhood, Chaya has been knighted twice for his achievements and got his portrait tagged on a 1000 Lebanese Lira post stamp. He was officially nominated the "SEVEN SUMMITEER" on May 15, '06 after having conquered all 7 Summits, the highest Peak on each Continent---
This is another act of gratitude from the Lebanese government, which hopefully will contribute to remind the Lebanese of Chaya's awesome achievement: a climb that was also stimulated by an urge to trigger awareness and focus on important issues, such as sustainability for a "Small Country with a Big Heart."

Reveal your Mask, Mr...

Reveal your Mask, Mr...
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

A stunning airbrushed piece by a very talented fresh grad in Fine Arts, Elie Zaarour, who designed "Beat The Cancer" illustration for the Beirut Marathon Graf Space set @ The Forum De Beirut during PVD insanely hyped night.
The Graf Space was conceptualised & managed by The Communication Zone for the BMA as a spin-off of its campaign against Cancer & is only Chapter One of a bigger artsy roller coaster sort of entertainment event & art fueled activities within the MAP: the Marathon Art Playground-scheduled for Nov 26-29 in Down Town Beirut at the Marathon village.

Stay tuned for a blast off happening of street culture & urban art set to trigger meaningful interactions, creative dialogues & memorable stories all intended to highlight Beirut's Marathon mission to step down 'Haydak el Marad,' cancer that is.
All marathoners & runners are encouraging us to Run for Hope & ideally help Knock that devastating disease Down.
Let's Do IT, Let's MAP Out Cancer all together...

United colours of Lebanon

Colourful and quite unexpected taglines and designs around Lebanon, Beirut & various social issues made available on diverse products--Shirts, Mugs, Bags, Hats, Thongs, Boxer shorts, Pillows and many more Houseware & Officeware-- all put for sale by Raynbow, the Online Store founded in April 4th 2005 and powered by CafePress.

Items have been classified into categories, where you can search for designs and products 100% Lebanese, or just with an Arabic feel & lettering; there is a category titled country pride items, a quite innovative design approach to tackling social matters, also available beside more classical products filed under Fashion, clock and Lebanese model calendars-- these are cheesy items sort of-- Valentine, so on so forth...

Moreover, and the coolest part --but that is also one of Café Press interesting sides--Raynbow gives the designer, the chance to have your work exposed. If you believe you can be a part of the Raynbow team, and design awkward stuff to promote Lebanon, well feel free to submit your designs & click here. Let us know whenever your design becomes part of the peculiar yet daring Raynbow, store, would be glad to help highlighting unusual but pretty good work from Our Funky Town Lebanon, maybe the funkiest...

It is understood that Raynbow, is a non-profit store, where all the profit from sales and raised funds from donations will be used to cover the store's expenses first, whereas the rest will be donated to non-governmental organisations (NGO) working on human right issues in Lebanon.
Subsequently, by shopping at Raynbow, or by donating to the store ,you will be contributing to empowering human right movements in Lebanon.

Also, for people familiar with the ad industry in Lebanon, Raynbow site has been designed and developed by KALEIDO GRAPHICS.




Click to enlarge & view a selection by Sirdab of Raynbow best pick

Be there comrade

Four poster execution aesthetically enhanced by a great use of typography for the Beluga Bar of Mumbai's Intercontinental Hotel, India; this copy-based campaign has been conceptualised and designed by IBD Hakuhudo Percept, Mumbai.
The ads seem to target the yuppie new Indian elite who love to play the "gauche caviar" card, but with money to spend, who cares about politics!
To paraphrase the popular 80s show "lifestyles of the rich and famous" motto "Vodka wishes and caviar dreams!"

The copy reads:
"The Vodka and Caviar Evenings. From 22nd August - 30th Sept, '08.
At Beluga. Be there comrade."

Chez nous, il y a du talent...et le médiocre aussi!

Bumped into Beirut 001 --a blog from Beirut as its name indicates-- that houses some good visual communications, a witty social design sort of expression.

However, the blog seems to be dusty somehow, in the sense that the last sign of life dates back to...Hold your breath...2006.... & the owner---of what was supposed to be a space to archive some posters & postcards, made in Lebanon by Grabriel F. or whoever is behind Beirut 001---holds other blogs that ain't any active too. Whatever...It's worth a quick visit for whatever is in there...

Out of the (X)box campaign

XBox 360, the console that needs no presentation, is using ecstatic-frenetic, acid-dripped designs in a new, multi-platform Austrian campaign.
As a result, four art pieces with luscious graphics were created (A1 size posters). Additionally, the artworks are used for various forms of advertisement (Promos, ad events, campaigns, retail) within Austria.
Eric Chan (aka Eepmon) narrates on his blog, " Lets go back to several months ago. I was contacted by Thomas Kritsch, marketing director representing XBox 360 Austria who was interested in getting me on board for a collabo."

The collaboration involved XBox 360's 4 themes for their upcoming campaign that will be used throughout the rest of summer and fall of '08 in Austria. " I was given the honourable task to create the branding for XBox 360's 4 themes (Blockbuster Games, Music, Sports and Family)," explains Eepmon. "What a honour it is to be part of the XBox 360 experience. I am very pleased as how the pieces turned out. Every time I look at the 4 posters side-by-side, I look back at all the work I have put into this and to see it finally manifested into the physical brings an extreme satisfaction."

A definite out of the Xbox campaign, effervescent and jolly illustrations for one of the most must-have console games.

Faust 0

Faust 0
Originally uploaded by Icons For Now

Icons for Now
Århus Kunstbygning, Denmark
Curated by Miriam Nielsen and Toke Lykkeberg - 28th of August 2008

Icons for Now shows 10 of the most significant and innovative names on the Danish and international street art scene from the last three decades. These artists have been invited to produce work in dialogue with the city of Århus – it’s architecture and it’s inhabitants.
With the names André alias Monsieur A (FR), Blu (IT), Faust (DK), Herbert Baglione (BR), HuskMitNavn (DK), MissTic (FR), Steve Powers (US), Søren Behncke alias papfar (DK), Victor Ash (P/FR/DK) and Zevs (FR), this exhibition presents a wide selection of some of the most brilliant artists to have come from this scene.
Icons for Now will set a different framework for street artists, their audience and the city in general. Often these artists are invited indoors because they have become recognized artists. We pull them outside again. By doing this Icons for Now presents these artists in their natural environment, however natural that might be.
In a city space which is strictly administered what is needed is not more design, more signs and more billboards, but thought provoking pauses that make an impact.


Photo by Miriam Nielsen
http://www.aarhuskunstbygning.dk/english/

Imagination awakened

Wonderful type design by another talented bubbler from the Redbubble dot community, named Natalie Tyler, a British national who says ♥ ing design and illustration and always up for a good t-shirt challenge to push her out of her comfort zone.
Check more of his graphic design expressions here

SUGAR TRIPTICH

SUGAR TRIPTICH
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

My brown sugar, my best buddy--along with Hug of course--, my chocolate lab's portrait remixed by Sugarpop à la Andy Wharol poppy style...

A designer with a conscience

While surfing the redbubble.com online art community, stumbled across one creative member of this Australian based site, who goes by the name of Flux, and writes about his social and environmental concerns, which are expressed through his intelligent designs.
Frank Stillitano, age 30 is a graphic designer from Adelaide, South Australia who does some freelance work "and the odd job for a private client," as he puts it. "I love the flexibility of, and the diversity enabled by, working this way."
If you are an individual interested in associating your creative juices with another of your 'genre,' Stillitano says "always looking to collaborate with other designers." His turn-ons are the things like the arts, especially typography & design, film, architecture and theater.

The 'Global' issues
As of his greatest concerns, it revolves around two main issues: increasing global emphasis on profits at the expense of humanity and global warming and the impact this will have on the lives of my children.
Hence, he is "using the skills I have acquired (or been given) to improve the future."
And that is Stillitano's drive who asserts, "Design for me is not about winning awards or being accepted, it is about creating something new, effective and interesting, regardless of the genre."
You can check some of his best designs--that are also on sale by clicking here

Beirut Alive N' Kickin'

Beirut Alive N' Kickin'
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

The latest in street art from Lebanon, where indeed Beirut is alive, rockin' & Kickin' big time...
Here is Rami aka El Mou3alim, one of the best graffiti artists in town, tagging his faith in the city; this wall reads, "Beirut Ma Betmoot" meaning, Beirut won't ever die...TAGGED & APPROVED by Sirdab ;0)

Let's promote Peace

let's promote IT
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Branding by Impact BBDO Beirut for the Peace SWING event by ArabAd magazine where the first edition of the poster design contest for the Middle East was unveiled throughout a unique arful celebration.
For more check out the blog dedicated to this whole project initiated by ArabAd & Artlounge gallery, Here

Yes, We Can!

In partnership with StickerRobot, Munk One designed a brand new Obama sticker form! It's wonderful how art & politics usually marry quite well.

After notorious Shepard Fairey and the rapidly sold out triptich [HOPE, CHANGE, PROGRESS] he made for Obama, here is the latest artistic support from MUNK ONE a.k.a. Jose A. Mercado, a contemporary American Illustrator and Fine artist, who is most noted for creating Artwork for many bands.
Munk’s fine art paintings in gallery shows have gained much attention with no signs of slowing. He has also moved into producing Art for clothing companies such as Upper Playground, False idols, Tribal Gear and True love.
Munk’s Art ranges from political to fun bright and whimsical to dark and grotesque and sometimes a mixture of all three.

Munk 0ne have previously created a design for the Hope Campaign, which was seen at bus stops all over Pennsylvania before the primaries and was sold as a limited edition screen printed poster and sticker design, which have long since sold out.

So for those who are looking for more Munk One / Obama Art or simply for more Obama art stuff [like me],
here is a new “YES WE CAN.”

Barak Obama is the future and 'oh so' positive change many are already hoping for.
"Yes we can!" has become a somehow popular chant, specially during Obama' s rallies and most recently [Thursday August 28] at Invesco Field, where Obama's partisans witnessed his presidential nomination acceptance.
YES YOU CAN OBY, JUST KEEP ROLLIN'...JUST SHOOT in THE BUSH!

BTW, MADE 2 POP VISUALS THAT I SENT TO THE FUTURE PRESIDENT, U CAN CHECK THEM OUT HERE

Go to Hell

London artist Eelus has only been producing graffiti art for two years, But in those two years he has achieved what many artists only dream of. After moving to London three years ago and seeing how the city had been turned into a big blank canvas Eelus was instantly attracted to the urban art movement. He saw his perfect chance to get his work out of his sketchbooks and out there for a wider audience.

Over the last 2 years Eelus has sold hundreds of prints along side Banksy, Invader and many more big names. His best selling print to date was the "Shat at". We will see big things from this artist over the next few years.

Hand sprayed stencil deep stretched canvas by Eelus. Edition of 10. Signed and numbered in hand by the artist.

"I also love the subversiveness of it all, the powers that be see us as criminals, vandals making a mess of their grey landscape, so there's that excitement element to it. That rush you get when you're out there at god knows what time in the morning, about to spray a piece that you've poured your heart into for X amount of hours, just to make this dull environment more engaging and entertaining, i reckon the majority of the public would be on our side anyway to be honest."

Uniting Artists Through Crime

Uniting Artists through Crime (UAC) exhibit features the collaborative work of a handful of artists’ from around the world.
The mission of UAC was bring to Texas a large body of work from innovators worldwide of the current new street art movement; hence, allowing the public to experience the many movements of art as presented by these innovative artists.
Work on display includes the often hard to acquire work of established artists, and new work from emerging talents. Exhibited work comes from locals in SA, Austin, Houston and from major metropolitan centers around the world including New York, DC, California, Spain, Russia, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada.
Check out more pix here or here

peace in colours by responsible designers

peace in colors
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

The Peace sign has turned 50 this year.
ArabAd magazine has recently launched its first poster design contest for the Middle East around the notion of peace and as a tribute to its symbol.
All details are here; there is also a Flickr group here...
SALAM to all peace jammers around the world..
PLEASE KEEP THE PEACE ROLLIN', WAR ISN'T AN OPTION...

tarararam

The cedar tree of the Lebanese flag is the national symbol of Lebanon, eternity and life. As our country gets shaped over the decades by never ending conflicts, maybe it’s time to replace our headstrong cedar with a curling winding twisting spiral. (tarararam) (music of the Lebanese National Anthem).
By Wael Morcos from The Place.

Continue reading here

COKE ROCKS 8x

This is An artistic and cultural exchange like no other and the latest from Coke, Operation~: Coca Cola’s WE8 Project.

What is it all about?
Uniting eight of China's most interesting artists and design firms, and eight of the West's most exciting artists and design firms, and eight of the West's most progressive musicians to interpret the ideas and passions that connect us all--by sharing and expressing one of eight themes:
Happiness; Active; Human collaboration; Peace on Earth; Individual perseverance, Healthy world; Uplifting moments; Global Harmony.

To search out an answer to the questions:
What opens your heart?
What does good fortune look like?
What makes you smile?
What fuels your desire?
How do you live in Harmony with the environment?
What do you wish for the world?
What makes you happiest?

The result?
The result is we8: A vision and soundtrack that celebrates the infinite possibilities that await us when the doors are flung wide-from East to West, from culture, from me to you.
Some of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous soda packaging bottles ever seen. The eight bottles are already circulating in various markets, and collectors are already rushing to get their hands on these unique Coke limited edition bottles.
The vision and soundtrack are available now "for a whole new world living on the Coke Side of Life."

Moreover, Coca Cola is giving you the opportunity to design your own?
Yep, Coke allows you to input your own designs for others to check out and assess.
Many creations are already on the roll, and you can check it all out at we8.coca-cola.com

============================================================================
The Peace on Earth Bottle was created by Joyn Viscom.

'Peace = lotus + bottle. Red balloons and white birds morphing from origami airplanes symbolize the message of peace. As messengers, the four children in white are sending the message of peace to people from all over the world.'

The Happiness Bottle was created by Wang Xu.

'The Haha mirror shows happiness you can see. Hahaha is the sound of someone laughing, full of happiness.'

The Uplifting Moments Bottle was created by MeWe.

'Now, we are trying to put imagination back to the aluminum bottle. With the gemstones, when the Coca-Cola logo faces you, you discover the word ‘happy.’ And the butterfly bottle symbolizes beauty and the most uplifting moment when its transformation takes place.'

The Human Collaboration Bottle was created by Milkxhake.

'Coming from all over the world yet sharing the same sky, we start everything with a loving heart, so that our world will be even more beautiful.'

The Active Optimism Bottle was created by Chen Shao-hua.

'Nothing visual can fully represent the multi-faceted meanings of happiness. But the artist turned to popular text messaging and his blog to ask to young Chinese people: What words say happiness to you? He then selected 8, 4-character words, which most represent the idea of happiness among young people, and placed the words in the mouth of the laughing Bodhisattva—a traditionally hilarious Chinese symbol.'

The Individual Perseverance Bottle was created by Jiang Hua.

'The horizontally extending pattern is actually Coca-Cola in Chinese characters. They are used to wrap around the bottle. Customers in China might be able to guess its meaning. The geometric pattern also reminds the user of the organic shape of the Coke bottle.'

It's all the same

This is part of an exhibition entitled FREE FOR WALL! part 2 that took place couple of months ago [11th - 28th July] following FREE FOR WALL part I, were The Brick Lane gallery invites street artists to submit work and then go on a show/exhibit with live spray paint performances.

The Artists included were people & collective such as 'Agent Provocateur', Carlos Zuniga-Andrighetti, Ben Lawson, 'Data Done', 'Jen', Max Wiedemann, 'Part2ism', 'R1', Rodrigo Souto, 'Since'...

These visuals are of the 'reflections' series by Finbarr Notte.

The Brick Lane Gallery has been building a strong selection of artists for Free For Wall! Part 3 exhibition, including very new faces from all over the world, as far as Brazil.

The Tunnel

This is tunnel, where the best street artists of the world, gathered for spray street battle.
A photo that constitutes a piece of art by itself.
Found on Pure Evil's site.

Urban taggin' -3 MUST HAVE BOOKS

Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers by Sacha Jenkins, David (Chino) Villorente

Publisher: Prestel USA (April 30, 2008)

Original in concept and design, this living history of the graffiti movement mimics the actual sketchbooks graffiti artists use to perfect their work before it goes public. Before it hits the wall, graffiti is often painstakingly planned out in a sketchbook or piece book. Well-worn and dog-eared, these books are passed along from artist to artist as a way of sharing ideas and offering instruction. Here hundreds of drawings, most of them never before published, are reproduced on uncoated paper to resemble the pages of an authentic piecebook. Bold and beautiful works from graffiti history s most important sources or seeds Zephyr, Dondi, Daze, CRASH, Lady Pink, T-Kid, CAP and Ghost, among others represent a dizzying array of techniques. The authors, former graffiti practitioners themselves, offer biographies of the artists and an introductory essay on why piecebooks have become such valuable historical records. Fans of graffiti will find this an irresistible inside look at how their favorite artists perfected their talents.

==================================================================

Street World: Urban Art and Culture from Five Continents Around the Globe

by Roger Gastman, Caleb Neelon, and Anthony Smyrski

The authors of Street World have put together this rich collection showcasing over 1,000 images and authoritative text, highlighting street art and life in cultural hot spots around the globe. Street World: Urban Art and Culture from Five Continents Around the Globe follows skateboarders in Japan, hunts down graffiti artists in San Paolo, Brazil, and exposes the newest Pakistani truck artwork in the world.
At almost 500 pages, this book, with its rare images and in-depth commentary, is sure to become a staple in libraries of any true street art fan.
==================================================================
SOON TO GET PUBLISHED-PRE-ORDER IT NOW!

Written On The City: Graffiti Messages Worldwide
Axel Albin, Josh Kamler
Publisher: How (September 2, 2008)

Newsweek, Aug. 18-25, 2008
"Poignant ... funny ... thought-provoking ..."

Written on the City is a glimpse into a vast conversation happening illegally and in public. All over the world, people are writing messages on the walls and sidewalks of the cities in which we live. They are staying up late, breaking the law, and taking risks to say something to you. Some of it is funny. Some of it is beautiful. Lots of it is upsetting, crazy, and brilliant at the same time. And all of it is important. This book continues that conversation through the eyes of photographers who recognized the importance of those words on the walls and shared them with us.

THE JOKER

HEATH LEDGER / THE JOKER CMYKrink by PURE EVIL

C-Type print on Fuji Archival paper - 36" by 24"

Signed edition of 100 and is worth £250

Pop & Bang

Hand drawn using inks and markers on Saunders & Waterford paper, this is one of a kind original canvas. [Size 56x76 cm.]

Born and raised in the North East of England, Toad is one of an emerging breed of contemporary image-makers… He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2005 with a first class honour in Graphical Communication. He has been surviving on his creative skills ever since, working between Newcastle, Sheffield and London. This is one incredibly busy artist who you can expect to see a lot more from in the near future!

The dark humour and graphic narrative of his work draws inspiration from comic books, B movies, current affairs, the human condition…etc.

A few words from the toad himself.

“I create images much like a DJ creates tunes - both creating and sampling, mashing styles and fusing genres into new visual flavours, layering meanings and constantly experimenting, evolving and progressing”

Fresh paint ...

Fresh paint ...
Originally uploaded by tofz4u

Street art by Jef Aerosol...this is IT!

Happiness Is a Warm Gun

Happiness Is a Warm Gun
Originally uploaded by <Irit>

Not a piece of cake

Not a piece of cake
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

One of the poster designs submitted to ArabAd peace poster contest.
For more about the results, visit IF WE CAN'T MAKE PEACE title of ArabAd's first edition of the Middle Easter poster design challenge, all on Flickr group.

ultraman

ultraman
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

RETHINK REFRESH REMIX YOUR MIND. I'd rather have a 961 beer, instead of a Heineken...Am an ULTRAWOMAN though who likes ULTRA MAN, R U THERE?

Swing graffiti

Swing graffiti
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

FEVER & FISH @ THE SWING, la voile Rmeyleh South Lebanon

Celebrating 50 years of PEACE-sign

Nada Borji-8
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

“The 100+ posters submitted for ArabAd peace poster design contest reflect the diversity of religions and beliefs in the communications industry and the Arab community at large and we believe we have succeeded in addressing responsible design in a creative approach,” asserted Walid Azzi, Publisher of ArabAd.
The posters received for ArabAd magazine poster design contest demonstrated the sheer power of the peace symbol, the peace imagery and the extraordinary visual vocabulary the peace sign continues to inspire 50 years later....
For more about ArabAd Peace Poster Design Contest & Exhibit/Show
visit:
ArabAd Peace poster contest, THE BLOG
flickr/mabulle


here is Nada Borji's poster submission and top 8 in the final selection winner pick...Borji's is an architect at Solidere company in Beirut.

;0) ...a little secret here...that's my dad, Walid's fav among all...Here was a scoop..:0)

ashekman

ashekman
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

graffiti work from Beirut...good stuff!!

There is horror in my work...

"There is horror in my work, a kind of cinematic narrative where the good guy always loses. There is a duplicity where cuteness and evil coexist behind the saccharine façade of a comic-book character or a much loved fast food restaurant. I am reflecting a world in trouble, a heaving dying fur-seal of an earth that is being repeatedly clubbed with baton-sized television remote controls. The drips that melt down the canvas are nods to an immense self-destructing machine made up of endless icons, logos and expressions that are the infected medical waste of the 20 th century.

At first it is a feeling of wanting to express this consumerist, pop-culture Armageddon that we are a part of, but I realize I have no choice, as, like you I have been given the responsibility of its maintenance and I never flipped through the instruction book (if there ever was one).

Any second now, any second now – we’ll all wake up."

-Ben Frost

===========================================================================

Ben Frost's work fuses logos, comic book characters and corporate mascots together into sometimes irreverent yet always playful statements on the nature of today's society.
He has worked and exhibited in Japan, Europe and across the USA. Frost's work has appeared in many magazines such as Vogue, Australian Art Collector and Harper's Bazar; and his commissioned work includes Nokia, Mambo, Tiger Beer, Livid and Warner Records

The philosophy of Obey

The Philosophy of Obey (Obey Giant) is said to be "one of the fundamental texts of 21st Century aesthetics - short, bold, candid, puzzling and remarkable in its power to stir the imagination of philosophers and artists alike.”

Philosophy of Obey is the only artistic — philosophical work that Obey has published during its campaign.
Written in short, carefully numbered sentences of extremely revealing candor, it is certain to capture the imagination of a generation of Street Artists and philosophers. For Obey, discourse is something used to examine reality, which is in itself both elusive and unobtainable.
Shepard of Obey famously summarised this book in the following words:

“I aim to bring something new to every artwork.”

The work is prefaced by Sarah Jaye Williams introduction to the first edition.
Sarah Jaye Williams has followed all Obey's art and ideas throughout Shepard Fairey's career.
She has compiled quotes for the “Philosophy of Obey” book by meticulously reading hundreds of his articles and interviews. These quotes touch on a broad range of topics and show the evolution of Fairey's positions over the years.
"There is humour, irreverence, hope, pessimism, anger, jubilation, and even maybe some wisdom mixed in with all the potentially contradictory thoughts and emotions," comments Shepard Fairey about the book.

The Philosophy of Obey (Obey Giant): The Formative Years (1989 - 2008) by Sarah Jaye Williams (NerveBooks - UK)
Three (3) Versions of the book are available at nervebooks.net; Comprehensive, Volume I and Volume II
Obey Giant (1989 – 2008). Regarded by many as one of the most significant street art campaigns.

Pink, Orange, and Yellow Sheets

One of the many ways in which a royalty-free art book can be used!

The below photos display an installation of over 180 graphics from the new book, "Reproduce & Revolt" (Soft Skull Press/Counterpoint; 978-0-9796636-1-1). All images in the book are copyright free and were reproduced via xerox on neon-colored paper. The more than 150 sheets of paper were manually tacked in about 8 hours of time! Special thanks to my buddies Ray Hernandez and Leticia Hernandez for helping me with this great task!!

The photo shows Reproduce and Revolt's co-editor, Favianna Rodriguez and Ray Hernandez.

The piece is part of the book release party happening this weekend in Los Angeles, CA.

Photo by Favianna Rodriguez

YES! Posters are crucial

They needed strong pro-immigrant and migrant art to confront the multitude of images of disempowerment given by daily media.

The Taller Tupac Amaru got set out to meet this need; by enlisting the help of artists, art enthusiasts and movement supporters this past May 2008.
The Taller Tupac Amaru's mission is to produce and distribute screenprinted political posters and to foster a resurgence in the screenprinting medium.

Jesus Barraza, Melanie Cervantes, Dylan Miner and Artemio Rodriguez under the leadership of fellow artist Favianna Rodriguez set out to produce of FIVE empowering posters for the international immigrant rights movement.
This type of collaboration and support given by a vast network of people was crucial in order to place 10,000 posters into the hands of hundreds immigrant right activists around the globe, and the thousands of people they help organize.

A historic gathering brought together over 300 migrant leaders from the US and Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America this May 2008, in Mexico City, to form a global association of remitters and their families.
The event is said to have helped consolidate remitters’ economic and political power and gave them the space to define an agenda for the sustainable economic development of migrant communities.
The conference was convened by TIGRA (Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action).

YES! Posters are crucial for today’s immigrant rights movement!

They printed EACH poster in a run of 2000 via offset and freely distribute them to the organisations attending the gathering. The posters will reach cities around the globe, so that they may introduce new and inspiring concepts about what it means to be an immigrant in the 21st century. They forged partnerships with over 20 individual donors, whose generosity made this project possible.

This ambitious project was advanced by the collective power, action and love of many, many people all of whom are part of the immigrant rights movement.

The Gun & the Gaze

Shirin Neshat's "Women of Allah" photo series:

There is a palpable energy in Shirin Neshat's photographs, an almost tangible seduction obviating the violence it borders, deeply rooted in the historical culture she would ultimately have to call "home."

Born in Iran in 1957, photographer and installation/film artist Neshat came to the United States as a student in 1974. She remained away from Iran throughout the revolution, until her first visit back in 1990. This trip, and the visits that followed, catalysed her exploration of Westernisation, Islam, gender roles, martyrdom, and censorship against the backdrop of her birth country.

Her stark yet stunning black-and-white photography series "Women of Allah" wherein her models (often herself) are clothed in the iconographic chador, Farsi calligraphy, and weapons won her international acclaim.

Neshat followed this success with a series of installation video and film projects that are often mounted on two screens in enclosed spaces, gripping the audience in visual and aural experience. Less specific to the revolution, these metaphorical, unconventional and performative narratives employ Islamic/Eastern references and other archetypes to explore power dynamics, isolation, societal forces, autobiography, and exile. Throughout her work, Neshat not only redefines the critical boundaries of her art but expands the viewer's capacity to contemplate ideas of universal significance.

iCommunist

icommunist
Originally uploaded by Leftist Egyptian - يساري مصري (Graphics)

iResist

iResist
Originally uploaded by Leftist Egyptian - يساري مصري (Graphics)

iPod' s ads subverted by a brilliant Egyptian designer, nicknamed Al yassary, the leftist. check out his social and political graphic design work; it's worth it!!

May Flower

Jef Aérosol 2008 - "May Flower"
Originally uploaded by Jef Aerosol

Ce n'est qu'un début..Continuons le combat!...


"May Flower" has been designed by Jef Aérosol - 2008 -

MAZAJ BEIRUT

MAZAJ BEIRUT
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Beirut mood swings are perfectly reflected on the city walls, which is tagged with amazing, colourful & strident graffiti.
Shot by sugarpop, some of the walls speak loud the artists' mind & heart.
Explosive street art! check it by yourself...

Graffiti by Kabrit

Graffiti by Kabrit
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Sirdab's latest street art photo shoot in the city of Beirut

Hoody man

Banksy
Originally uploaded by Romanywg

A graffiti by Banksy at the Cans Festival, past May in London. Love that one, reminds me of another I love too, by French stencil artist Blek le Rat..
Will post it in a sec...

The Cans Festival

"Graffiti belongs to everyone and no one. On a section of a condemned wall, I put up a graffito. . . (A) bank director stopped the construction work, had my carving cut out as a fresco and inlayed it in the wall of his apartment."
- Pablo Picasso

Art is Art & Street Art is Art plus

Modern graffiti has its roots in 1970s African-American hip-hop culture, in which graffiti "tags" the term for the heavily stylised signatures and symbols that compose a lot of graffiti, were a form of vandalism and protest, a declaration of personal and cultural identity, and a way to reclaim neglected spaces.
Now practiced as much by white skate-punks as by black youth, some graffiti has achieved remarkable beauty and skill—even making it into art galleries—while remaining vandalism in most places.

The Cans Festival, a stencil art street battle, took place last month in the Leake Street of London, where a line-up of renowned graffiti artists made the street explode with colours and powerful social messages. The event dubbed the Cans Festival, which took place in the UK, grabbed the attention of a wide audience.
The disused road tunnel, in South London, was turned into a giant exhibition space, for some of the world's graffiti artists who dabbled with their paints in front of an enchanted enthusiastic audience. The in a half-mile stretch of the tunnel in Leake Street, Waterloo was transformed from a dark forgotten corner to a cutting edge exhibition space, with stencil graffiti on the walls and 3D art installations. Artists who took part are the reference in their field. To name a few, Blek le Rat, Pure Evil, Jef Aerosol, Banksy, Logan Hicks, Eelus, as well as members of the public, who were also invited to join. The pictures featured in this page speak loud the kind of atmosphere that prevailed at this major street art event.

McMurder

McMurder
Originally uploaded by Idiot The Wise ~ AkA: INSPIRE

Another design aimed at shooting the M...
Great!

muah..

muah..
Originally uploaded by Mohamed Eissa (Graphics)

Love the colours of this bus of Love...Arriving on a red carpet...
Sweet light feel springs out from this visual...
Vroom Vroom... Let's Go Sweet Light on the Bus of Love...

The Tate Innovates...

Design by Edel Rodriguez

THE TATE MODERN'S STREET ART EXHIBITION

The label Street Art has been used since the late Seventies, and the work, by its very nature, is in constant flux and hard to categorise. Broadly speaking the term has come to define the more visual and engaging urban art as opposed to text-based graffiti and tagging.
Today & for the first time ever, the Tate Modern --The Tate Modern in London is Britain's national museum of international modern art-- has commissioned artists to paint the facade of its building along the Thames, signaling the project as the first major public museum display of Street Art in London.

Street Art at Tate Modern brings to the fore an important aspect of current art practice and one that has influenced acclaimed artists, including Basquiat and Picasso.
So finally, street art gets a major recognition by an institution that could hardly be topped, in terms of established art: The Tate Modern of London. The works of six internationally acclaimed artists will be presented to tag the museum's façade.
The artists are: Blu from Bologna, Italy; the artist collective Faile from New York, USA; JR from Paris, France; Nunca and Os Gemeos, both from Sao Paulo, Brazil and Sixeart from Barcelona, Spain. All six artists are represented in major collections around the world and regularly shown in gallery exhibitions and biennales; but their work began in public urban spaces and remains indebted to Street Art and graffiti traditions.

Street Art at Tate Modern opened at the same time as Tate Modern’s four day festival of art and performance, where 'The Street Art Walking Tour,' an urban tour of specific art sites around the city is scheduled and presented by a group of five Madrid-based artists: 3TTMan, Spok, Nano 4814, El Tono and Nuria.
In addition to that unexpected yet eclectic & formidable happening at Tate, an interactive evening with experimental New York artists, Graffiti Research Lab, is set to reface the Tate Modern with graffiti light projections. Street Art at Tate Modern running through 23 May-August 25th 2008 at Tate Modern, Bankside London SE1 9TG.

Exclusive photos by Sirdab correspondent: Gina Mansour

A1one in Abu Ghraib

A1one in VISUAL SLANG 2008
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland

So Sad...So True...A1one again...
Ingenious Iranian Street Artist!! Am charmed...Totally charmed...
A1one in Beirut, anytime soon??

Shoot d M

A10ne again from Tehran - in Bull's eye!!

A1one in VISUAL SLANG 2008
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland

Posted on Flickr by M_I_R_I

On a wall in Berlin, another artist subverting the giant corporation's logo that goes under the letter M & that seems to bother each & everyone because of its size; but mostly, there is nothing greater than the M to represent capitalism; an M stronger than the definition of capitalism itself!!

to Talk Show call

to Talk Show call
Originally uploaded by wackystuff

Indeed, Enjoy & much more!!

ROCK REGGAE OBAMA

Obama rocks reggae - a remix of Shepard Fairey's Progress poster of Barack Obama, by sugarpop -
Rock on OBY!! Fairey you rock as well; you're a communication giant, keep us rockin'!!
For more, click here

Blek Le Rat: Getting Through the Walls

An inspiring piece by French stencil artist Blek le Rat